Steve McQueen debuts sound installation at Guggenheim Bilbao featuring Nina Simone and David Bowie

OPA WIRE, Oct 21 (OPA) — The installation, titled "66–76–26," occupies a darkened room at the Guggenheim Bilbao, where visitors hear Nina Simone and David Bowie performing the song "Wild is the Wind" from opposing corners. The title references the years the two artists recorded their respective versions—1966 and 1976—alongside the year of the exhibition. McQueen, who first encountered the song 30 years ago, designed the space to emphasize the raw emotional yearning present in both performances, effectively creating a virtual duet between the two icons.

McQueen noted that the project highlights the evolution of the song, which was originally written by Dmitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington for a 1957 film. While the original version was recorded by Johnny Mathis, McQueen argues that Simone elevated the track to a new level, with Bowie later offering an homage to her interpretation. "By putting these two things together, these two stones, it makes fire," McQueen said. Curator Lekha Hileman described the installation as an experiential work that encourages visitors to slow down and engage with the audio environment.

Beyond the musical pairing, the exhibition addresses the political climates in which the recordings were produced. Both the 1966 and 1976 versions emerged during periods of significant social upheaval, including the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. McQueen suggests that in times of turbulence, the focus on love as a universal human necessity remains a grounding force. The artist, who gained international acclaim for films such as "12 Years a Slave" and "Hunger," returns to his roots in contemporary art with this project, which emphasizes perception and memory.

The exhibition opened on Oct. 9, coinciding with McQueen’s 57th birthday. In conjunction with the installation, the Guggenheim Bilbao is hosting a film program showcasing McQueen’s cinematic career to illustrate the relationship between his gallery work and his feature films. The "66–76–26" installation will remain on display at the museum until Feb. 13, 2027.