Los Angeles is a mecca for culture.
Everywhere you turn (for the most part) has been transformed into a tiny piece of the LA cultural experience. And the Getty Center is one of the larger pieces that define LA’s splendor.
Nestled on a tree-covered hill above the 405 freeway, the Getty Center breaks through the conundrum of fog and monotony with its unique architecture that spreads across a rich landscape.
Built in the late ’90s, the Getty Center was created to house the art that could no longer fit in the Getty Villa, located not far from campus on PCH. The center was also designed to be the site of the Getty Research Institute and a few other notable institutions as well. The Getty Center is a sprawling campus of innovative art and architecture, and is a place for advancement in the research and conservation field.
Even if a museum visit is not your usual free time activity of choice, the Getty Center must be added to your bucket list of things to do before graduating and leaving the LA area forever.
As one of the most visited museums in the United States, the Getty Center appeals to both the tourist and the art critic. The museum is home to dozens of pieces of art and architecture ranging from medieval illuminated manuscripts to early 20th century photographs. The Getty is sure to have something for everyone.
Still not sold on walking around staring at paintings? Well, the Getty showcases a variety of big names that anyone living under the sun should have come across at some point.
Have a fancy for Van Gogh’s post-impressionism? The Getty owns “Irises,” one of his more well-known works of art.
Perhaps a decadent Baroque style is more to your liking? Well, you are in luck because a few Peter Paul Rubens make their homes on the walls of the Getty.
Paintings, sculpture and photographs are the Getty center’s treasured gems that sit in an even more glorious architectural masterpiece.
Designed by Richard Meier, the Getty rises above the LA horizon like an ethereal white castle. But castle it is not.
A modern creation with its clean angles and rounded corners, the Getty is situated around a central plaza that visitors see when they step off the sleek, computer-controlled tram. With fountains and lush foliage, the paleness of the Getty is even starker.
A unique element incorporated into the architecture of the center is the use of stone blocks, which add a textural element to the sleekness of the modern design. What makes the use of stone even more unique was that the type of stone, travertine, was imported directly from Italy. The organization of the campus is such that wherever you look there is an idyllic view of the city, the mountains, lush landscape and even the Pacific Ocean on a particularly clear day.
The Getty Center’s plush landscape and gardens accentuate its beauty even more.
The Central Garden, which was meticulously designed by artist Robert Irwin, is an extraordinarily otherworldly experience. With a tree-lined stream that takes visitors down a plant-filled scene, the garden opens up to the stream leading to a waterfall which falls into a pond of floating azaleas, pruned into an intricate design reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts rose garden in “Alice in Wonderland.”
Much of the garden takes on that whimsical feel as visitors walk through the flowers bursting with color and the trees swaying softly in the breeze. The Getty Center sets up a picturesque scene, only fitting because the rest of the campus is just as charming.
The landscaping offers a great expanse of areas that form perfect picnicking spots or photo ops. Combined with the almost-perfect Southern California weather, the plants are always in full color and add perfect accents.
The Getty Center is an amazing place to spend a day slowly meandering through the its extensive collection and roaming the beautiful landscape. It’s a nice place to escape from the hurried pace of the city, even if it’s still located in LA.
If you carpool, parking is less of a hassle. Admission is free to the Getty Center, but parking costs $15 (Saturdays after 5 p.m. parking is free). And if you do plan to spend the day there, the Getty has cafés and a restaurant. Just be sure to check operating hours on their website, www.getty.edu.
The Getty Center is a beautiful place that is full of rich culture in both the art it holds and the history behind the Getty itself. It is sure to offer a lovely reprieve from the din of college life.
