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Los Angeles is getting a brand-new cultural playground in the 3.5-acre public park surrounding Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s David Geffen Galleries. The new campus, with its outdoor drinking and dining options and landscaped sculpture garden, is meant to be a part of the city, so foot traffic is expected and welcome. The 360-degree windows that ring architect Peter Zumthor’s 347,500-square-foot building allow you to catch glimpses of the interior, and those inside can see you — making your motions, your journey, your day, integral to the art of the place. So have some fun!
You don’t need to buy a ticket to take in some great public art. You may have a million pictures of your family in Chris Burden’s “Urban Light,” but now you can crouch before Jeff Koons’ massive topiary sculpture “Split-Rocker,” with its colorful riot of native blooms; or launch yourself up to an alien ship inside Shio Kusaka’s “Beam.” Don’t miss pondering the mystery of Pedro Reyes’ “Tlali” or catching the mist from Alexander Calder’s playful fountain “Three Quintains (Hello Girls).”
The divisive new building opens to members April 19 and widely May 4. Learn more about its architecture, must-see art, things to do and $724 million price tag.
Stop for a latte at the cafe beside the latter installation, enjoying the caffeine rush at an outdoor table with a view of the La Brea Tar Pits, or grab lunch at the restaurant housing Sarah Rosalena’s woven wonder “Threading the Boundless: Omnidirectional Terrain.” Looking for something stronger? Make the trek across Wilshire Boulevard to the wine bar, and watch a film or special guest speaker in the museum’s new 300-seat theater.
However you’d like your day to unfold, consider this map your handy guide.
