Venice - Guggenheim?

Old May 14th, 2013, 10:44 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Venice - Guggenheim?

After a week of historical Italy, we are finishing our trip in October with a day and a half in Venice (that's all we could afford.) I love modern art but would like to hear from others who have visited the Venice Guggenheim. Since we have minimal time is it worth spending our precioius time? How long should/could we devote to it. My wife is not a big fan but she's willing to go since I'm all excited about it.
oldsteve is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 11:13 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well, I really liked it. I think it was relatively small, we spent a 1/2 day there (maybe 3 hours?). My husband and I both like modern art, and were glad we spent the time.

The Accademia is great too, of course. So if you can only fit in one museum, its a tough call.
china_cat is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 11:26 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Guggenheim is one of my favorite museums. Not only is the collection of modern art amazing, you get a sense of how Peggy lived in her palazzo, surrounded by her art collection. The garden area is quite beautiful and peaceful, there is interesting sculpture to view, but also the graves of her beloved dogs. Yoko Ono's "wish tree" is truly a living art installation (it is an olive tree) whereby the viewer can write a wish on scraps of provided paper and hang them in the tree.

The front gates are amazing and I never tire of admiring them while walking by. I love the heavy chunks of colored glass entwined in the branch-like metal. Then there is the terrace on the Grand Canal, what a view. There sits another interesting and provocative sculpture, a male figure astride a horse with his "member" fully at attention. Apparently this "member" could be unscrewed so as not to offend on particular occasions.

There is a cafe there for a light lunch or snack if you wish and the neighborhood is lovely.
cicchettigirl is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 11:27 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We've been once each to both the Guggenheim and the Accademia on 3 trips to Venice. With only a day and a half, I would not necessarily suggest visiting either as there are so many other things to see and do in Venice. We like St. Marks and the Doges Palace, the Rialto Market and the Frari Church. For a museum, decide between the Guggenheim (modern art) and the Accademia (mostly religious art). We actually prefer the Scoula Grande de San Rocco but you can't go wrong.
mamcalice is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 11:31 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, it's wonderful. My daughter and I loved it. It's a small but remarkable collection and the building itself (right on the canal) is a revelation.

I'd go there again. I think it was no more than a 2-hour visit for us - could have been shorter. I'm an artist, I don't read or examine everything, but I spend time looking at the work I love. It really is small and totally worthwhile.
rosetravels is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 11:32 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am a fan of modern who is especially interested in Max Ernst and I was quite disappointed in the museum (partly because the collection is not great to begin with, partly because the house has been gutted and the shell converted to a conventional museum gallery. It no longer resembles a home).

However, the museum is quite small, so I say go for it. If your wife is the least bit bored, she can enjoy the terrace view of the Grand Canal, which is the highlight of the place as far as I am concerned. If you are both bored, a walk through the neighborhood is quite nice, and there are several modern art galleries in the Dorsoduro and elsewhere in Venice that are more interesting. No one will make you stay in the museum just because you paid to get in.

Having heard and read that the cafe was good, I made the mistake of eating an overpriced and sub'standard lunch there. I recommend dining elsewhere.
stevewith is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 12:08 PM
  #7  
ekc
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am not a fan of modern art and I loved the Guggenheim. The garden is great and standing on the terrace overlooking the canal is wonderful. It won't take you long and I recommend it.
ekc is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 06:08 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
It is one of my favourite places in the world, let alone in Venice.

I could sit and stare at the Joseph Cornell boxes for hours. I get the shivers just thinking
about them.

There is an absolutely glorious Chagall on display, too.

And, of course, you must see Angel of the City. It is the icon of Venice.

I have a photograph of the sculpture on my wall.

Compare Angel to the usual generals and kings you see immortalized in piazzas all over Italy.


Accademia does have the knock-your-socks-off Tempest by Giorgione, however.

Enjoy the city of Tintoretto, Guardi, and Tiepolo.


Thin
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old May 14th, 2013, 06:17 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Guggenheim is an easy museum to enjoy and part of that pleasure is the history of Peggy Guggenheim and her friendships with the artists whose art she collected . However, if this is your 1st visit to Venice, I, personally, would stay out of museums, as Venice, itself is a fabulous museum! My husband and I go to Venice just about every year. Piazza San Marco, the San Giorgio tower at sunset , Campo Santa Margherita, the Rialto Fish Market, the veggie boat next to Campo San Barnaba, endless.....even just hopping in and out of the churches where there is some incredible art...chiesa dei Frari, one example. The Carmini church off Campo Santa Margherita , San Rocco is another. Easy to go in, be inspired by Veronese, Bellini, Tintoretto, Guardi, etc, while making your way to theses various churches through wonderful lively campos without spending time in a museum. Especially if this is your 1st time in Venice and because you are there for such a very short visit..
giannetta is offline  
Old May 15th, 2013, 06:18 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
If you can only see one church in Venice, it should be the Frari.

I do agree with Gianetta, however, that if you have a limited time in Venice you should spend it wandering the canals, eating cicchetti, drinking Aperol spritzes, and immersing yourself in the atmosphere of Venice.

The most beautiful campo in Venice is San Giacomo dell'Orio.

I also love wandering the alleys around Arsenale.


Have fun!


Thin
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old May 15th, 2013, 08:45 PM
  #11  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't know if this will help, but FWIW, I am not that great a fan of modern art, and found the collection (not surprisingly) a bit too heavy on Ernst and other similar artists for my tastes, but I loved the setting and the courtyard/sculpture garden. The collection is small and can be seen in a relatively short time.

Hope that helps!
kja is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ssander
Europe
26
Jun 6th, 2016 03:10 PM
carl170
Europe
19
Feb 23rd, 2016 05:23 PM
PalenQ
Europe
4
Apr 9th, 2007 09:14 AM
dflawyer
Europe
7
Jun 5th, 2003 08:01 AM
Dean
Europe
42
Aug 13th, 2002 05:31 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -