LOS ANGELES — Following years of development, budget escalations, and design revisions, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is set to unveil its new building this weekend. Under the guidance of director Michael Govan, the project reshapes LACMA’s eclectic campus into a unified, flowing edifice. It seeks to redefine the concept of an encyclopedic museum by prioritizing thematic links over traditional categorizations.
Govan, addressing a press preview, stated, “Nineteenth-century museums were about categorization and knowledge, but we live in modern Los Angeles, where migration and interconnectedness are so essential to our daily life.” The project, however, has faced criticism regarding its design by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, its $720 million cost, and its reduced exhibition space compared to the previous structures.
Despite controversies, Govan has garnered significant financial backing, including a $150 million donation from David Geffen. The museum’s exterior retains connections to its past with pieces like Tony Smith’s “Smoke” and Alexander Calder’s restored fountain. New features include Mariana Castillo Deball’s “Feathered Changes” and Jeff Koons’s “Split-Rocker,” the latter donated by Lynda and Stewart Resnick.
Inside, the museum departs from familiar art-historical displays, embracing a layout that allows for personal exploration. The David Geffen Galleries offer 110,000 square feet of exhibition space featuring a global collection organized around bodies of water. The galleries encourage visitors to chart their own paths, with thematic sections like “Indigenismo in Latin America” and “The Ancient Mediterranean: Merging Beliefs.”
The museum’s design challenges traditional experiences, with glass surroundings and natural light connecting the interior to Southern California’s landscape. While this design offers a modern twist, it may hinder the classic immersive museum experience. However, it paves the way for a dynamic exploration of art, as emphasized by Diana Magaloni, who highlights the institution’s role in sparking curiosity and questioning rather than merely providing information.
