How to Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:VisitMuseumContemporaryArtLosAngeles
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How to Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

Introduction

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, California houses one of the largest collections of modern art in the U.S. The MOCA's main building on Grand Avenue holds the major part of the collection while the Geffen Contemporary and the Pacific Design Center showcase temporary exhibits and smaller, specialized collections.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Make the Most of Your Museum Visit

Steps

1

Step One

Visit all three Los Angeles buildings, as they complement each other and showcase a complete range of works created by both American and European artists. Some recent work is on exhibit, but the main collection focuses on artists from the '40s and '50s.
2

Step Two

Visit the Grand Avenue building to see work by Sam Durant, Franz Kline, Roy Lichtenstein, Elizabeth Murray, Jackson Pollock, Joel Shapiro and Frank Stella.
3

Step Three

Expect a lot of non-traditional work, from handmade skaters to photographic exhibitions on feminism. Interactive displays that are focused on media are among the main attractions of the collection.
4

Step Four

Visit the Geffen Contemporary to see multimedia installations and large sculptural exhibits housed in an impressive building. The three-story ceilings and the large open spaces are as much works of art as the paintings housed within the museum.
5

Step Five

Visit the Pacific Design Center to see furniture showrooms, emerging artists and screenings, or stop by just to see the incredible blue-glass building known to locals as "the blue whale."
6

Step Six

Visit on Sunday if you're there with children. The museum hosts a program called For Families in which people can learn about the museum, and then get hands-on practice through a series of planned events.
7

Step Seven

Participate in the after-hours specials, which include music, talks and live entertainment. Saturday's shows are especially popular, and the museum tends to be packed on that day.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Remember that the buildings are not in the same area of Los Angeles, and you need to factor in traveling time if you're planning on seeing all three buildings on the same day.
  • Parking during the weekend is extremely complicated. Either go early in the morning or take public transportation to make the trip easier.
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