With its diverse collection of museums, 洛杉矶 has grown into one of the world’s great cities for art lovers. From the dramatically modern 盖蒂中心 high above West L.A. to The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, housed in a onetime police warehouse in downtown’s 小东京, the city offers a unique assortment of places and ways to view unforgettable works.
Start with locations made possible by philanthropist J. 保罗盖蒂, who created two remarkable—and free to the public—museums that are art pieces in themselves (one only has to pay for parking). At the 盖蒂中心, snow-white travertine buildings designed by famed architect Richard Meier display works that range from medieval-era illuminated manuscripts to photographic masterpieces. The lush gardens descending adjacent hills offer some of the best views in L.A. In Pacific Palisades, just east of 马里布, Getty created another gem, the 盖蒂的别墅, a recreation of an ancient 罗马 country house showcasing a world-renowned collection of Greek, 罗马, and Etruscan antiquities.
头 L市中心.A.,在那里 宽阔的 houses a stunning collection of contemporary art. Then explore Wilshire Boulevard,在那里 LACMA (the popular acronym for the 洛杉矶 County Museum of Art) is a sprawling complex displaying everything from pre-Columbian works to modern masterpieces. Snap a shot of Chris Burden’s 城市光, an outdoor assemblage of 202 vintage L.A. street lamps that has become one of the city’s most photographed sites, and walk under Michael Helzer’s Levitated Mass, a 340-ton granite boulder that’s dizzyingly suspended above an outdoor walkway.
Rancho Dominguez, just south of Compton, is home to the original 1826 adobe home of the Dominguez family that now houses the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum. 访问ors can learn about the transformation of California from its 西班牙语 and Mexican roots to its incorporation into the United States, and the role the Dominguez family played in the early Rancho Era in California (1784–1846). Multiple free tours are conducted every Wednesday, 周六, 周日, and the first Thursday and Friday of every month, and the Rose Garden, the Cactus Garden, and the orchards are accessible to all.
加州大学洛杉矶分校 (University of California, 洛杉矶) is another treasure trove of museums. 访问 锤子 for a remarkable collection of envelope-pushing art. 福勒 has a globally significant collection of historic and contemporary works from Africa, 亚洲, 太平洋, and the Americas.
For an adventure that is custom-designed to be Instagram gold, visit the Museum of Illusions,在那里 guests are not passive observers but instead become fully involved with the 3-D works of art. Inspired by current events, 电影, and other streams of pop culture, the simulated experiences include stealing treasure from bloodthirsty dragons, walking on the edge of a skyscraper, and other heart-stopping endeavors.
Not to be overlooked—though technically not within the city of L.A.—is 帕萨迪纳市’s Kidspace Children’s Museum. Kids ages 1–10 can climb, 飞溅, 窥视, and gaze upon 更多的 than 40 hands-on, 室内, and outdoor exhibits spread out over the museum’s 3.5英亩的校园. Another worthwhile museum, located about 30 miles west of Downtown 洛杉矶 in 波莫纳，是 American Museum of Ceramic Art. 访问ors here can explore a wide range of ceramic art, from historic pottery to contemporary sculptures. You'll see exhibitions featuring international and local artists, educational programs, hands-on workshops, and a comprehensive library on ceramic art and history. On monthly first Fridays, take advantage of the pay-what-you-can admission.
Insider tip: Many of 洛杉矶’ museums are free to the public, or have a free-admission policy one day a week. Check their sites before you go.
