June 29, 2017
Yesterday was chemo day.
It was (thankfully) another uneventful session without any negative effects. I swear they’ve been giving me sugar water! It’s quite possibly my last treatment. I’ll find out in July, after another CT scan, if the lymph nodes have shrunk back down to normal size. I’m coming up on one year since the diagnosis – and it’s been, to quote a good friend, “an astonishingly original” journey. In any case, I’ll be writing more and publishing a complete update on my personal website: www.marilynclairemurphy.com.
After chemo in Hollywood, I’d made plans with my friend Jane to meet her in downtown LA at the Broad Museum. I travel all over the world but rarely make time to explore my own city. Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve loved big cities with their skyscrapers, so just driving toward LA’s downtown skyline put me in a wonderful mood of expectancy.
Jane, who recently retired from her career in hospitality sales, is an avid museum-goer and a fan of modern art. After my delightful experience in at the Whitney Biennial in New York last month, I’ve come to appreciate modern art, too. (I’ll never forget those boloney slices . . .!)
Neither of us had been to the Broad Museum before. The price was right: free, thanks to two of our city’s generous philanthropists, Eli & Edythe Broad (Michigan natives!). He amassed his fortune building tract homes in LA and has, with his wife of 62 years, given millions of dollars to advance entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science and the arts. Their Foundations have assets of $2.4 billion! Wow!
The museum’s exterior, on Grand Avenue next door to the billowing silver sails of Frank Geary’s Disney Concert Hall, is a white honeycomb box. Its aesthetics provide a striking contrast to the shiny, curvy Disney Hall, and the holes of the honeycomb masterfully control the light inside the museum with automatic shades that lower when the sun gets bright.
The lobby is another study in contrast, with curvaceous, suede-like concrete walls.
The escalator slices through the curvaceous wall toward the honeycomb skylights
Immediately inside the entrance, a precarious stack of giant dinner plates.
Andreas Gursky’s work, Amazon, captures a moment in time of a massive Amazon warehouse. The company’s motto is seen on the columns on the far wall: “work hard, have fun, make history”
A closer inspection of Amazon’s mass distribution system of consumer goods, built from algorithms – but resembling chaos.
The artist uses an archeologist’s approach to uncover the “extreme individualism that results from consumerism.” See anything familiar here?
This was my favorite piece – a fluid “quilt” by El Anatsui from Nigeria. Made of found materials: caps and aluminum bands from liquor bottles. It reminded me of a gorgeous Japanese kimono.
Wherever it is displayed, the fluid piece takes on a unique quality, as each museum attaches it differently.
A close-up: The recycled metal fragments are symbolic of colonial powers which used alcohol as a trading currency with the Africans, leaving behind a legacy of alcoholism and poverty
I can see myself reflected in the mirror-like blue ear of Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog
Jane does the “WOW” pose in front of Koons’ colorful Tulips, constructed of seamless and mirror-polished stainless steel
Koons’ playful table and chairs was irresistible to adults and kids alike. I now know what my cats experience when they’re under the kitchen table.
When I asked one of the staff how frequently she cautions kids to “not touch,” she said it was the adults who were more difficult to control!
How creative: Tips for Artists Who Want to Sell. Note to self: paintings with bulls and roosters sell better than those with cows and hens! (Since I can’t paint any of these … I will stick to creative travel!)
I’d always considered myself more of a traditionalist. But I’m looking at things a bit differently these days. I’m also doing different things. Like stealing a few hours on a summer afternoon to join a friend in downtown LA. WOW – how creative is THAT!
So I dare you: where are you gonna go explore in your home town a little differently this summer?
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10 Comments
Ellen Gruetzmacher June 30, 2017 at 10:01am
The Broad looks AMAZING! It is now at the tippy top of my “local” bucket list! Thanks for exposing us to this fabulous place!
Suzy Kay June 30, 2017 at 10:46am
I want to go see the Broad so badly! looks like an amazing day!
Zena Schaffer June 30, 2017 at 11:24am
I visited the Broad just 2 weeks ago with a small group of friends. We’ve decided to seek out places of interest here in our city to visit, monthly. We’re on your “wave length”!
Julie Franz June 30, 2017 at 5:29pm
The next time you go to the Broad, be sure to see the “Mirrored Infinity Room!” It is amazing! It is best to go sign up for a time as soon as you enter the museum, because slots fill up quickly.
Marilyn July 1, 2017 at 10:17am
Thanks, Julie … it was completely booked up – but they are bringing back a larger such exhibit in the fall – with registration opening on Sept 1. I absolutely WILL catch it next time.
Laila July 1, 2017 at 3:07pm
Thanks for the update !Enjoyed reading .
Jane Halsey July 1, 2017 at 7:13pm
Such fun to see this and relive it through your post! Have entered my new email as I missed this post as it went to work email.
Karen July 2, 2017 at 7:03am
Love that Nigerian piece as well! I play a game at museums…if I could take home 1 piece in each room, which one would it be? We’ll have to fight over that one! I’ve been spending a lot of time in “DTLA” the last few years and have learned it is truly a city of angels. Let me know next time you want an urban adventure. I’ll take you to the Arts District (which has a little art and a lot of good food!). We are overdue for a catch-up!
Marilyn July 2, 2017 at 6:41pm
Jane and I were playing that same game! Gosh – it’s been HOW many years since we’ve seen each other?? Yes – way overdue. Would love to explore the Arts District with you!
Karen July 26, 2017 at 8:09am
Marilyn, the Broad is now displaying 2 more pieces by that Nigerian artist…we can each have our own! If you want to send me an email, I’ll reply that way with my phone # so we can set up a date sometime before the year is over! Karen