Recently at LACMA’s Summer Art Camp, I asked my class what their favorite museum moment was that day. One six-year-old artist said, “The Chocolate Room and the air conditioning.”
So let’s start there. The next time you are at LACMA, luxuriate in the coolness that is ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN (and in the air conditioning too). Ruscha, who has lived and worked in Los Angeles since 1956, makes paintings, drawings, photographs, and more works of art that celebrate the look and feel of the city. Classic L.A. architecture, signage, and a lot of humor are the stars of his work. You’ll see Standard gas stations, the Hollywood Sign, Norms restaurant, and even LACMA in his paintings. If you look closely you’ll find pencils, olives, comic books, eggs, peas, and a can of Spam all painted in 1:1 actual size. Also, liquid words. You read that right. You just have to come see it.
Then there is the Chocolate Room. Tempered chocolate has been hand-screened onto sheets of paper and hung as shingles in a room that you can walk into. You can look and smell, but you can’t touch. Take some time to be surrounded by chocolate!
In the Modern Art Galleries, you can be transported to the ocean while viewing Maren Hassinger’s giant sea anemone sculpture and Constantin Brancusi’s Bird in Space. Or sit with Henri Matisse’s daughter and friend in a shady backyard in France.
Are cars more your thing? Step back in time inside Michael C. McMillan’s Central Meridian (The Garage), a cool multi-room garage with sights, sounds, and scents. Or take a ride with David Hockney along Mulholland Drive: The Road to the Studio with the top down.
Can a pool of water be considered an art material? In Simone Leigh’s exhibition you'll find Last Garment, a large sculptural installation with a reflecting pool, towards the back of the gallery. This is a fine place to quietly contemplate where we are, where we came from, and where we are going.
Beat the heat and broaden your horizons this summer at LACMA. It’s like going to Cool School. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on our full calendar of programs, with plenty of free activities for kids and families like Pop Up Art Workshops and Andell Family Sundays inspired by Ed Ruscha.