Guggenheim Museum to Livestream World Cup and Exhibit Zidane Art Film

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City has announced an exciting summer program that combines the thrill of global football with the appreciation of contemporary art. Beginning this summer, the museum will feature live broadcasts of certain World Cup games on Friday afternoons, creating a vibrant space for sports enthusiasts within its premises.

This unique initiative will take place at Frank Pub’s, a temporary setup within The Wright, the museum's existing restaurant. The museum intends for this arrangement to provide a welcoming environment where individuals can enjoy food, watch the World Cup, and share in the collective excitement. Access to these viewing events will be complimentary for museum members and included with the daily admission ticket. In addition to the broadcasts, the Guggenheim is presenting a special art installation related to football. For the first time, the museum will display 'Zidane, a 21st-century portrait,' a 2006 film by Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno. This 90-minute, two-channel video marks its 20th anniversary this year and chronicles the legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane, affectionately known as Zizou, during a single match played in Madrid on April 23, 2005. The museum emphasizes that these offerings invite visitors to appreciate the artistry of one of football’s most iconic players while experiencing the shared joy that defines the sport on a global scale, ensuring no one misses a moment of the action. The film captures footage from 17 synchronized cameras positioned around the stadium, offering multiple perspectives of the game. Unlike typical sports broadcasts, 'Zidane' maintains its focus on the footballer, even when the main action is elsewhere on the field. The second screen presents raw footage from one of these cameras, occasionally syncing with the edited version throughout its hour-and-a-half duration.

Zidane, recognized as one of France's most esteemed players, famously made headlines during the 2006 World Cup final when he headbutted Italy's Marco Materazzi, resulting in a red card in the final match of his professional career, which Italy ultimately won in a penalty shootout. Following his playing career, Zidane successfully managed Real Madrid, his former club, across two different periods from 2016–18 and 2019–21. The 'Zidane' exhibition will run continuously in the Guggenheim’s Peter B. Lewis Theater during museum hours, from June 11 to July 19, coinciding with the World Cup period. This presentation is part of the Guggenheim’s ongoing 'Collection in Focus' series. Nat Trotman, a curator of media and performance at the museum, highlighted 'Zidane' as a significant piece within the Guggenheim’s extensive collection of video and time-based media. He noted that the installation immerses viewers in the athlete's world, offering a profound understanding of the psychological and physical demands of an active sportsman. By focusing intently on a single individual, unlike conventional broadcasts that track the ball, the artists deliver a nuanced and personal depiction of skill, fame, and formidable determination.

This initiative represents a thoughtful fusion of athletic spectacle and artistic introspection, providing a novel way to engage with both football and contemporary art. It allows visitors to delve deeper into the narrative of a celebrated athlete while experiencing the broader cultural resonance of the World Cup.