Spring Gloom at The Getty
Hi friends,
One of the things that was on my LA bucket list was to visit The Getty. As a cultural and architectural institution, The Getty is pretty much the closest thing we have to the Louvre on the West Coast. I remember visiting The Getty during a fifth grade field trip, wandering aimlessly through the museum galleries and taking random pictures of my friends from class on a digital camera (before iPhones existed).
When I turned 21, I organized a little trip to The Getty with some of my friends who pressured me to drink cheap wine as a rite of passage. I quickly learned in that moment that alcohol does not agree with me, but it was a memorable day nonetheless.
On a gloomy Wednesday afternoon, I drove up with my dad to enjoy The Getty Center once more. It still continues to be one of my favorite places to visit in LA. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the building itself is a piece of art and it continues to house some of the most important pieces of art we have here in the US. From the meticulously manicured gardens to the beautiful views of the city, The Getty is a perfect sanctuary to enjoy design, culture, nature, and art.
What I Wore:
Blazer and Bag: Lemaire
Pants and Shoes: Vintage
The blazer and horse hair bag are two new additions to my Lemaire collection. Normally, I’m not a big fan of animal print or horse hair but there was something about this bag that felt familiar yet undeniably unique. The shape kind of reminds me of a takeout container while the hardware adds an elegant finish.
What I Loved:
What’s magical about The Getty is that it contains art across various eras and time periods. From ancient artifacts to contemporary artists, there’s something for everyone. You can see what’s currently on view here.
Within the lobby of The Getty, I spotted a few rainbows on the floors and walls. At first I thought it was serendipitous but in reality, it’s part of an art installation by Charles Ross.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gained an increased appreciation for architectural and interior design. When I was younger, I remember listening to a walking tour about the history and the process of building The Getty but honestly back then, much of the information went in one ear and out the other. I didn’t really appreciate the design or materials chosen to build The Getty. All I knew is that the museum was built on top of a huge hill with massive stone cubes that must have cost a fortune to move.
Several years later, I developed a deeper appreciation for design, especially modern design which allows me to see the lines of The Getty with a new lens. Every angle is perfectly aligned, every surface is intentional, and every brick is meant to take up space in a way that organically guides each visitor to a new viewpoint.
Since I’ve been in LA for over a month, I also developed a deeper appreciation for American Modernism. I’ve spent so much time in Paris jumping from museum to museum mainly in awe of 18th Century design aesthetics that lately I’ve felt more removed from the modernist ideals. Both eras of design are beautiful and combined they offer a vision that is both romantic and intentional.
What design aesthetics appeal to you? Let me know in the comments section, I’d love to know. Scandi-Japanese is still one of my top favorite design aesthetics. Give me any Danish designed chair and a Noguchi lamp and I’m all set.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more from all the different places and galleries I’ve gotten the fortunate chance to visit during my time in LA. As always thank you for reading! More coming soon…
Much love from LA,
Kiana