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Vincent Anthony Falkiewicz

The Guggenheim effect stems from the idea that a city, country, or general are can revitalize itself and its cultural appreciation through large cultural projects. These projects not only have economic effects, but also cause regions to "rediscover their individuality and strengths (Ward 1)." The selection of these types of projects, however, is somewhat controversial. It is questionable whether or not culture should be used as a means to decide whether investors should choose a certain city to develop these projects. For example, the using the relaxing "tea aesthetics" of Japanese culture to invest in a large economical project. Although this would seemingly revitalize the community, many argue it takes away from the culture; it generalizes it and leaves many to assume a lot without truly understanding a certain culture.
The cultural district project in Abu Dhabi is a perfect example of this effect. The multi-billion dollar project offers "three museums designed by the celebrity architects Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, and Tadao Ando (Fattah 1)." This could have a huge cultural impact for the art world. Gehry's building containing Guggenheim Museum's contemporary art will be a rejuvenating piece of the UAE's culture. This will add to the enormous effect on the art community. People from around the world will get the chance to experience culturally driven art like they never have. However, as for the rest of the world, it could slightly tarnish the cultural practices of the area. When people do not fully understand, or are not fully enveloped in what they are attempting to experience they sometimes end up with a sort of "tunnel vision" of the area. On the other hand, the economic impacts could be enormous; the only sad part about that is mostly big businesses or original investors see benefits of increasing economic activity. The surrounding areas usually end up suffering due to their inability to compete. Through all these possible negatives, the art world would greatly benefit from this cultural district. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/arts/design/01isla.html

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Erica Gilbert-Levin

The so-called Guggenheim effect, which Ward calls "an enduring myth," assumes that the construction of an internationally recognized cultural icon like the Guggenheim Museum in a down-trodden area can revitalize the city by creating a flourishing cultural mecca that will attract tourists and all the accoutrements that accompany tourism as an industry, draw investors and corporations (which then, according to the theory, provide more jobs), and improve the "quality of life of the local community" (Ward, "The Guggenheim effect"). In their study on the establishment of a Guggenheim in Bilbao La Viejo in the San Francisco area, Vicario and Monje's conclusions support Ward's: that the "Guggenheim effect" is a myth.

Wiki Markup

The Guggenheim Museum was [introduced to BLV|http://www.bilbaointernational.com/en/old-bilbao/] in the 1990s with the intention of supporting the rejuvenation of the "derelict neighborhood," with the museum as [the "hallmark" of a new cultural haven|http://www.designbuild-network.com/features/feature1506/] (Vicario and Monje, 2384), an integral component of the "reimaging" of the area as "the artists' district' of the city" (Vicario and Monje, 2394). This development has become "_the model_ of urban regeneration for other cities affected by decline." Although the strategy succeeded in "creating a new city image associated with art and culture," it was not effective in improving the lives of average citizens. In fact, the introduction of the museum brought with it a trend toward the [gentrification|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification] of the neighborhood: Real estate prices rose as the location became more attractive, forcing out those who could not afford to pay to live there (Vicario and Monje, 2396). Changes in the environment proved a superficial solution to systemic and enduring problems. For example, the changes resulted in "the displacement of 'problematic' sectors (drug addicts and dealers, prostitutes) to other deprived areas of the city," but ultimately, "any 'normal' residents lacking sufficient income to stay in the area" would also be pushed out (Vicario and Monje, 2398). The effects of gentrification patterns, then, resulted in negative consequences for the area that may outweigh the benefits of housing an attractive cultural site such as the Guggenheim. They leave in place underlying socioeconomic problems and destroy the lives of ordinary citizens who have lost their homes. Even Ward's assessment that the only real benefit of "cultural investment" in down-trodden areas is the "\[refreshment of\] the local soul" rings hollow if citizens cannot afford to stay there and reap the benefits of living in a flourishing cultural mecca.

Bilbao La Viejo in San Francisco