I realize a lot of people find museums boring and dull.
I hold a different view of these spaces holding different works. To me, these are places waiting to be discovered, a ride to many cultures for a humble price. If you ask me to select between a museum or staying home (doing chores), I pick the former.
For the longest period of time, I wanted to return to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). I visited years ago but can’t remember much of what I saw at that time.
I went back eager to discover some of its masterpieces. Additionally, I put on very comfortable shoes since this is the largest encyclopedic museum west of Chicago. The collections and special exhibits are located in seven buildings. This huge museum receives one million visitors annually.
Today, I don’t want to bore you with details of my visit. I just want to present you with some of the works I saw. Take it as a pro museum piece, some encouragement to go out and discover more of the world thru these spaces.
The Architecture
Modern Architecture on LACMA
The Sculptures
Smoke
The Masterpieces
This is my favorite part of the museum.
Henri Matisse
Rene Magritte
Rene Magritte
Pablo Picasso
Diego Rivera
My favorite piece is called Anger. It was created by a German painter called Hans-Siebert von Heister.
Anger
I saw a piece from one of my favorite Latin American painters, Joaquin Torres Garcia. I visited his museum when I stopped by Montevideo, Uruguay.
Joaquin Torres Garcia
This is the cutest piece I saw.
Cute Painting
Islamic Art
Islamic Art
Contemporary Art
I discovered I like modern art but not contemporary art. I don’t understand works of contemporary art. They are too abstract for me. Can somebody can tell me what is going on below?
Contemporary Art
Then, contemporary art can turn into your worst nightmare. Some guy decided to create a giant stack of dishes.
Giant stack of dishes
Assyrian Reliefs
I stood astonished before these carved stone panels. They used to decorate the interior walls of the palace of ths first Assyrian king. This king reigned from 883 – 859 BC. I don’t know what is more impressive, the age of the panels, the detail used in the pictorials or the fact that we can appreciate something from such a distant land in Los Angeles.
Assyrian Reliefs from Nimrud
Detail of Assyrian Reliefs
And of course, we cannot talk about LACMA without highlighting its emblematic piece of art, Urban Light.
Characteristic light poles in front of the museum
Do you like museums? Let me know in the comments section below.
UnwireMe_Com says
I love the one by Magritte, “This is not a pipe”, because of the logic behind it. It is not a pipe, but a drawing of a pipe. Very philosophical.
Have been to New York’s MOMA, Chicago’s, Dali’s in Florida, and even the one in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Last one Guatemala’s national palace, which while not a museum per se, carries a lot of history in every corner. I definitely learn a lot about the culture at each museum I visit.
In fact, the best way to visit I’ve found is to always take the (almost always) free guided tours. It’s great to hear all the little side stories behind the art.
Cool post!
-Rich
Scott - Quirky Travel Guy says
You captured some amazing sights, inside and out. I’ve never taken the time to visit LA’s museums, because there’s so much to do there that I end up finding other ways to keep busy. I love that Matisse. And the modern art – it’s awesome because it makes no sense.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista says
I’m not the biggest fan of museums but I do like Impressionist art so will go see displays when I can. I really like the comment above about taking a free guided tour! I’m sure they would help make the art come to life, so I would be all for that!