Guggenheim Hermitage Museum
{{Short description|Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada}}
{{Infobox museum
| name = Guggenheim Hermitage Museum ("The Jewel Box")
| image = The Las Vegas Guggenheim, at the Venetian.jpg
| image_upright =
| caption= Venetian exterior with banners advertising the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, 2005
| alt=
| map_type =
| map_caption=
| map_alt=
| map_size=
| coordinates =
| established = {{start date|2001|10|7}}
| dissolved = {{end date|2008|5|11}}
| location = The Venetian, {{nowrap|Las Vegas, Nevada}}
| type =
| collection =
| visitors = 1.1 million
| owner = Guggenheim Foundation
}}
The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum was a museum owned and originally operated by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. It was located in The Venetian resort on the Las Vegas Strip, and operated from October 7, 2001, to May 11, 2008.
The Guggenheim Hermitage was the result of a collaboration agreement between the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, and its exhibitions featured works held by both institutions. The Guggenheim Hermitage, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, included {{convert|7660|sqft|abbr=on}} of space. The museum was host to 10 exhibitions during its operation, featuring the work of leading artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet.
The Venetian took over the museum's operations in 2007, before closing it the following year. It attracted 1.1 million visitors throughout its history, with 95 percent of them being tourists. Lack of community support, as well as competition from the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, contributed to the closure.
History
In 2000, the Venetian resort in Las Vegas entered negotiations with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation about hosting an art exhibition at the resort.{{cite news |last=Simpson |first=Jeff |title=Bellagio, Venetian ready to deal in art |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jul-15-Sat-2000/news/13972068.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 15, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010910161812/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jul-15-Sat-2000/news/13972068.html |archive-date=September 10, 2001}}{{cite news |last=Clarke |first=Norm |title=Major art deal could be a signature away |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Sep-15-Fri-2000/news/14358601.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 15, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010628071011/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Sep-15-Fri-2000/news/14358601.html |archive-date=June 28, 2001}} Guggenheim director Thomas Krens had initially rejected the Venetian's proposal, finding it to be "tacky". However, he was convinced of its viability after touring the nearby Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.{{cite news |title=Las Vegas gets Guggenheim |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/10/08/Las-Vegas-gets-Guggenheim/5691002513600/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=UPI |date=October 8, 2001}} A deal was announced later in 2000 which saw Guggenheim partnering with the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.{{cite news |title=Art: I, Guggenheim, take you, State Hermitage, to show art in Vegas |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/art-i-guggenheim-take-you-state-hermitage-to-show-art-in-vegas/QXOK57PRD7O66XZRNGCEVKPPA4/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=November 4, 2000}}
The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum opened at the Venetian on October 7, 2001,{{cite news |last=Ouroussoff |first=Nicolai |title=A Cultural Gamble |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-06-ca-53978-story.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 6, 2001}} along with a second resort museum, the Guggenheim Las Vegas. The latter operated from October 2001 to January 2003, showcasing The Art of the Motorcycle in a {{convert|63700|sqft|abbr=on}} building.{{cite news |last=White |first=Ken |title=Motorcycle Exhibit: Art on Two Wheels |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-07-Sun-2001/news/17082664.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 7, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220173735/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-07-Sun-2001/news/17082664.html |archive-date=February 20, 2002}}{{cite news |last=Twardy |first=Chuck |title=Remembering the Guggenheim |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2013/dec/12/remembering-guggenheim/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=December 12, 2013}} The {{convert|7660|sqft|abbr=on}} Guggenheim Hermitage was designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, who also designed the larger facility.{{cite news |last=Bohlen |first=Celestine |title=Guggenheim and Hermitage to Marry in Las Vegas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/20/us/guggenheim-and-hermitage-to-marry-in-las-vegas.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=October 20, 2000}}{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Venetian Museums of Art: A Tasteful Contrast |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-07-Sun-2001/news/17170305.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 7, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020618210229/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-07-Sun-2001/news/17170305.html |archive-date=June 18, 2002}} The Guggenheim Hermitage consisted of four gallery rooms,{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Edward |title=Guggenheim Hermitage, Las Vegas |url=https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/art-talk/guggenheim-hermitage-las-vegas |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=KCRW |date=October 16, 2001}} and was nicknamed the "Jewel Box", while the Guggenheim Las Vegas was alternatively known as the "Big Box".{{cite news |last=McGee |first=Kimberley |title=Up and running: Guggenheim, Hermitage museums finally debut |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/oct/04/up-and-running-guggenheim-hermitage-museums-finall/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 4, 2001}}{{cite news |last=Goodale |first=Gloria |title=Art movement |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2001/1019/p13s1-alar.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=October 19, 2001}}
Initial visitation was disappointing, according to Guggenheim.{{cite news |last=Bohlen |first=Celestine |title=Retrenching Guggenheim Closes Hall In Las Vegas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/24/arts/retrenching-guggenheim-closes-hall-in-las-vegas.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=December 24, 2002}} The museum faced competition from the Bellagio art gallery, and also struggled with a lack of community support. Its location on the Las Vegas Strip made it undesirable among locals,{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |title=Guggenheim Hermitage still in the game |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/oct/23/guggenheim-hermitage-still-in-the-game/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 23, 2005}}{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |title=Commentary: Can Las Vegans learn the art of appreciation? |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2007/aug/14/commentary-can-las-vegans-learn-the-art-of-appreci/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 14, 2007}} with tourists making up approximately 95 percent of attendees. Visitation was also hurt by the economic impact of the September 11 attacks. In 2003, discussions began between the Venetian and the museum to improve on-site advertising.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Chris |title=Official restates faith in Venetian museum |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/May-16-Fri-2003/business/21333246.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 16, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229033859/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/May-16-Fri-2003/business/21333246.html |archive-date=December 29, 2004}} As of 2005, the mall received an average of 200,000 visitors each year.{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |date=2008-04-13 |title=Art museums on the Strip: Why only one survives |work=Las Vegas Sun |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/13/art-museums-strip-why-only-one-survives/ |access-date=2022-02-17}} The Venetian took over museum operations in 2007, while Guggenheim and Hermitage continued to loan art to the facility.{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |title=Venetian to take over museum operations |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2007/feb/27/venetian-to-take-over-museum-operations/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 27, 2007}} It eventually closed on May 11, 2008, having received approximately 1.1 million visitors throughout its history, with attendance declining in the final two years. The $15 admission fee was waived during the final month of operation. Its closure left the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art as the only art facility on the Strip.{{cite news |last=Lieberman |first=Paul |title=Staying in Vegas? Not the Guggenheim |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-guggenheim19apr19-story.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 19, 2008}}{{cite news |last=Hawthorne |first=Christopher |title=Another Vegas marriage is annulled |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-13-et-vegas13-story.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 13, 2008}}
=Exhibitions=
The Guggenheim Hermitage hosted 10 exhibitions during its operation.{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |title=Vegas, say goodbye to Guggenheim |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/10/vegas-say-goodbye-guggenheim/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 10, 2008}} Upon opening, the museum showcased 45 notable paintings from both the Guggenheim and Hermitage museums. Among the artists represented were Claude Monet, Franz Marc, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Vincent van Gogh.{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=All-Star Art: New Venetian gallery boasts dream collection |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-07-Sun-2001/news/17096662.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 7, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220173219/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-07-Sun-2001/news/17096662.html |archive-date=February 20, 2002}}
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Austria sometimes loaned art to the museum,{{cite news |last=Gorman |first=Tom |title=Six Centuries of Art at Las Vegas Museum |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-01-tr-digest1.5-story.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 1, 2002}}{{cite news |last=Haithman |first=Diane |title=Museum sits out this hand |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-dec-25-et-haith25-story.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 25, 2002}}{{cite news |last=Glenn Haas |first=Jane |title=Art museums give Las Vegas a cultural side |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/12/29/19696206/art-museums-give-las-vegas-a-cultural-side |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Deseret News |date=December 28, 2002}} including a 2004 exhibition,{{cite news |last=Huffey |first=Dorothy |title=VIP party at Guggenheim Hermitage Museum shows off exhibit |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-05-Thu-2004/living/24451465.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 5, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209034841/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-05-Thu-2004/living/24451465.html |archive-date=December 9, 2004}} which featured works by Auguste Rodin, Diego Velázquez, Edgar Degas, and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.{{cite news |title=Guggenheim opens 'Pursuit of Pleasure' |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/jul/16/guggenheim-opens-pursuit-of-pleasure/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 16, 2004}} The Kunsthistorisches was also to loan a portion of its Egyptian collection for a 2005 exhibition, although this deal fell through. A travelling exhibition, The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt, was instead signed to take place, with items from the Egyptian Museum, the Luxor Museum, and Deir el-Bahari.{{cite news |last=Foyt |first=Elizabeth |title=Guggenheim gives sneak peek at Egyptian treasures |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/mar/16/columnist-elizabeth-foyt-guggenheim-gives-sneak-pe/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 16, 2005}}{{cite news |last=Twardy |first=Chuck |title=Fine Art: I Wanna Live Forever |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/archive/2005/mar/17/fine-art-i-wanna-live-forever/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=March 17, 2005}}{{cite news |last=Twardy |first=Chuck |title=Guggenheim Hermitage's Future |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/archive/2005/aug/18/guggenheim-hermitages-future/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=August 18, 2005}} Later that year, the Guggenheim Hermitage hosted an exhibition of 16th and 17th century Russian items on loan from the Kremlin Museum.{{cite news |last=Engle |first=Jane |title=Russian treasures to N.Y., Vegas |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-18-tr-ntb18-story.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 18, 2005}}
In 2006, the museum hosted an exhibition featuring the work of Peter Paul Rubens, as well as his pupils Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens.{{cite news |last=Huffey |first=Dorothy |title=Reception opens Rubens exhibit at Guggenheim Hermitage |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-16-Thu-2006/living/5888138.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908082109/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-16-Thu-2006/living/5888138.html |archive-date=September 8, 2006}}{{cite news |title=Guggenheim Museum lands the 'Mother' lode |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Guggenheim%20Museum%20lands%20the%20%27Mother%27%20lode%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVBPL |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=February 13, 2006 |access-date=May 10, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} An exhibition dedicated to photographer Robert Mapplethorpe ran from 2006 to 2007, but saw minimal attendance. It was the museum's first photography exhibit, and also the first to feature the work of a single artist.{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Kristen |title=Few drawn to Guggenheim's Mapplethorpe photo exhibit |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/oct/31/few-drawn-to-guggenheims-mapplethorpe-photo-exhibi/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 31, 2006}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{coord|36|07|17|N|115|10|08|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation}}
{{Works by OMA}}
{{LV museums}}
{{ACArt}}
Category:Rem Koolhaas buildings
Category:Defunct museums in Nevada
Category:Museums in the Las Vegas Valley
Category:Art museums and galleries established in 2001
Category:2001 establishments in Nevada