On May 4, the David Geffen Galleries, the new main building of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), officially opened to the public. The building showcases the museum’s permanent collection, acting as a bold expression of LA pride within a city built on experimentation and cultural expression. The David Geffen Galleries will serve as the new main building at LACMA, created to fit the museum’s permanent collection.
These galleries have been in development for approximately 20 years, costing roughly $724 million to $742 million. Around 2,500-3,000 art pieces are to be displayed in the opening installation of the galleries.
The David Geffen Galleries also now stretch across Wilshire Boulevard in an elevated structure unlike traditional museums. The concept follows a thematic arrangement of pieces rather than a time period. This architectural choice reflects the layered influences that collectively shape LA’s identity. The unconventional design and concept of the David Geffen Galleries were curated to present art in a way that is relevant to the diverse audiences of LA. LACMA has created a building that challenges expectations, much like the city itself.
History and Social Sciences Department Head Anna Robinson reflected on LACMA’s impact on the city.
“When I drive by and see those iconic lamps [the art installation “Urban Light”], I feel a little flutter in my stomach that I do associate with LA pride,” Robinson said.
In the past, LACMA presented exhibits that attracted and resonated with diverse communities throughout LA. One of the most influential exhibits at LACMA was “The Obama Portraits Tour.” From November 2021 to January 2022, LACMA displayed portraits of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in the Resnick Pavilion. These portraits were painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, the first ever African American artists commissioned for the presidential portraits. The contemporary art style, combined with political and cultural history, attracted visitors who may not normally attend art museums. Unlike other exhibits that target art enthusiasts, the Obama portraits connected with a varied audience. The portraits acted as symbols of a turning point in American history, representing progress and a modern American identity. As a result, LACMA exposed a broader audience to works of art that help define LA.
“What I really loved about it was seeing how that specific exhibit engaged with the true community of Los Angeles,” Robinson said.
The David Geffen Galleries will continue to inspire a diverse audience while portraying the complexities of LA’s identity. While LACMA’s exhibitions have resonated across LA as a whole, this exhibition will hopefully inspire Marlborough students in the future by sparking conversation about how identities can be represented through artworks.
Students of Robinson’s AP Art History Class take one field trip to an art exhibit every year. This allows them to engage with works they have studied throughout the year. In one year, students visited an exhibit for the artist Seher Shah.
“The way that students responded and the attention they were able to give her work was a real point of pride for me,” Robinson said.
With the opening of the new galleries at LACMA, hopefully, Marlborough students will have the opportunity to connect with art in ways that aren’t strictly through a historical timeline. The David Geffen Galleries can inspire students to think about how art mirrors community and identity.
LACMA has redefined how audiences experience different art forms. By engaging with the art in these new galleries, both Marlborough students and community members can deepen their connection and understanding of the diverse culture that shapes the city of Los Angeles.
“I’m excited to see what they have on display and this new thematic way of approaching exhibitions,” Robinson said.
