Gumbo was visiting one of the most beautiful museums in North America, the amazing Getty Center in West Los Angeles. Congratulations to Jonathan L, Portmoresby and George G, all of whom solved this week’s puzzle.
Art is everywhere, even adjoining the platform where you
catch the tram near the parking structure at the bottom of the hill…..
(The Getty Center’s tram arrival area at the top of the hill)
When I have free time while traveling in greater Los Angeles, I love to go to the Getty Center — well worth a full day’s visit, especially if you’ve never been there before. There’s no admission fee, but you do have to pay $15.00 to park for the day (so if you’re dropped off by a friend, the entire day would be a freebie). There’s a large parking structure adjoining the 405 Fwy in Sepulveda Pass and from here every visitor takes a tram uphill to the Getty Center, as was illustrated in our first puzzle clue. The tram/funicular ride takes just a few minutes and when you exit it, you enter a beautifully crafted world of art and architecture. I enjoy spending hours walking the grounds and taking in the ever changing views of its amazing buildings, meticulously maintained gardens, and panoramicl views of the L.A. basin extending from downtown to the Pacific Ocean!
(some of the Getty Center architecture and grounds….)
The Getty Center, funded by the J.P. Getty Trust, is situated atop a hill in Brentwood (in the Santa Monica Mountains). The Center sits on 24 acres of a 100 acre site and was built at a cost of US$1.3 billion. It opened to the public in late 1997. The Getty Center is one of two locations of the J. Paul Getty Museum, attracting 1.3 million visitors annually. The other location is the Getty Villa in nearby Pacific Palisades, which we’ve previously featured on this website (click here for a link to Getty Villa and here for a link to its art.)
(some more of the Getty Center architecture and grounds….)
While the Getty Villa features ancient Roman and Greek art, the Getty Center features pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts (e.g. furniture) There’s a fine collection of photographs and a nice collection of modern outdoor sculpture around the grounds and gardens of the complex.
(some of the art decorating the Getty Center grounds….)
The Getty Center was designed by architect Richard Meier and also is home to the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Foundation, and the J. Paul Getty Trust.
Here is a brief glimpse of some if its gardens, including an amazing cactus garden….
Check out these views of Westwood and Century City…..
And here a tiny sample of its extensive art collection, including some beautifully crafted furniture pieces….
….dozens of art galleries….
…and a sample of its very popular Impressionist collection, including works by Renoir, Monet and most famously Van Gogh’s Irises….
