Did you know LACMA began as part of the Los Angeles Museum of History Science and Art? That was back in 1910. Now we stand before the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It is the largest art museum in the western United States.
LACMA’s story is one of growth and transformation. In 1961 LACMA became independent. It moved to this Wilshire Boulevard location in 1965. William Pereira designed that original complex.
But here’s a twist J. Paul Getty influenced LACMA’s creation. Getty’s reluctance to donate more art to the county led to LACMA’s fundraising. He felt the county museum’s presentation was shabby. So he built his own museum.
LACMA’s early patrons included Howard F Ahmanson Sr Anna Bing Arnold and Bart Lytton. Ahmanson’s $2 million donation was key. It convinced others to donate.
The original museum had three buildings. They resembled Lincoln Center. There was the Ahmanson Building the Bing Center and the Lytton Gallery. It became the Hammer Building later.
Interestingly the directors wanted Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to design the buildings. The board chose William Pereira instead. Imagine reflecting pools once surrounded these buildings. Tar from the La Brea Tar Pits caused them to be filled in.
The 1980s brought significant growth to LACMA. Private donations totaled a reported $209 million. The Robert O Anderson Building opened in 1986. Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates designed it. It is now the Art of the Americas Building. A central court was added to unify the museum’s buildings.
Bruce Goff designed the Pavilion for Japanese Art. It opened in 1988. Also the B Gerald Cantor Sculpture Garden was inaugurated. It displayed Rodin bronzes.
In 1999 the Hancock Park Improvement Project finished. It added picnic facilities and viewing sites. There was also a red granite amphitheater. Jackie Ferrara designed it.
LACMA West opened in 1998. LACMA purchased the former May Company department store. Albert C Martin Sr designed it. It increased the museum’s size by 30 percent.
In 2004 Rem Koolhaas proposed a radical plan. He wanted to raze all buildings. He envisioned a single tent-topped structure. Funding stalled the project. Renzo Piano then led a transformation.
Phase I finished in 2008. It included demolishing a parking structure. Graffiti art by Margaret Kilgallen and Barry McGee was lost. The BP Grand Entrance and BCAM opened. Eli and Edythe Broad donated $60 million. BCAM added 58000 square feet of exhibition space. The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion opened in 2010. It offered the largest naturally lit museum space.
Peter Zumthor proposed rebuilding the eastern section in 2009. The Pereira Buildings would be replaced. Skidmore Owings & Merrill collaborated on the design. The design got scaled back to save costs.
Four buildings were demolished in 2020. This made way for the reconstructed facility. The new building’s opening was pushed back to 2026.
LACMA’s collection spans 6000 years. It has over 150000 objects. These are divided by region media and time period. The Modern Art collection is in the Ahmanson Building. Tony Smith’s sculpture Smoke fills the atrium. The Janice and Henri Lazarof Collection is a highlight. It includes works by Picasso Klee and Kandinsky.
The Contemporary Art collection resides in BCAM. The Broad Art Foundation loans many works. Edward Kienholz’s Back Seat Dodge ’38 is a controversial piece.
The Art of the Americas Building features American and Latin American art. Jorge Pardo redesigned the pre-Columbian galleries. LACMA has one of the largest Latin American art collections. This is thanks to Bernard and Edith Lewin’s donation.
The Hammer Building houses the Chinese and Korean collections. LACMA claims to have the most comprehensive Korean art collection outside of Korea and Japan.
William Randolph Hearst donated much of the Greek and Roman art. The Islamic galleries contain over 1700 works. The Nasli M Heeramaneck Collection is a significant part.
LACMA’s permanent art installations include Robert Graham’s Retrospective Column. Chris Burden’s Urban Light is a popular attraction. Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass is a massive boulder.
The Wallis Annenberg Photography Department has over 15000 works. The Audrey and Sydney Irmas Collection features artists’ self-portraits.
LACMA’s film program began in the late 1960s. The museum partners with Film Independent.
Jerry Perenchio donated a $500 million art collection. It is one of the greatest art gifts ever. Eli and Edythe Broad financed BCAM.
LACMA’s Art + Film Gala raises millions. It honors artists and filmmakers.
LACMA continues to evolve. Its commitment to art and community remains strong. It truly is a landmark on Wilshire Boulevard.