The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao presents 66–76–26, a new site-specific installation by Steve McQueen (b. 1969, London, UK) that reimagines two iconic recordings of “Wild is the Wind”: Nina Simone’s 1966 version and David Bowie’s 1976 cover.
The exhibition’s title references the recording dates and the year of the exhibition, emphasizing connections between past and present. Continuing McQueen’s recent exploration of light, sound, and sensory perception, the installation transforms the gallery into an immersive environment where pauses become as meaningful as music. Stripped of instrumentation, the two recordings are presented separately in a darkened gallery, creating a powerful dialogue across space. By isolating voice, silence, and breath, McQueen explores love, memory, perception, and the emotional resonance of sound while reflecting on the social and political contexts surrounding both performances.
66–76–26 is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue featuring archival materials and newly commissioned essays, as well as a film program highlighting McQueen’s acclaimed cinematic career, including 12 Years a Slave, Small Axe, and Shame (program subject to change).
