Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

A Visit to LACMA

After steam cleaning my hardwood floors and writing an article on Sunday morning, Webdude suggested we get out of the house for some R & R. We headed out to LACMA, dragging our teenager kid with us for 3 hours of art immersion.

We’re not members, but the deal here is kids under 18 get in Free. Adults are $15. They’ve added a lot of interactive exhibits, which may not be fine art … but are fun, tangible art you get to experience. Honestly we hadn’t been in years and were pleased to see some terrific additions to the museum. Perfect for families to take their kids to engage in artistic conversation.

We went to see Metropolis II which was incredible! Fine art… maybe not so much…. but fun, thought provoking, dimensional art…. absolutely yes!  You must view it from all sides to get a real perspective of the kinetic work.  This structure has 100,000 cars circulating through a dense network of buildings… all in miniature of course. If you love trains or Hot Wheels as a kid, this exhibit is a real kick. The sound created is part of the experience.

Then we went into the California Design 1930-1965.  Full of innovative, mid century designs from an original Mattel Barbie doll and Barbie cardboard Dream House to a Studebaker Avanti designed by Raymond Loewy. The kid went nuts for some of the vintage clothing designs, reciting repeatedly to herself that she was born in the wrong era. She stopped her mantra when I told her she could find some great similar pieces at local vintage stores…. And yes, I’d take her. If you’re over 45 and grew up this stuff, this will be a real treat for you.

Popped into the Ellsworth Kelly exhibit…. Simple, abstract prints are not for me.I did however immerse myself into the works of Picasso and the dozens of other modern impressionistic art works.  Some of the works were enlightening, others shocking, some were irritatingly self serving, but your not supposed to love everything you see.

The rewards of our day of art immersion was intellectual debate, jokes, conversation along with historical and emotional insights lasting well into the evening…. all because we took the time to see some art. Nice.