Art in America: Whither Las Vegas Guggenheim? - Artworld - rumor that museum's Las Vegas space closi

The latest speculation swirling around the Guggenheim Museum doesn't involve a new outpost in some far-off land, but the possible closing of one of its ballyhooed Las Vegas spaces at the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino [see "Front Page," Dec. '01]. Curiosity has been spurred by the recent departure of Las Vegas branch director Barbara Bloemink, now curatorial director at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York, with no successor in view; moreover, no announcement has been made about a new exhibition to fill the 63,700-square-foot space, designed by Rem Koolhaas, when the long-touring and popular "Art of the Motorcycle" closes Jan. 5.

Denying reports in the Las Vegas Sun, the New York Sun and on Artnet.com, Guggenheim spokesperson Betsy Ennis told A.i.A. that there is "absolutely nothing to substantiate the rumor" of the Las Vegas closing, and that it is probably fueled by unsolicited offers the Venetian has received from entertainment presenters who want to mount big Broadway-style productions in the larger space. She said the museum is seeking a replacement for Bloemink and that following the motorcycle show "the exhibition gallery will be closed for approximately three months for physical modifications, after which the Guggenheim will present an exhibition drawn from the museum's permanent collection. The exhibition will be announced pending confirmation of funding." Bloemink, meanwhile, told A.i.A. that despite the unfavorable economic climate following 9/11, the Guggenheim opened two museums, stayed within budget and received over 650,000 visitors.