The art of Los Angeles is not confined within the frame of a gallery. The city's streets, its light, and its architecture themselves become one giant canvas. At the very center of that is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

This place is more than just a repository for artworks; it is an icon of public art woven into the daily lives of Angelenos and a dynamic space that is constantly evolving towards the future.

Installation Art That Became City Icons

LACMA's identity is defined by two massive installation art pieces.

The first is 'Urban Light' by artist Chris Burden. This work, composed of 202 restored cast-iron antique street lamps from 1920s-30s Los Angeles, has transcended its status as a museum symbol to become L.A.'s most famous photo zone and meeting place. This modern temple, which illuminates at night, is the result of sublimating the city's light and history into art.

The second is 'Levitated Mass' by Michael Heizer. A colossal 340-ton granite boulder rests precariously above a concrete trench that visitors can walk through. The tension between the overwhelming weight of nature and the man-made structure, and the experience of walking beneath it, poses a question to our preconceived notions of art.

From Picasso to Jeff Koons

LACMA's true value lies beyond its iconic installations, within its galleries. It is the largest art museum in the western United States, boasting a vast collection of over 140,000 works, from ancient artifacts to contemporary art.

The collection features works by European modern masters like Picasso and René Magritte, as well as contemporary pop artists like Jeff Koons. In addition, high-quality collections of Asian and Latin American art testify to the broad artistic spectrum that LACMA pursues.

A Reinvention Towards the Future

LACMA does not dwell in the past. The museum is currently anticipating the completion of a new building, the 'David Geffen Galleries,' designed by Pritzker Prize-winning world-renowned architect, Peter Zumthor. This is not a simple expansion, but a bold process of reinvention towards the museum's future. For these reasons, if you are traveling to L.A., a visit to the LACMA is highly recommended.
 

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