| Sunday | 11:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| Monday | 11:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | Closed | |
| Thursday | 11:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| Friday | 11:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 11:00 am | 6:00 pm |
The Guggenheim has long championed the work of the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, hosting his first American retrospective in 1955. Brancusi worked with a variety of materials focusing on direct carving rather than starting with clay models. Featured in this exhibit are examples carved from oak and polished marble that are deceptively simple. Take particular note of the bases used to support each of the works; they are intended to be part of the full sculpture.
Create like a god, command like a king, work like a slave. - Constantin Brancusi
The collection displays only eight pieces, but together they occupy the space beautifully. Take a few minutes with each piece and then revisit them again: the elegant *Seal*, the towering oak totems of *Adam and Eve* and *King of Kings*, the weightless slab of marble cared into a believable *Flying Turtle*, and the highlight of the collection: the charming, coquettish *Muse*. Audio guide coverage is limited, as is explanatory text: this is a place to be inspired more than educated. Save some time to examine the small photos of the artist at work lining the walls.
The museum packs a lot into its space, with its diverse permanent collection in the Thannhauser, the quest up the rotunda ramp, and the experiments of its exhibits. Add the crowds and it can be difficult to lose yourself in a given work of art. Take a break and sneak off to Brancusi. Appreciate his revolutionary simplicity--the perfect antidote to the energy of the rest of the museum. This is the place to spend a lot of time on just one work.
