Laurie Zinkand-Selles
The Getty Center in Los Angeles is one of my favourite places. Over the past dozen years my husband and I have been there several times. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of visiting! It is so wonderful to see and experience a space to well done.
Designed by the architect Richard Meier, the buildings and gardens are beautifully thought out, with such careful attention given to materials and details. The travertine used to clad the buildings has a rough texture, while the same stone used for the walkways is smooth. The warmth of the colour contrasts beautifully with the blue sky and the various gardens throughout the complex.
There are several fountains at the Center, but due the the severe drought in California, they are empty. There is water in the pool at the bottom of the Central Garden. This is filled with a flowering maze of azaleas; spectacular!
The Getty Center
On our most recent visit, in mid- April, we arrived at the Getty around lunchtime, after an early morning flight from Toronto. Perfecting timing to enjoy lunch on the patio overlooking Los Angeles!
The Garden Terrace Cafe
Afterwards we enjoyed seeing Painting Set Free, an exhibition of work by J.M.W. Turner, a British landscape painter. The exhibition was recently on view at the Tate Britain in London, one I’d missed by only a week, so I was very happy for the chance to see it.
The artworks are ethereal and beautifully painted. However, at the time in which they were done, Turner was given little support by the critics or the public. It is interesting to note, that the work he is most famous for was done after he was 60 years old.
Painting on Fire