Wednesday,15
October 2014
Where are we? USA, California, Los Angeles, The Getty Centre
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" - Pablo Picasso.
Today was our last day in Hollywood, however unfortunately laziness had kicked in. I had originally planned to go and climb the Hills of Mount Lee to get up close and personal with the Hollywood sign. But alas we slept in, and I didn't want to walk the trail in the hot midday sun (I am still dealing with sun burn from the football game). We talked about going to see the Le Brea tar pits (California has active tar pits that currently bringing ice age fossils to the surface), but the kids weren't keen. In the end decided on a trip to The Getty, but we'd go by taxi, (faster than public transport to make up for our lost morning.)
The Getty
The Getty was on my list of things to do, after seeing that it was listed as the No.1 attraction in LA on Trip Advisor. Not a theme park, or a sporting venue, an Art Museum! The world's traveller's must be more cultured than I thought. Or perhaps its because they are frugal, as its free to get in.
I like going to art museums when away from Darwin. I enjoy looking at the history of humanity via art. I also enjoy reading the commentary, and always wonder about how our activities of today will be interpreted in the future. Is art of today facebook memes? Would the commentary say something about our art being about people trying to connect with others? About attempting to inspire one another above the monotony and hardship of general life, but also to inject levity and entertainment through the use of ridicule and irony. I dunno - what do you think? Or perhaps our art is "the selfie", and I'd dread to think what that says about us. I am no art expert though, you could put me in a museum with great art and ordinary art and I wouldn't know the difference.
I like going to art museums when away from Darwin. I enjoy looking at the history of humanity via art. I also enjoy reading the commentary, and always wonder about how our activities of today will be interpreted in the future. Is art of today facebook memes? Would the commentary say something about our art being about people trying to connect with others? About attempting to inspire one another above the monotony and hardship of general life, but also to inject levity and entertainment through the use of ridicule and irony. I dunno - what do you think? Or perhaps our art is "the selfie", and I'd dread to think what that says about us. I am no art expert though, you could put me in a museum with great art and ordinary art and I wouldn't know the difference.
The taxi dropped us off in a covered car park at the bottom of a huge hill. We then caught a driverless electronic tram to the top of the hill. The view was spectacular. The Getty brochure quotes Richard Meir and describes the tram ride, as frictionless cars riding on a cushion of air which is designed to give visitors the feeling "of being elevated out of their day to day experience". LOL gotta love pretentious art talk. :-)
We got to the top of the hill, to this very grand looking building. Did my kids want to look at art? Nope. They were starving, so we immediately went to the museum cafe and fueled up on food. Darius loved his orange grilled cheese, although the colour threw him and he called it Pooh-bear honey. Disney has infected his brain.
Then it was time to visit the museum. We stopped off to borrow a free stroller, and to borrow some free audio guides. Entry to the museum is also free, although there is a cost to park, or in our case cab fare cost.The building and grounds is pretty special in it's own right, and I snapped lots of pics of the view, buildings and gardens... which according to the pamphlet are a "series of specialty gardens that exploit the interplay of light, colour and reflection". *posh voice* Are you getting into the galley spirit with me darling?
Our first stop along the way was the special exhibition "Spectacular Rubens: The triumph of the Eucharist". These paintings, drawings and tapestries made by other's based on his work are around 400 years old. We weren't allowed to take photographs, even without a flash. At first I though this was because of the age of the work, but there were older paintings elsewhere in the Museum that we were allowed to take photos with. I guess it has been determined that his work is extra special. The paintings and drawings displayed were religious scenes, perhaps the topic is part contributor to his high status. The other factor is possibly that he used the baroque style. I am not going to pretend that I understand that term, basically I think it means that his work portrays a strong sense of drama, and grandness. I know I am lucky to have seen his work in person, and the HUGE tapestries created based on his paintings.
We then moved on to other sections and exhibits, but the kids were driving us both insane. I was terrified that Kaine was going to drive Dar's stroller into a priceless Roman sculpture. So we backed off and went and checked out the family area, which was a really cool interactive area for kids. We were actually hoping we could dump the kids and go and look in peace, but kids had to have someone 16 or over with them. Shane kindly agreed to supervise while I ran away to have a quick solo look.
I asked where than van Gogh painting was and quickly ran-walked to have a look. Huffing and puffing, (after taking the stairs) I again asked where the Van Gogh painting was only to be told I was right in front of it. Another Deb ditzy moment. It was kinda obvious too, as that was the painting with the most people around it, taking photos. I took photos too, and even was a wierdo and got really close to try and capture the texture of the paint on the canvas, where it's thicker and smoother. I think I started a trend coz a few people after me did it too. LOL.
The painting was the Irises (you can see it here: Getty Museum Irises) I will put my photos on here, but I am typing this on my iPad and the photos are still on my camera). Van Gogh commenced painting it during his first week when staying in a mental asylum in France. I looked at his painting and read the background, and just hoped that the act of observing, connecting, and painting would have brought his mind and soul some peace, even if only temporary.
Having seen what I most wanted to see, I headed back to the family area, let Shane know we could leave if they wanted. We decided to stay and we all explored other areas of the museum together. My kids somewhat better behaved, although not entirely and were sometimes instructed to sit on a bench outside and wait. We didn't see everything, but I know that I did see lots of special pieces. (photos still to come).
The next step on my plan was to get close as legally possible to the Hollywood sign, by hiking up the Mount Lee trail. I was also hoping to check out the Bat Cave from the 1960's Batman movie which is near by. But when the taxi took us to the start of the trail we were advised that the trail was closed due to construction. :-( We got out of the cab and took some close-ish photos anyway.
We got to the top of the hill, to this very grand looking building. Did my kids want to look at art? Nope. They were starving, so we immediately went to the museum cafe and fueled up on food. Darius loved his orange grilled cheese, although the colour threw him and he called it Pooh-bear honey. Disney has infected his brain.
Then it was time to visit the museum. We stopped off to borrow a free stroller, and to borrow some free audio guides. Entry to the museum is also free, although there is a cost to park, or in our case cab fare cost.The building and grounds is pretty special in it's own right, and I snapped lots of pics of the view, buildings and gardens... which according to the pamphlet are a "series of specialty gardens that exploit the interplay of light, colour and reflection". *posh voice* Are you getting into the galley spirit with me darling?
Our first stop along the way was the special exhibition "Spectacular Rubens: The triumph of the Eucharist". These paintings, drawings and tapestries made by other's based on his work are around 400 years old. We weren't allowed to take photographs, even without a flash. At first I though this was because of the age of the work, but there were older paintings elsewhere in the Museum that we were allowed to take photos with. I guess it has been determined that his work is extra special. The paintings and drawings displayed were religious scenes, perhaps the topic is part contributor to his high status. The other factor is possibly that he used the baroque style. I am not going to pretend that I understand that term, basically I think it means that his work portrays a strong sense of drama, and grandness. I know I am lucky to have seen his work in person, and the HUGE tapestries created based on his paintings.
We then moved on to other sections and exhibits, but the kids were driving us both insane. I was terrified that Kaine was going to drive Dar's stroller into a priceless Roman sculpture. So we backed off and went and checked out the family area, which was a really cool interactive area for kids. We were actually hoping we could dump the kids and go and look in peace, but kids had to have someone 16 or over with them. Shane kindly agreed to supervise while I ran away to have a quick solo look.
I asked where than van Gogh painting was and quickly ran-walked to have a look. Huffing and puffing, (after taking the stairs) I again asked where the Van Gogh painting was only to be told I was right in front of it. Another Deb ditzy moment. It was kinda obvious too, as that was the painting with the most people around it, taking photos. I took photos too, and even was a wierdo and got really close to try and capture the texture of the paint on the canvas, where it's thicker and smoother. I think I started a trend coz a few people after me did it too. LOL.
The painting was the Irises (you can see it here: Getty Museum Irises) I will put my photos on here, but I am typing this on my iPad and the photos are still on my camera). Van Gogh commenced painting it during his first week when staying in a mental asylum in France. I looked at his painting and read the background, and just hoped that the act of observing, connecting, and painting would have brought his mind and soul some peace, even if only temporary.
Having seen what I most wanted to see, I headed back to the family area, let Shane know we could leave if they wanted. We decided to stay and we all explored other areas of the museum together. My kids somewhat better behaved, although not entirely and were sometimes instructed to sit on a bench outside and wait. We didn't see everything, but I know that I did see lots of special pieces. (photos still to come).
The next step on my plan was to get close as legally possible to the Hollywood sign, by hiking up the Mount Lee trail. I was also hoping to check out the Bat Cave from the 1960's Batman movie which is near by. But when the taxi took us to the start of the trail we were advised that the trail was closed due to construction. :-( We got out of the cab and took some close-ish photos anyway.
Did you know? The Hollywood sign originally spelt out Hollywoodland. The original sign was created and erected by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler in 1923 as a temporary billboard for his upscale Hollywoodland real estate. Apparently it would flash at night Holly, then wood, then land, then Hollywoodland.
Did you know? The Hollywoodland sign became just Hollywood in 1978 after a group of celebrities funded the restoration of the letters.
H: Terrence Donnelly (publisher of the Hollywood Independent Newspaper); O: Giovanni Mazza (Italian movie producer); L: Les Kelley (originator of the Kelley Blue Book); L: Gene Autry (actor)
Y: Hugh Hefner (founder of Playboy magazine); W: Andy Williams (singer); O: Warner Bros. Records O: Alice Cooper (singer), who donated in memory of close friend and comedian Groucho Marx, and who joked that he would also donate an "O" from his last name.;
D: Thomas Pooley (donated in the name of Matthew Williams).
Driving away from the sign, we were a little let down, as I had been psyching the kids up for the challenge of walking the 1.5 hour round trip. But in that cab ride silence, I had to wonder how many aspiring actors, writers, musicians, artists, have stared up at that sign, developing their dreams, making wishes, and whispering promises to themselves and that sign. How many stars has that sign inspired, helping them to believe that this is the place where magic is possible? It was a good way to reflect on our adventures here and to say goodbye to Hollywood.
We got back to the hotel, had dinner, then packed and went to sleep, ready for our next destination.
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