When two branches of the famous Guggenheim opened in Vegas, it was seen as a sure sign that Vegas was on its way, or at least had an actual chance, of becoming a real city with real culture, and not just a glittery tourist trap. No one has said much now that the first branch, the one built for special exhibits, closed after just one show. The second, and perhaps ultimately better reviewed and regarded, remains in operation, so maybe there is hope yet for Vegas's cultural significance. That museum, the Guggenheim/Hermitage, is the first co-venture between the Guggenheim and the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The State Hermitage in St. Petersburg has one of the finest encyclopedic collections in the world, but few have had a chance to experience any of it. Unfortunately, the exhibit here at press time was of American pop icons. We're not really sure how the Hermitage collection figures into that, fond as we are of that particular moment in modern art, so we do rather hope that future exhibits feature more of those masterworks rarely, if ever, seen outside of Russia. After all, price-wise too, we note again that both the Louvre and the Vatican come considerably cheaper (well, once you pay to fly there) and offer quite a bit more.