7-21-02:
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art - Los Angeles, CA:
Big changes are in store for the Los Angeles County Museum
of Art [LACMA]. According to the models and renderings a
complete redesign plan would bring together 'the most inclusive
collection in the western United States.'
I
have no reason to doubt this claim - LACMA is huge!
Originally
opened in 1965 in three buildings designed by William L.
Pereira, LACMA has been added to in fits and starts over
the years. The Robert O. Anderson building was added in
1986, and the Japanese pavilion in 1989. [Roll your mouse
over the image above for details on the various architectural
styles]
The
result? The exteriors are certainly a bit chock-a-block.
The original '60's architecture can still be seen in the
open patio common area, the very large Anderson building
facing Wilshire Blvd. [see above] is dramatic but seems
to be attempting to hide the Pereira exterior, and the Japanese
pavilion has an unintentionally whimsical 'Flintstones'
flair, which made us think it was part of the near by La
Brea Tar Pits.
In their
defense, they've done a pretty admirable job of pasting
all these buildings together.
So much
for that thought. Just this year, renowned architect Rem
Koolhaus won the bid to completely redefine the look and
layout of LACMA. Instead of trying to tie more buildings
together, Koolhaus has determined that it's best to just
start over. He has come up with an incredibly cool looking
design, and a concept that is attempting to turn the notion
of 'visiting a museum' into something new, fresh and innovative.
With
five different buildings [American, Asian, European, Latin,
and modern and contemporary art], it sounds really exciting.
And incredibly expensive. Some groups have been critical
of the plan, stating that it's too much money to be spent
on essentially just a new roof.
A
beautifully designed roof. But a roof. The Los Angeles Times
stated that the project could take 10 years and exceed $300
million.
.But
that's the future. Years from now. Let us show you Los Angeles
County Museum of Art as it is today.
