LOS ANGELES, CA
Adventure time is my favorite time. And for this one, I was lucky to be accompanied by two of the most beautiful souls in the whole universe, my mom and my nephew. A museum might not seem like the ideal place for a 5-year-old, but with a little imagination, we found ourselves in an exciting world.
Mason had wide eyes and a giant smile as the tram slowly climbed higher and higher. To the sky we went. As we exited toward the arrival plaza, my heart filled with wonder. For the next several hours I bounced around trying to take in as much as possible. My mother and Mason cruised along more slowly, he on wheels, she navigating their path.
Aphrodite, Roman, 100 B.C.—100 A.D. – Marble
Of all that I saw that day, I connected with this piece most. I can’t tell you why, but I’ll try. It represents only a part of a person, and yet from that part comes a sense of the whole. It could be me (or you), at once both imperfect and divine. It’s a portal, from the present to two thousand years ago. She is shaped earth, protected and revered.
These thoughts did not come to me in the moment in which I stood before it. No, they come to me now as I attempt to understand my affinity to her. And maybe that’s it. Maybe it’s simply that she caused me to pause, and to reflect. Or maybe I’ve neglected the obvious—after all, she is the Greek goddess of love. For longer than I can remember I’ve worshipped nothing more.
The placard to the right tells a brief history of the sculpture. Aphrodite stands “at her bath, reaching down to unfasten her sandal.” I chuckle. The description reminds me of those photo collages in celebrity tabloids, like US Weekly’s regular two-page spread: “They’re Just Like Us.”
Torso of a Draped Female, Roman, A.D. 1-100.
Is that blue sky even real?! So much about this place feels as if it’s straight out of a dream. And I guess it all is…out of someone’s dream. The art, the architecture, the landscaping.
Designed by Richard Meier, the Getty Center campus features 1.2 million square feet of Italian travertine. Curved elements were added throughout to soften the grid lines of the stone tiles and blocks. And glass walls allow natural light to fill the interiors. No words can accurately convey the immensity and beauty of the place. You’ll have to see it for yourself.
Where the stone meets the sky,
And I lounge idly by
Shallow waters, a shy look in my eyes,
Artists past and artists new, they mystify.
My, his, and hers…our expressions don’t lie.
♥
Mars and Venus, Bronze, about 1575
Venus and Mars, love and war. Hers a passionate embrace. His one of dutiful unattachment. The sculpture description owes the representation of the enduring feminine and masculine contrast to Renaissance stereotypes. Fast forward 400 years… Have we shaken ourselves free?
Venus and Cupid, Bronze, about 1550
“With cool detachment and exaggerated elegance, Venus gestures toward Cupid to take his arrow (now missing).” Are you beginning to see a pattern? I think I am. Forever will I be a hopeless romantic. My sign is fire, my love unrequited. 💘
Portrait of Princess Leonilla of Sayn-Wittengenstein-Sayn by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, Oil on Canvas, 1843
I find oil paintings to be absolutely fascinating. The fine strokes make me wonder how one could possibly possess such talent, patience, and attention to detail. The colors are striking. This portrait is 56 inches high and 83 and a half inches wide! So yes, as I rushed through the museum halls in search of pieces that instantly grabbed my attention, my eyes darted in her direction, and my journey came to an abrupt halt. Simply marvelous!
The Galle Chandelier, about 1818-19
Now this is what I aimed to see from the moment we arrived. The French chandelier is suspended at eye level in an all-black room, making it a perfect subject with the perfect backdrop. Even I—with a point-and-shoot camera and untrained eye—managed to take this gorgeous photo.
So much about our existence and universe sets my mind ablaze, such as the stars under which we are born. As any true Leo would do, I circled round scanning the signs of the zodiac for my own. Click! 📸
Considered modern for its time, the 18-candle chandelier resembles a hot air balloon, where in place of a basket for human passengers, sits a glass bowl intended for goldfish. I deeply envy its owner because if you ask me, I think it would look quite fabulous in my humble, 1,000-square foot apartment in North Hollywood. (Don’t worry, it’s been restored sans goldfish.)
The Central Garden
The 134,000-square-foot Central Garden is reason enough to spend a warm Sunday afternoon at the Getty Center. Fresh oxygen and nature’s mesmerizing design…here you’ll find the perfect place to put your spirit at ease.
Although some need no excuse to act free of inhibition, I appreciate the encouragement that comes from my nephew. When I’m with him, suddenly I’m 36 going on five. At the upper edge of the garden is a stream of water slowly making its way to the fall ahead. It called out to us, to enjoy its coolness. So we took off our sandals and accepted the invitation.
This moment reminded me of a scene from the animated 1988 movie The Land Before Time. It was a favorite of mine and my brother’s, and now of Mason’s too. The lead character is a young brontosaurus named Little Foot, who by the way eats plant-based as well. 😉 His mother comes across a lone leaf on otherwise bare trees. It looked a lot like this one. She tells him it’s a “tree star” that will help him grow strong, and that where they’re going, they’ll find many more. And thus ensues their pilgrimage to the Great Valley.
Before our toes could turn to raisins we journeyed on. At our left was a grassy hillside where children played and others lounged in the shade of the buildings and trees. I told Mason he should go to the top, lie down with his arms folded across his chest and legs straight, and roll to the bottom. His response? I had to do it too! I couldn’t say no.
Down we rolled, again and again. It didn’t matter that afterward my head was pounding and my skin itchy. He was happy. ❤️
I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. —Vincent Van Gogh
FOOD & DRINK
At some point you’re bound to get hungry or thirsty—the Getty Center is huge! Fortunately for us herbivores, there are plenty of options to choose from, and the venues have been given quite original names: the Restaurant, the Cafe, and the Garden Terrace Cafe. Also on the grounds are two coffee carts with non-dairy fixin’s.
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burger and fries from the Grill at the Getty, inside the Cafe
Before leaving for home, we stopped at the Cafe for a late bite. The food offered here is cafeteria-style, with pre-prepped meals to go, including vegan salads and hummus; and several stations, each with its own menu, vegan items clearly marked, and all ingredients listed.
At the Grill at the Getty, there were two plant-based burger choices: the Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burger and Beyond Burger. You can make either a combo by adding a huge serving of French fries or sweet potato fries. At the Kitchen Station, the options were limited to sides, but each sounded quite tasty: charred Brussels sprouts with a golden raisin vinaigrette, sautéed green beans with toasted almonds, and steamed zucchini and squash. Had the Fiesta Plates station still been open by the time we arrived in the Cafe, I would have gone with the Asada Rubbed Tofu, available in tacos, burritos, or Fiesta bowls.
For a full-service dining experience, reservations at the Restaurant are recommended. They have a seasonal menu with many dishes easily prepared vegan. Some selections require no substitutions, like the Roasted Cauliflower—pickled cucumber, yuzu glazed zucchini, sesame seed, ninja radish, and kimchi. Not very hungry? Stop by for a cocktail or beer, or check out their extensive wine and champagne lists.
I know, I know. This was quite a long post. If you stuck with it until the end, thank you! ✌🏼