modern art

this just in: http://www.artfairsinc.com/artla/2008/index.html

time to check out the latest in modern art!

surprisingly, i never used to be a big fan of modern art, but i have derek to thank for changing my mind. i felt like i just didn't get it. it took me a while to realize that there wasn't necessarily anything in particular that i needed to get. which is why i love going to museums by myself and wandering around on my own time. and trying to figure out what it all means -- to me. i can just soak it all in, without wondering whether the person i'm with is behind me or ahead of me or waiting forever for me to meander my way through every last piece.

for art lovers and museum goers out there there, i'm a big fan of...

* bergamot station, with its bazilion galleries and the cutest paper store ever (hiromi paper international). the last installation i saw there that i loved was this exhibit of little metal climbers, hanging off the walls and dangling from the ceiling. it'd take forever to get through all the galleries, and some works are definitely more amazing than others, but it's definitely worth the drive to santa monica. perhaps on the way to a yummy lunch? if your tummy's rumbling, i've heard the gallery cafe on premises isn't too shabby.

http://www.bergamotstation.com/

* the getty center, which has OK works of art (the last exhibit i really liked was a man ray exhibit many MANY years ago), but more importantly, wonderful architecture, landscaping, and food. the tram is lovely, but it's actually a nice walk up and down the hill depending on your fitness level. if the smog has skipped town for the day, the view from the getty is pretty amazing. i was struck at first by the WHITENESS of the buildings, but i've decided that i actually really like the stark look of them. the metal sculptures outside are quite fascinating. and the gardens have a funky modern/post-modern quality to match the buildings. i've only snacked there (because my tummy's always been full), but the food options have always been worthy of moi. let's hope i can save my appetite next time! before i forget, the last time i was at the getty was for a first fridays event (at least i think that's what they're called) in the summer. totally geared towards younger museum goers, with great music, drinks, and munchies. now i just have to wait for next summer to roll around!

http://www.getty.edu/

* LACMA, which regularly brings cool exhibits to LA, including the fabulous magritte exhibit i saw last spring. totally amazing. with bowler hats on the ground leading straight from the ticket window to the gallery entrance. i'm sure the exhibit's probably set up the same way at museums across the country, but it was just cool to have it here. (when you're used to the MET and the MOMA, nothing lives up. you end up just having to take what you can get.) which means totally awesome. btw, i'm hoping to check out friday night jazz once it starts up again in april. it's too bad they don't have it year-round. you'd think they'd consider heat lamps or something.

http://www.lacma.org/

* the hammer museum, with its funky taste in modern art and pretty cool events. i think the last exhibit i really liked was a video installation. i'm usually not a fan of that stuff, but who really knows what they're a fan of anymore? in any case, this one was quite fascinating because the artist just took a video camera into a correctional facility and filmed inmates. he or she (i forget which now) just had each of them stand against a bare white wall and she just filmed them standing there for about 5-10 minutes. you might wonder whether you can tell anything about anyone by just staring at them. but you'd be surprised how much goes through your mind making up stories about people. it's not even a matter of reality, but more so what you think you can tell about someone by just looking at them. it was all quite fascinating. the hammer also hosts interview events (i saw one with margaret cho) and music events (sometimes a bit too funky, but covering a variety of musical genres), all of which are pretty darn cool. last but not least, i'm still waiting to try the food! the cafe there is run by clementine (whose grilled cheese sandwiches i still need to check out) so it should be yummilicious. but we can't rely on reviews, right? we must take on the challenge!!

http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/