The sculpture requires approximately 38,000 flowering plants to cover its frame completely.
The internal irrigation system is computer-controlled to ensure precise moisture levels for the living plants.
The floral variety is changed twice a year to maintain the sculpture's aesthetic during different climate cycles.
The structure weighs approximately 16 tons, largely due to the steel frame and the saturated growing medium.
Puppy was installed at the Guggenheim Bilbao just before the museum's official opening in 1997.
Puppy is a 12.4-meter-tall topiary sculpture of a West Highland white terrier created by American artist Jeff Koons. Located outside the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the sculpture is constructed from a stainless steel internal structure covered in a geotextile fabric. Thousands of living flowers, including pansies, petunias, and begonias, are planted into the substrate to form its coat. An internal irrigation system provides water and nutrients to the plants, which are replaced twice annually to account for seasonal changes. The artwork was originally created for the 1992 Documenta IX exhibition in Kassel, Germany, and was purchased by the Guggenheim Foundation in 1997. It serves as an iconic symbol of the museum's integration of contemporary art with the urban landscape of Bilbao.
From the river bank path looking up, capturing both the sculpture and the titanium-clad museum exterior in the background.
Visit during the spring or autumn replanting periods to see the grounds crews working on the intricate floral maintenance.
Walk all the way around the sculpture to see the detailed landscaping that continues behind the statue.
Pair your visit with a walk along the river promenade for the best light conditions.
Do not attempt to climb or lean on the sculpture, as the living plant structure is fragile and strictly protected.
