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LA–the Getty Museum, Part 2

You can tell from the just-leafing-out buds of green that I was at the Getty Museum (Los Angeles)  in Spring.  I love the gnarliness of these trees, and how the bark picks up the white of the buildings and the shadows and darkness in the windows, and how the contorted shapes of the branches contrast with the square blocks of stone, the perfectly smooth straight and curved lines of the architecture.  A perfect lesson in design:  line, contrast, shape, form, repetition…..

Another lesson in design, form and shape is the tables and chairs in the courtyard.  There are (if I remember correctly) five main buildings with galleries at the top of the hill that form a rough circle.  In the center of the circle are the fountains (seen in the photos in my first blogpost) and seating areas, like this one.  The way the buildings cluster mean that you don’t have to walk miles to get from one to another… again, smart planning and design in what might have been a challenging site:  a fairly steep hillside.

Oh how I love those crisp shadows……And the good design extended to inside, even in the cafeteria.  Here, environmentally friendly bamboo was the material for the condiments items… a nice composition even in the the cafeteria!  Remember…there is inspiration EVERYwhere!

The end grain of the wood for the floors made another pattern in squares that echoes the stone squares that clad the walls, inside and out:

And an angled view of the wall, to show the rough surface of the stone facings, what amazing texture and line and movement:

We sat outside under a pergola for lunch, Joyce, Susan and I:

It was while sitting here that I got a call from Paul and learned the very nice size of my Jan-March royalty check and realized my book had sold through the first printing already…whooooohoooo!  Back to the architecture…look at those lines on the exterior stairs!!!!!

And the undulating waves of the buildings and the shadows cast by the slats (I’m guessing they are position to help block the sun from damaging artwork inside but still permit maximum natural light):

Another, cropped, shot of those patio tables and chairs and lines and shadows that I clearly adore:

And one of the vistas around the end of the buildings…wow:

More to come…….

One Response to “LA–the Getty Museum, Part 2”

  1. Gabriele Agustini Says:

    Congratulations on the check and on your book doing so well!!
    You rock!!

    I love The Getty!! After living here for over 30 years, I finally went there last year! Not sure when it was built.

    Awesome experience!! Some of the ancient jewelry took my breath away! And I’m not even a jewelry person.

    But I spent a ton in the gift shop. 🙁

    Hugs,
    gabriele