Get Ready to Roll—the Soloman R. Guggenheim Museum
Not always first on my list, but ALWAYS a winner when I get there. For many years I was not a fan of “modern” art so special exhibits would come and go at the Guggenheim and I would pass on all if not most of them. Then one day a friend suggested a group of us go see the Art of the Motorcycle exhibit on display at the Guggenheim—this was 1998.
While I agreed to join the group excursion, my hopes of a fun afternoon were slim. What did I know or care about motorcycles other than they appear to be dangerous to ride and they’re noisy. But that all changed when we walked through the doors of the museum, and my mind went from snoozing to wow-zing!
Picture taking inside the museum was not allowed in 1998. Thus we have no pictures of The Art of the Motorcycle. :(
The spectacular ceiling—the Oculus, inside the museum.
The exhibit started with one of the first built motor bicycles from 1868, which was a simple metal frame with a little motor hanging under the seat (something my father mimiced successfully in his youth and was sitting in my parent’s basement unused for years) to modern, sleek, brightly colored BMW’s, Honda’s and of course Harley-Davidson’s among many others.
Frank Gehry, who designed the exhibit, made it more visually interesting by cladding the spiral inside the building in stainless steel sheets, which reflected and highlighted the motorcycles. It was impressive. While there was much debate as to whether motorcycles should be considered art by the Avant guard, the museum got rave reviews and as it turned out The Art of the Motorcycle was the largest attended show ever at the Guggenheim to that date.
The evolution of the bikes from simple modes of transportation to the stylized, powerful machines they have become was quite amazing. They were stunning. We had a great afternoon and left with much discussion, which continued for many days.
Blue Umbrella II, Ada Katz by Alex Katz 1972
Since then I have had the great good fortune to enjoy many wowzah exhibits at the Guggenheim. It’s amazing how something as simple as that spiral changes how you see the art. But this Frank Lloyd Wright designed building went up before ADA laws requiring all public buildings be made accessible for everyone.
I took my little Pride GoGo Sport tri-wheel over there about a month ago and quickly realized it would not climb the ramp with me on it. Per the Guggenheim’s website “the spiral is ¼ mile long and climbs steadily at 3 degrees”. So I thought I would take the elevator to the top and then ride the spiral down—except the elevator at the museum is TINY and if I could get the scooter into the elevator, it would be only me in the elevator.
Part of the Alex Katz—Gathering
The main, center elevator is very small and while I could get my smaller scooter inside, that would be all that would fit. Anyone else wanting to join me would have to wait.
Coming down the spiral near the entrance.
That day the museum was cramed with visitors so I opted to leave thinking I would go back on what I anticipated would be a less crowded day a week later. In the meantime, my little Pride GoGo Sport broke, and I decided to buy a Pride Victory—which is a huge upgrade.
When I went back to the museum the next time, my Victory took the ramp effortlessly. It was great. But to every Ying there is a Yang and in this case, the issue is the new scooter will not fit in the elevator no matter how hard I tried nor will it fit in any of the restrooms. So while the ride is great, using the essentials can be an issue.
But do not let these matters deter you from seeing outstanding art in an awesome setting. Below you will find information on restrooms, dining and options for navigating inside the building with a scooter. During my two recent visits I saw motorized wheelchairs, small mobility scooters and the new WHILL, which is the foldable chair being advertized on the web. The owner of that mobility device raved about how happy he is to have switched from my kind of scooter to his. He told me he has been all over Europe using it and his significant other backed that up by adding how easy it is easy to get in and out of cabs with it too.
So do put the Soloman R Guggenheim Museum on your list of places to visit when you are in the city. You will be glad you did.
Location:
1071 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10128 (between 88th and 89th Streets).
Hours:
Sunday-Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Closed Tuesday Click here for holiday hours
Directions:
Subway:
On the East Side the nearest subway with elevator access is the Q on Second Avenue at 86th Street or 96th Street and then you can access cross town busses to Fifth Avenue and ride the few blocks the rest of the way.
Bus:
On Fifth Avenue M1, M2, M3 or M4 going down. All stop in front of the museum. Going north the same buses run on Madison Avenue and stop at 89th.
Accessibility:
The first elevator you will see is across from the beginning of the ramp. It’s small accommodating at most 4 people. I found only me and my tri-wheeled Go-Go scooter would fit. My new Victory scooter is too big. It will not fit. However, if your electric device is powerful enough, use the ramp. It is how the art is meant to be seen anyway.
On the second floor, just off the ramp going up, you’ll see stairs that take you to other galleries. You can access these rooms by staying on the ramp and going up past the restrooms. Off to the right you will see a small short ramp, which leads into the galleries in that area. Yet another ramp will take you up to the next room and in there, somewhat hidden but definitely accessible, are two larger elevators that take you to all the floors more easily.
Restrooms:
The restrooms are all singular and gender neutral and can be found in the center of the curve on every floor. However, the only handicapped restroom is on the 7th floor and while it is equipped with grab bars, your mobility scooter will have to be left outside. People in wheelchairs will have better luck squeezing in.
Dining:
There is a cafe serving light fare on the third floor with a view of Fifth Avenue and Central Park. Seating is open. I was able to take my larger scooter right up to the table, which was very convenient.
Outlets for Charging:
There are outlets in the cafe, which visitors are welcome to use. It’s a pretty space with floor to ceiling windows and no matter what the weather, if you have to spend some time here, it’s a very plesant place to rest while you charge!