The Broad, a wonderful art museum in DTLA, is free. Before yesterday, I've been only twice since I've lived in California, both times with others. It's nice to be with friends or family but I think it short-changes one from fully exploring a museum or for that matter any space where beauty & creativity are present.
So yesterday I went out on my own, using my newly-acquired Senior Metro Pass which allows me to ride the bus or train for only $.35 each way. I am unfamiliar with the downtown area, but thanks to Google Maps, I could easily figure out which way to walk once I left the train station. Guess in which direction I had to go? Answer: UP and UP! The short walk (about 5-6 blocks) included about 4 which took me waaay up a steep hill that has "hill" in its name, Bunker Hill. Nothing could have informed me how out-of-shape I was more than the fact that I needed to stop twice in that trek. Whew! There is a funicular (yes) that traverses Bunker Hill. It was featured in "La-La Land" and after the film's release this funky little trolley on tracks was revived.
By the time I got to the base of the hill, I didn't want to detour to find that rail, so I walked, slowly, to the museum which was a hubbub of activity that I'm attributing to winter break for most students. The ideal way to see The Broad is to get your free ticket online. If you don't you have to wait outside for entry, at the rate of a few at a time. Once inside, go directly to the other side of the outer waiting area to put your name on the list to see the Infinity Room, a semi-permanent exhibit by Yayoi Kusama. I put my name in and was told to expect a tweet in 2 hours. That's perfect because it gave me plenty of time to view the rest of the museum. The layout is fascinating because each room has only a small selection of art, but it is a bit of a maze, which makes you feel you can miss a room if you're not looking at your map. I was into 3-D, including the following:
ABOVE: Seated Woman by Ron Mueck
BELOW: Goldfish Bowl by Roy Lichtenstein
I really enjoyed a sculpture by Yayoi Kusama on the 3rd floor. Of course it meant I had to stand in another line, but the museum employees are really good about limiting the viewing to 45 seconds so the line moves quickly. This is what it looks like from a short distance.
But once I got to explore it, I couldn't believe this relatively small structure contained so much. I had to be like every other tourist, using my phone camera to see this exhibit. I'm glad I did because it's fun to revisit this and share it.
My hours at The Broad were well-spent so on my way back to the Metro station, I stopped into the Library Bar during Happy Hour where I had a beer, some vegan nachos, and read my book, because anytime I'm on public transportation, you know I have reading material with me! And what better place to read my book than sitting at this bar?
Don't judge me on the color of this vegan cheese! Trust me, dairy won't be replaced anytime soon.
So yesterday I went out on my own, using my newly-acquired Senior Metro Pass which allows me to ride the bus or train for only $.35 each way. I am unfamiliar with the downtown area, but thanks to Google Maps, I could easily figure out which way to walk once I left the train station. Guess in which direction I had to go? Answer: UP and UP! The short walk (about 5-6 blocks) included about 4 which took me waaay up a steep hill that has "hill" in its name, Bunker Hill. Nothing could have informed me how out-of-shape I was more than the fact that I needed to stop twice in that trek. Whew! There is a funicular (yes) that traverses Bunker Hill. It was featured in "La-La Land" and after the film's release this funky little trolley on tracks was revived.
By the time I got to the base of the hill, I didn't want to detour to find that rail, so I walked, slowly, to the museum which was a hubbub of activity that I'm attributing to winter break for most students. The ideal way to see The Broad is to get your free ticket online. If you don't you have to wait outside for entry, at the rate of a few at a time. Once inside, go directly to the other side of the outer waiting area to put your name on the list to see the Infinity Room, a semi-permanent exhibit by Yayoi Kusama. I put my name in and was told to expect a tweet in 2 hours. That's perfect because it gave me plenty of time to view the rest of the museum. The layout is fascinating because each room has only a small selection of art, but it is a bit of a maze, which makes you feel you can miss a room if you're not looking at your map. I was into 3-D, including the following:
ABOVE: Seated Woman by Ron Mueck
BELOW: Goldfish Bowl by Roy Lichtenstein
But once I got to explore it, I couldn't believe this relatively small structure contained so much. I had to be like every other tourist, using my phone camera to see this exhibit. I'm glad I did because it's fun to revisit this and share it.
My hours at The Broad were well-spent so on my way back to the Metro station, I stopped into the Library Bar during Happy Hour where I had a beer, some vegan nachos, and read my book, because anytime I'm on public transportation, you know I have reading material with me! And what better place to read my book than sitting at this bar?
Don't judge me on the color of this vegan cheese! Trust me, dairy won't be replaced anytime soon.
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