de Young

5/31/2012

I've been to De Young a couple of times for the exhibit and once for a night event. The latest exhibit I went to was the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit and I must say it was very very very impressive. I loved it! Regular admission price is $10 and an extra $10 for special exhibits. I thought it was slightly expensive and I wasn't able to find discounts online BOO but if you go during the first weekend of the month and show them your BofA card, you can get in for free. I'm sure the museum will also be crowwwwww-ded as heck too. But, if you're a student (or like my friend, still have your student card with you haha) you save $3.

Anywho, the person helping us with our tickets didn't seem like he wanted to be there. But besides him, the rest of the staff was friendly and informative.

The JPG exhibit was SO FASCINATING! It was so creative and interesting. When we first walked in, we thought that the mannequins were actual people but it turns out they used a projector for the faces. So creative! It must've taken the team hours to re-design all the clothes and style all the mannequins and I'm glad they did because it was really cool. I also learned something new! haha I didn't know JPG was the mastermind behind Madonna's like a virgin corset. It was pretty cool. My fave was the crazy wedding dress that took him 300+ hours to make and the coat jumper with matching thigh-high boots on the circle runway thingy. I snapped a lot of pics =) JPG is so talented. His fashion is definitely something I dare not wear but love to look at. I would love to see his runaway live. Can't say enough about the exhibit, it was so fascinating!

After we finished checking out the exhibit we went to the tower and had an amazing view of the area and it was a clear day so we were able to see the tip of the Golden Gate Bridge from where we were and it was amazing! I highly recommend visiting De Young during their special exhibits. The JPG exhibit, especially, will be there until August!

6/4/2013

Be sure to see the wonderful "Rembrandt's Century" exhibit before it leaves June 2nd, if you are a fan of etchings. My one quibble is that these works deserve close scrutiny to appreciate their wonderful detail. L. mentions that in one etching of Rembrandt's banker (who helped him out of bankruptcy), the banker is seated amidst a collection of art works imported by the Dutch East Asian company. Behind him is a seated Buddha sculpture and, when L. finally got through the crowd and up close to look with a magnifying glass, she could read millimeter sized Chinese characters on the statue's "apron." The guards didn't appreciate her proximity to the piece and it was made somewhat uncomfortable by the odd placement of the large floor registers blowing cold air up right in front of the etching.

So after seeing the exhibit, you might check the gift shop, your local book store or, if necessary, Amazon, and think about purchasing The Complete Etchings of Rembrandt: Reproduced in Original Size (Dover Fine Art, History of Art) so that you can take time to examine, with a magnifier, these master works. Then pass the book on to a friend or relative.

My photo "If this is what the men's bathroom looks like, the art itself MUST be excellent" is on the museum's photo page of Yelp. Also "Goldsworthy's crack--ain't gonna steal this, Mr. Art Thief."

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  Goldsworthy's crack--ain't gonna steal this, Mr. Art Thief!

  Goldsworthy's crack--ain't gonna steal this, Mr. Art Thief!
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  If this is what the men's bathroom looks like in the DeYoung, the art itself MUST be excellent.

  If this is what the men's bathroom looks like in the DeYoung, the art itself MUST be excellent.

10/2/2013

Pluses:
Good cafe
Their standard collection is reasonably strong for a West Coast museum.
Provides a good contrast with the Legion (which has the European collection compared with the New World/American collection at de Young and the special exhibits at the legion are comparatively context heavy)
Parking is available

Cons:
Poor layout to special exhibits which on occasion are poorly lit
Mediocre architecture
Collection is split with the Legion
Some of the exhibits lack context or subtext

Overall:
It's tough rating a museum poorly. De Young is certainly not a bad space or a shabby museum and I am a member, but there is something that I've always found off putting. It's the lack of substance.

You go to a major exhibit and it's almost more tumblr than a museum. I want to experience the art, but I also want to put the art in context. Even the special exhibits rarely have more than a single paragraph about the artist including Picasso which had no text and the impressionist exhibit didn't have more than a few sentences between them. So don't expect much.

If you want even the slightest bit of info you have to pay for the audio, which the exhibits are already at the upper range of what most museum tickets run. I'm also generally anti-audio tour because it pulls you away from experiencing the art in any visceral sense. And then leaves the audience a bunch of bumbling idiots. Nothing is worse for experiencing art then ungracefully stepping on each others toes with a constant cacophony of apologies. "Oh sorry, sorry....oh sorry didn't mean to run into you.  Oops sorry."

4/6/2013

I always bring visitors to the observatory for the great 360-degree intro to the city. It's free, just walk in and to the right, there's elevators tucked in the back. Take it all the way to the top, and TA-DA! Hello, gorgeous city!

I did actually go to the museum recently and I was less than impressed. Only a few pieces made me really stop and examine it, like The Spine and Tooth of Santo Guerro (2007). Guns, bullets, shot, steel, glass, tooth, bone, 15th-century fabric. Commenting on the historical connection between religious intolerance and warfare. UH YEAH, love it.

Admission also grants you entrance to the Legion of Honor, and there's random free days, just check the website.

3/18/2012 Updated review

I came to San Francisco to see the Stephen de Staebler sculpture exhibition.  He died last year but I was glad to see many of his sculptures assembled here.  De Staebler is one of my favorite artists as his work shares similarities with the iconic Alberto Giacometti.

Even on a crowded Saturday, I had the two galleries mostly to myself.  Everyone else hovered in celebration around the many floral displays of the annual Bouquets to Art exhibit while I reveled in the cracked stoneware of de Staebler's broken and decayed -- but heroic and life-affirming -- bodies and masks.  It was worth the drive from LA.

If you don't have the time or the price of admission, just walk down Market Street near Grant to see a bronze of one of de Staebler's large winged figures.

7/6/2013

While the art was enjoyable, the staff was rude and unhelpful. No one, or no where, did they indicate that the observation deck and cafe close at 4:30pm. They also failed to tell us that there would be a private event outside and rather than enjoying our coffee in the cafe (which closed the door on us) or the sculpture garden, we had to chug it in the breezeway because drinks aren't allowed in the galleries. When asked how to get somewhere, the staff person wouldn't tell me where it was, just that it was "closed". The store also closes at the same time as the museum, which means you can't buy anything on your way out (their loss). As we were walking out, a staff member literally yelled at us to keep walking so he could shut the gate.

Not a pleasant experience and I don't plan on returning.

9/3/2013

Public Service Announcement: The tower closes early, at 4:30 PM most days, so hit that early in your visit: yelp.com/biz_photos/de-y…

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  Public Service Announcement: the tower closes sooner than you think.

  Public Service Announcement: the tower closes sooner than you think.
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3/5/2014

De Young itself is an incredible museum, friendly staff too. I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the Picasso exhibit with a docent, who was an expert on the exhibit. If it wasn't for the docent, I don't think I would have navigated Cubism successfully, but she was exceptionally knowledgeable about Picasso. I'll be back for sure next time I'm in the Bay Area, no matter the exhibit.

1/13/2013

I'm not going to write a full review, as I didn't actually pay the $20 dollars go see the museum... and now you're asking, what am I doing here?

A friend of mine brought me here, and when we get in, there is a bag check. No bags, so I walk through. Immediately, there is a ticking area, but that can all be bypassed. Head to the end of the room and turn left towards the elevators. There will be a small room with art. When we went this past weekend, there were some wired arts with lights shining on them to create some really cool shadows.

When you get to the elevator, go to the top floor... I can't remember if it was 6th floor or the 9th, but every other floor is for the workers.

When you get to the top floor, it's an observatory. There are some touristy stuff to buy, but just enjoy the view! It was a gorgeous day, and you get a 360 view of the area. You can see the golden gate bridge, the bay, Cal Academy, a bunch of houses, golden gate park, just really a gorgeous view. There is also some seating, and its very quiet. Great place to kind of take a step back in awe, being remembered that in the grand scheme of things, we're little parts of this ginormous world.

There is a big map of all of SF (its a satellite photo); and stare at it, and now,, imagine it used to be all trees, and now it's covered with all man made buildings. It's a bit sad.

Awesome observatory, I'll be back for the museum sometime.

4/13/2012

I love the smell of museums in the morning! I've been visiting the De Young since I was little and it's only gotten better over the years. I love the textile arts area, the natural light of the vaulted ceiling rooms in the contemporary art wing, the observation tower, the green grounds and *excuse me while I girl out* all the fashion exhibitions! I loved the Vivienne Westwood show a few years back, and we recently saw the stunning Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition. The clothing was heaven, the talking and singing mannequins were innovative, and the dramatic layout created an intense mood that made the exhibit that much better.

Parking can be tricky but other than that, no complaints with the delightful De Young.

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  room in the Gaultier exhibit

  room in the Gaultier exhibit
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  2012 Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit

  2012 Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit

4/14/2014

Came here on Friday night to see the college art in display. This museum is beautiful and quite happening on Friday nights. There was a band playing and drinks were being served. We went up on the high rise and the view of the city was beautiful. The gift shop was also great! Lots of sustainable items, great to shop at for gifts. I definitely will be back here.

9/6/2013

Modern art museum with various paintings and sculptures to check out. We made it here near closing time so we were kind of limited in what we could see because of time. The artwork was impressive and they even had art of George Washington made out of dollar bills, now that's cool! I believe it was $12 for adult admission, which isn't bad considering how big this museum is. They even have a cafe outside but it was closed when we were there.

9/15/2012

de Young is the great way to spend a day or a date in SF, especially when there's free admission to the museum and its general exhibits the first Sunday of each month (thanks to Target). And with Jean Paul Gualtier exhibit up and about for an additional cost - hello eccentric risky outfits of Madonna, Chris Rock,  and all the daring pop icons of haute couture!

Best part of de Young though is the free observation deck with a wonderful 360 degree view of SF, come on a nice day and ride up to see it all! Just be sure to check when the observation deck closes so you don't miss your chance.

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5/31/2013

Dual Exhibitions: "A Girl with a Pearl Earring" and "Rembrandt's Century"

Most of my reviews are food. I never wrote a review on an art museum which is unfortunate as I was an art history major at college. I have a deep appreciation for art. I went to exhibitions like the 2-part series of the Musee d'Orsay Exhibition at the de Young and "Picasso's Influence on American Art" at the SF MOMA. During those times I never wrote a review for either exhibition and I enjoyed both of them. Let this be my first art museum review.

I specifically came here for "A Girl with a Pearl Earring" Exhibition. As you enter this exhibition there is the complimentary exhibition of "Rembrandt's Century". I recommend checking out "Rembrandt's Century" first before heading to "A Girl with Pearl Earring". The Rembrandt exhibition details engravings during the 17th century. It provides you an insight of art in Holland during that time. However personally the number of works displayed in this exhibition is overwhelming. You don't have a chance to grasp each work. My previous experience is when there are too many works to look at you get fatigue. Overall the Rembrandt exhibition is a nice way to start an exhibition. On the other hand I did prefer "A Girl with a Pearl Earring" much better than the Rembrandt exhibition. There are 35 paintings on this exhibition. These paintings were highly selective for this exhibition. As the saying goes "quality over quantity" and "A Girl with a Pearl Earring" fits this description. For both exhibitions I highly recommend the audio tour to get insights.

I can't wait for another great exhibition at the de Young.

7/12/2011

This review is primarily for the special exhibit Picasso. I spent the majority of my time in this exhibit, although I did enjoy the architecture throughout the museum. I plan on coming back soon and checking out their permanant collection.

The Picasso exhibit is running through October 2011 and it's all the private collection that Picasso decided to keep for himself. He eventually donated them and is now the permanent collection in the Musee National Picasso in Paris.

With over 100 pieces for display, its unheard of to have that many Picasso art and sculptures all in one museum (well except for the Musee National Picasso) so to have it local here in California is definitely a treat and much easier to see.

I recommend getting the audio tour for $7 more. Not only you get the background on some of the paintings, but you get to learn a lot about Picasso and his many mistresses. And his paintings show that too.

Some of my favorites included his self portrait, the Matador, portrait of Olga, portrait of Dora Maar and so much more.

I recommend seeing this as soon as you can. The Musee National Picasso was closed during my visit in Paris due to renovations and they are close to finishing so all of this art will soon be back in Paris for a long time. They have discounts for students, members and senior citizens so you have nothing to complain about. So just go out there and see some Picasso.

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8/3/2011

One thing Picasso said is "The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do"?

That's an interesting statement Pablo.  Right when I walked in the lady at the desk where I purchased tickets gave instant attitude.  Then I showed her my discount on Scoutmob and she said "no".  The nice lady next to her corrected the situation, that I could use my discount, and the lady acted more agitated.  I think she needs a hug or a role model.  But that wasn't gonna stop me from having a good evening.  Like Pablo said the world doesn't make sense, which includes that lady..

Anyways on to the exibihit.  So to keep myself entertained.  Another quote from Picasso was "There are only two types of women, Doormats and Goddesses".  

Looking around there were a lot of paintings of women.  So every time I looked at a painting of a woman, I thought to myself, "doormat or goddess?"  My guess.. 24 doormats and 7 goddesses.  

Along with that I saw naked people, a lot of sculptures of heads, and abstract art.  One thing I did appreciate and learned about Picasso is how he didn't like war.  There was one painting of the Korean War of an army against defenseless women and children.  I feel you brother..  I was gonna bust out some Buffalo Springfield: "i think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound, everybody look what's goin down...". youtube.com/watch?v=KuGc…

In the end the Picasso exhibit was interesting.  Sometimes life, and art isn't created to make sense of it all.  The question isn't why or how come.  It's just the way it is.

8/6/2012

I know people are really polarized about the de Young. Yeah, now with the Academy right there it makes a massive vortex or swirling traffic into a beautiful park. And yeah, you might think it's a blight on the SF skyline, totally out of sync with the aesthetic of the park.

But if you're prepared to look beyond that it's pretty great. Just went to Gualtier last weekend and while $20 seemed a bit high, the exhibit was great. Same with the Westwood I went to a few years back.

Beyond their special exhibitions the standing art they have there is great. I think nearly all of their permanent collections are worth seeing. The layout of the museum is also great and you're able to get around quickly and easily while still maintaining that sense of wonder you get from most good museums.

Don't forget to check out the observation deck on the 9th floor. The view is insane.

10/8/2013

Went to the Bulgari exhibit ,It was fantastic
!So well done!Great food at food court.Everyone very attentive absolute
worth it !to see it.

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  Bulgari Exhibit

  Bulgari Exhibit

1/18/2014

Glad I knew a member and got in free.  I hate spending money on museums.  Saw the Bulgari exhibit, which was nice but kinda small.  Then toodled around some of the adjoining areas and we were kinda bored.  Your bags get searched upon entry and don't even think of taking a picture.  There is a big cafe if you want a drink or bite to eat.

6/19/2014

"Modernism" exhibit is overpriced with mostly unknown/underwhelming pieces.  ($30 including weak audio tour.)  The Legion of Honor exhibits are better right now.  Otherwise The de Young usually does a nice job.  (4 stars)

6/1/2013

I used to lose myself in the old De Young. Every time I went there, I fell into a time warp with the 17thC Dutch paintings; the reconstructed Tudor, Italian and Age of Reason rooms situated amidst the glories of the last few centuries of Western European art. And the small but quality collection of ancient artifacts, including an actual mummy and a Roman sarcophagus! Then a stroll over to the Asian Art Museum for more tasty wonders there. Coming here was an almost heavenly experience when I was younger. I suspected things were 'going South' when they exiled the European art to the Legion, and definitley knew it when the Asian collection flew-the-coop to Civic Center pigeon land. All that was left was American and Tribal folk art. Not that that is a bad thing.

I've purposely avoided the new De Young for years, but decided to check it out finally. On approach, it has all the appearance of a rust bucket B-29 assembly plant left over from WWII and once you get inside, has all the charm of Walmart/meets/Hilbert space. Museum guides that have all the charm of annoyed ocelots cajoling old ladies and tiny children, DHS style on little infractions of absurd improprieties. You'd think at least they would have a bigger selection of overpriced toy food. After breezing through the rather sparse and uninteresting offerings on the various levels, you'll begin to wonder if you are in a real art museum or have "been had".

In all, a 'must see' only if you're into Oceanic wooden phallic art or the school of American sentimental landscape painting, otherwise, a venue to be avoided at all costs.  In all.. a disappointment to those who knew what a real museum could be and that is what the De Young once was, but is no longer.
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I forgot, they kept the entrance-way water garden/fountain from the old place. A suggestion, just see that and go on to something else.

2/25/2014

This place is great for cultural arts lovers. You will enjoy this place if you have an open mind. You also have access to the observation deck. If you are afraid of heights, or the faint of heart, I do not recommend the observation deck whatsoever. You can spend a few hours here if you go through each room one piece at a time. Overall, great for one time, otherwise only visit if an exhibit interests you.

8/1/2013

I've been here for the Impressionist exhibit a few years ago but came here recently for a wedding. Although it was freezing cold for an outdoor venue, the service was excellent for cocktail hour in the observation deck and dinner in the museum. It was definite fine dining experience with the courses and wait staff.

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  Observation floor overlooking Academy of Science

  Observation floor overlooking Academy of Science

2/18/2014

This is a great museum and the only reason I'm giving it four stars is because. . . oh I can't think of anything! Let's make that five stars. The best thing to do is get a membership because they have a lot of great exhibits that come and go and even going just a few times a year makes the membership worthwhile. Right now they have Georgia O-Keefe (Lake George period) downstairs. Check out, spend the day looking at beautiful and thought-provoking art, then take a trip up to the observation deck. Go home satisfied.

7/29/2011

Since I love art, honey accompanied me to the De Young. He tried to soak in as much and so did I within our 2 hour visit. We even stopped to grab something to eat at the cafe and enjoyed the outside air a bit.

There's the Picasso and Balenciaga exhibit too. We got a chance to see the Balenciaga exhibit, but didn't have time to see Picasso. I did enjoy the time at the De Young. Thanks! :)

5/17/2013

Beautiful building and we have enjoyed many special exhibitions in the past several years.  We just recently upgraded our membership to the North American Reciprocal and it is well worth it.

The most recent visit was "The Girl With the Pearl Ear Ring"  Membership also includes the Palace of the Legion of Honor.

Go out and get your some culture already!

3/10/2013

A small group from Japan went to the Legion of Honor first, then here, on March 3. They are not able to understand quickly spoken English, but the people at the entrance to the Legion of Honor was very kind and considerate, and spoke slowly.

Not so at the DeYoung: the guard-lady at the rotating doors asked to look into the packs, and when these young girls were slow in responding, she started yelling at them. Sheesh, another great example of American hospitality.

10/25/2011

This museum has had many beautiful, special limited-time exhibitions that I could not wait to see.

I went here when they had the Chihuly glass exhibit and I must say . . AMAZING!! Love every minute of it and it was totally worth the price of admission. A ceiling exactly like the one in the Bellagio in LV and a huge garden of glass sculptures that looked like plants. So beautiful.

The latest exhibition I went to was the Impressionist exhibit from the Musee D'Orsay, my favorite Museum in France. I remember going there back in high school and just loving all the work on the walls of that old train station. That's probably why I love the Impressionist period so much. All the paintings were displayed in such a great, rustic way. No in a stuffy museum, but open train station. When I heard the artwork was coming to a museum near me, I bought tickets right away. Couldn't and wouldn't miss it.

In terms of the actual museum itself, the other artwork is pretty typical. I don't remember very much from the other exhibits except for the huge crystal and the fruits statue.

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3/30/2013

When you're in one of the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, and you are looking at a painting by a Famous Dead White Man (or the occasional woman), and it's not by a local, I am always left wondering:  "Is this a notable example of ________, or is it just a copy some long dead socialite got on the Grand Tour and dumped on the museums for the publicity?"   I get enough nods from people who seem to know that the suspicion won't go away.

I'm over the ugliness of the Box.  Face it, while the Old museum was once based on a grand 1915 PPIE structure, once shorn of all its ornament it was just as ugly as this one, and the interior was dowdy to boot.   I'm not sold on the ugly flooring, which looks like pavers, or the built in bench seating that seems more appropriate to a waiting area in Knotts Berry Farm,  but the tower view is still as impressive as ever, and still free, and now that the buzz has long since fallen away, you can tour the museum's collections without having to fight your way to the wall and back out again.  

But oh those special exhibits.   What crowds.  Can't the museum find a way to handle them?  Why am I paying extra to feel like I'm on a subway at rush hour?  How is that conducive to the experience of Art?

It is nice to see that the Music Concourse, following the completion of both museums, is now back to a glory it knew only in decades past.   All three fountains are working; and only the grass around the Francis Scott Key memorial looks worn.  This part of the park at least is the only part that looks like a park in a wealthy city like San Francisco, and not some broke rust belt burg out east.   I didn't see any turtles in the fountain though---were they nesting below water?  Or have they been removed.

This isn't one of my favorite institutions in San Francisco, but don't let that keep you away.  The tower is certainly a place to take out of towners.  And the conservatory of flowers, recently restored, is aging nicely inside, a bit of rust here, corrosion there, and looking pleasantly dated.  Real.

3/25/2012

Just saw the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit....soooo gorgeous!!!! (check out pics)

One star down because parking was a nightmare. The parking garage was closed because it was "full". We ended up finding parking off of 10th...a little bit of a walk but not too bad.

Pros:
-Interesting art
-Observation Deck offers a beautiful view of the City...made me love SF even more! And I didn't even know that was possible=)
-Cafe was nice, friendly service, clean and offered a decent selection of food. We didn't actually eat there..we only had drinks. But the food looked pretty good...overpriced of course.

If you love fashion definitely check out the Gaultier Exhibit, it's there until Aug. You won't be disappointed!

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  Somewhere over the rainbow...

  Somewhere over the rainbow...
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  Jean Paul Gaultier

  Jean Paul Gaultier

2/11/2014

THE de YOUNG CAFE:

Just want to say that the manager, Mark (I think that's his name), at the cafe and the food, itself, are really great. I had "green" gazpacho recently and it was so good I had to ask him what was in it.  Wow. My compliments to him and to the chef. It's a great place to just relax as well, so you must give it a visit.

1/18/2014

World class place. Clean fast moving layout even when it's busy. Went on a Saturday and was able to get around find in the David Hockney exhibit.

9/30/2012

This is the place to go if you're feeling the need to be a little more "cultured". A great date place and a little out of the norm, at least for me.

This museum really covers a variety of different art from many cultures. The most memorable ones were the African art pieces ie the masks and the scenic paintings of rainbows. (As you can tell I am not a regular art lover but hey, I can appreciate my share of art) The views were really nice, looking over Golden gate park and the restaurant/cafe they have downstairs. We love to people watch and I Found myself watching this family with these kids for a good 15 minutes while their youngest son climbed a tree but no one noticed except a security guard that seemed to not know what to do until he finally just picked him off the tree.... Anyways....

what we were really here for was the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit and OMG, I am so so glad that my bf and dropped in to see if any tickets were left (which we were in luck because it was the LAST day) The dresses were BEAUTIFUL. I tried to take pictures to show my sisters who also love fashion but the pictures just couldnt capture the details of the outfits. Interestingly they also projected faces that would blink and move and sometimes even speak or sing!

1/12/2014

Great tourist area and has a nice view of the city from the de Young tower (it's free!)

2/8/2013

Today I was in the Music Concourse in G.G. Park and I was reminded yet again how ugly and horrible the de Young is. The entire building is of peculiar awfulness, but it is the tower that it is the true abomination. It is completely out of place in its surroundings; when catching a glimpse of it while walking in the Richmond, I feel insulted and depressed.

What I hate more than anything else is reading reviews in the NY Times, etc. telling me how glorious the building is. I know it's as arrogant of me to deny the joy it may offer as it is for the cognoscenti to dictate an aesthetic knowing full well the average person will find it perverse. But make no mistake: it IS perverse. The de Young demands that people deny their visceral reaction, their natural sense of what is beautiful and pleasurable, and instead reach for a conclusion that is condescending and elitist.

7/15/2013

A really excellent museum and the pricing is outrageously cheap if you have a student ID + muni receipt/ticket.

The exhibitions are fantastic to look at and the place is just, in general, awesome to wander around. You can take as long as you want to stare at a piece and there is a lot of space so you don't have to squish with others to see an exhibit.

One piece of art that sticks with me was the one made of bullets and had a spine inside. Superrrr cool :)

Of course you can just zoom through all the exhibitions and be done with it in less than 30 minutes, but then you can't take in the beauty of the pieces! Come alone or with friends, this place is definitely worth a visit.

12/26/2013

I went here for my birthday  a year ago and fell in love with the art . My best friend and i would be back soon.. we couldn't finish it all cause it was  closing and we went on a free day . a must see in San francisco.

9/2/2012

My bf brought me here about two hours before closing time, which was enough to stroll around and see everything since the museum is bit small small. The most amazing part of the museum is definitely the view from the tower. You get a 360 view of the city through the floor to ceiling windows, and there was no line for the elevator when we went.

The exhibits themselves were not too interesting. There was a lot of folk art carvings and sculptures. We wanted a map and walked through several rooms looking for staff, but it looked like there was no one working that day or something. I really like modern art and found the modern art wing, but the exhibits in the wing were all photography and weren't too interesting.

We unfortunately didn't see the special Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit since we were running low on time.

5/11/2011 Updated review

This review is for the Balenciaga exhibit.  First, if you go the first Saturday of the month and you are a Bank of America cardholder, the price of the exhibit and admission to the museum is only $15 ($25 regular price with $10 Bank of America discount).  So do not buy your ticket online ($21) thinking it will be cheaper!  The BOFA discount gets you $10 off and admission to everything.  

We accidentally went to the Olmec exhibit first (downstairs where King Tut was).  It was ok.  Then we saw what we came for on the upper level.  AMAZING!  They had so many pieces.  The funny thing was that the items were commissioned and donated by the wearer of the item so the dresses and outfits were different sizes and not a standard size as you imagine on a runway.  One of the dresses was too big to put on a mannequin (they left the wearer of that dress unnamed).  They had the good stuff in the back (bolero jackets, flamenco skirts, matador hats and sequins, wedding gowns, and Balenciaga's versions of the little black dress).  They had two-piece skirt suits, ball gowns with elaborate sequins and draping.  I wished I could touch the pieces!  That was the only element that was missing that wouldn't be possible anyway =(  I love touching fabric.

They tried to showcase 360 the pieces by putting some of them in glass boxes but a lot of the pieces were on a static display so you could not appreciate the back and look at the layering up close to figure everything out.  

We should've waited until Picasso to see this exhibit, but I couldn't wait!  I highly recommend it.  Now I have Balenciaga exhibit postcards to add to my collection of Chanel exhibit postcards from the MET.  =)  They were only $1 each.

Parking is a pain.  If you can't find street parking and there are spaces left in the garage, it will cost you $12 (we stayed 2-3 hours).

4/11/2013

Went on a Saturday and it was busy. Great art. I am not a modern art fan but they have a mixture of art. The girl with the pearl earring was spectacular.

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  View from the observatory

  View from the observatory