I love art. I love anything with a cultural bend to it. So, this weekend my friend Anna and I went to the LACMA(Los Angeles County Museum of Art) to check out their new exhibit, 'Pompeii and the Roman Villa'. We also wanted to browse their massive new expansion building the BCAM, which houses iconic works from the past four decades.
Oh, LACMA. How you disappoint. I have been to countless museums and galleries all around the world, in cities big and small. There is a certain something you expect from a major museum in a major world city. I expect friendly and knowledgeable staff. I expect thoughtful explanations of the exhibitions, whether temporary or permanent. I expect to feel like I am in a cultural institution. I expect to feel welcome. All of these expectations were barely met at the LACMA this weekend. And that is really a shame. Along with the MOCA, Getty Museum, and Huntington, the LACMA is one of the few art museums we have here in Los Angeles.
I am hoping that the LACMA is simply experiencing some growing pains as it has been under construction for quite some time. Let us hope that is the case. This museum has a premium location, smack in the middle of this sunny city, brand new buildings to fill with art, and a community to appreciate it all.
But the day was not by any means a loss. I got to spend the day with my sweet friend, Anna. We sipped our lattes in the museum courtyard, chatted endlessly, and then went to dinner at one of our favorite places in my neighborhood. So, overall a lovely day with my friend, good art, and good food.
