In 'the city that never sleeps,' Guggenheim offers an option
Last Updated: Saturday, October 25, 2008 | 12:30 PM ET
Reuters, special to CBC News
If you're heading to New York City and looking for a place to stay, you might want to book a night at the Guggenheim Museum, which is welcoming overnight visitors as part of a new exhibit.
Called "theanyspacewhatever," the Guggenheim's latest offering includes a hotel room, created by Carsten Holler — one of 10 artists who make up the exhibition in which artists mix visual arts with other disciplines such as literature, architecture, design and theatre.
The Swedish-based Holler asked if the museum would consider the concept of a sleepover for his Revolving Hotel Room.
"We were very interested in it, because it does in many ways encapsulate the concerns of these artists to really stretch the parameters of what a museum can be," chief curator Nancy Spector said.
"At night our guests will be able to stay in the museum and enjoy the exhibition by themselves."
Prices vary. Students can stay on Monday nights for $259 US while other visitors have to pay up to $549, but weekends are already sold out.
Actress sleeps over
The exhibit opened Friday night and the first overnight guest, actress Chloe Sevigny, will be bedding down Saturday night. Sevigny stars in the drama series Big Love.
Holler's exhibit is made up of a dressing, working and sleeping area mounted on top of four glass discs, turning at slow speed.
During the day, the hotel room is open for viewing by the public, but at night it's open only for paying guests in groups no larger than two.
The stay even includes the full-service amenities of a hotel. Guests will have the museum all largely to themselves, except for the security guards.
Checkout time is 8:30 a.m. and there is a breakfast of croissants and coffee served in bed. No other food is allowed.
The exhibit runs until Jan. 7.
With files from Reuters
