de Young

3/18/2013

I genuinely love this museum and the exhibits that come through here. I have membership here and it's well worth it if you are into art. With membership, You can bring a friend for free and get into The Legion of Honor as well. I've come here in the past for the Cartier, Picasso, King Tut, and Jean Paul Gaultier exhibits, to name a few. Most recently I came here for Vermeer's Girl With The Pearl Earring. This exhibit is not to be missed!!! All of the exhibits are beautifully done with careful labeling of what's on display. There are audio guides too for an enhanced experience. I always check out the schedule to see what exhibits are coming up at this museum. There's always something interesting!

5/6/2012

I love coming to the De Young museum. If the parking lot underneath is full, parking can be a bit of a bear since you have to find street parking. But the walk through Golden Gate Park is nice and especially out the parking lot through the middle park area where lots of elders are doing Tai Chi.

My latest two visits to the De Young were to see the Yves Saint Laurent and the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit. I have to admit, both were spectacular! I think between the two I liked the JPG exhibit much better as he has such an eclectic pizazz to him that there was just so many memorable things to see. The space was well used, the layout of the exhibit was easy to follow, and they even made mannequins toward the end spin around in a catwalk, much like you were in a fashion show, that made it all the more cool.

They have certain 'free entrance' days (check their website). When we went to see the JPG exhibit on the weekend, Bank of America cardholders were able to get in free for that Saturday and Sunday. So that's always a nice perk!

The De Young has a very attentive staff that will help with anything you need and the grounds are kept very clean. Museum fan or not, the De Young is a spectacular place not to be missed.

3/29/2012

Awesome De Young Spot #1: The Observation Tower. Yes, you can get amazing views from peaks all over the city, but sometimes it's nice to be protected from the cold and wind by large windows.

Awesome De Young Spot #2: The sunken dome in the back garden past the museum cafe created by James Turrell. Sit inside, look up at the ceiling, and see how the view sky changes as lighting changes.

Awesome De Young Spot #3: The crack in the ground that artfully runs through the entire museum. Yes, the museum built in a crack in the ground.

FYI Entrance for non-members is $10 per adult, but you can get $2 off by showing your BART/MUNI/Clipper Card.

3/9/2013

I've ventured this museum many times in the past two years, and I don't really have a strong desire to visit on a consistent basis. The only reason(s) I visit are that of accompanying friend(s) and to visit a special exhibit such as the exhibit I visited today - "The Girl With A Pearl Earring".

The Girl With A Pearl Earring is regarded as the "Dutch Mona Lisa" and is a popular work of art in Europe. This piece of art is alluring - the girl is simple, beautiful, and her eyes speaks of questions, but paired with the giant pearl earring, it adds a sense of worth that she perhaps came from a wealthy family. I caught myself looking at the portrait from every angle, and it is simply beautiful. If you haven't seen The Girl With A Pearl Earring, you'll have to!

This museum is very modern, maybe too modern for my taste. With art, I like beautiful and elegant spaces. I think the de Young isn't an elegant museum. However, it is a museum that one will find many tourists.

Overall, nice museum, but not a museum for repeat visits.

3/25/2012

I went to go see the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit (Mar. 24- Aug. 19, 2012) and it was amazing. It's really nice to be able to see the details of the garments up close.

For this exhibit they allow photos, but no flash.

2 hours for parking inside the museum ended up being $8. The parking rate is a bit too high, so you're better off  finding street parking (free 4 hr. parking).

2/25/2014

Car broken into today and contents stolen from trunk ruined a day at the De Young after viewing the Georgia O Keefe exhibit. Passers by said it happens all the time- in fact 3-4 other cars nearby had windows smashed like ours. The police don't even come out anymore since it's so routine. Park security never came and are non existent. Beware parking near any high dense  shrubbery along the park roads. Obviously someone is watching as you leave your vehicle.

10/16/2012 Updated review

Review specifically for Hamon Tower - private event

I worked with Shannon Murphy in planning my sisters' memorial in Hamon Tower at the De Young Museum.  Everything turned out perfect, just like my little sis. cp327.yelp.com .  

The staff at the De Young are professional and caring. Shannon connected me with Thomas from McCalls catering, Rich from A/V and Erin was my point of contact on the day of the memorial, their efforts made for an unforgettable evening. They worked with my budget, stayed in constant contact with me and responded to all my requests with respect and kindness.  Everyone in attendance said it was beautiful: location, food, decorations and service.

You can host private events in the Tower after the museum closes. Check out their website for details and ask for Shannon. She's super helpful and will ensure your event is flawless.

Love you sister, forever and always...

2/20/2013

There is so much things to see here, you definitely will need at least 2 visits to completely go through this whole place and really take in all the exhibitions. I love the cleanliness of this museum, and it is greatly organized. The structure is very unique, and Friday nightlife is also a great destination with discounted price!

Certain exhibitions here change a few times a year, mostly in the 1st floor area. All the ones on the top floors pretty much stays in the same place all year long. If I live in the SF area, I would definitely get a yearlong pass so I can come back here several times a year and see the unique world renowned exhibitions.

There is a massive amount of information to pay attention to and learn here, and if you just want some peace and quiet time this is also a great place to visit during the week. Parking is horrible or expensive, so be prepared to drive around looking for free parking for a while. Otherwise you can pay for the underground parking lot if you give up looking for parking, but be warned that it is really expensive!

There are also free days each month, so search up and plan before going here, you'll save a lot of money.

1/20/2011

The de Young, opened again since 2005, is a breathtaking and sweeping beauty of a house for the precious and inviting art that it houses.  O the vastness of art---making political statements, , amorous ones, rebellious and counter-culture cries, capturing moments in history...it's all in there, folks.

Came the other day for the last few trickle of days of the Impressionism D'Orsay exhibit and didn't mind waiting 4 hours until a slot opened up for a ticket. In the meantime, I gloried in their permanent collection, as well as the sun from the nice outdoor cafe portion (there is also an indoor portion, serving a full course meal).

The view down into the rock courtyard as well as down into the first floor area from the wide expansive staircase that opens up into the Art of Africa and New Guinea gives one moment for pause, and "would fain give contentment and succor from the worries of the hour" (I'm feeling a bit classical from all the historic art!)

Downstairs houses all of the contemporary and large pieces, tapestries, sculptures, etc...I loved the Gothic cathedral made out of "guns, bullets, and steel" (it was 2/3 of a Jared Diamond title)....

I'm so happy when I'm here....will think about joining as a member, though I'm an East Bay rezzie.

And the exhibit itself..... OH! I so enjoyed learning about pointillism, synthetism, Gaugin's Point Aven and the successive rebelling Nabis' art, as well as seeing firsthand Van Gogh's poignant work...those brushstrokes mesmerize me!!!!!

I was, however, on brain strain turbo afterwards----there was so much sensory overload and learning during those hours....love it, forevermore!

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• See all photos from Jana C. for de Young

4/19/2013

What I like most about this museum is its location.  The museum park is beautiful and relaxing, and the perfect setting for a day with friends or a fun date.  We came to check out the museum simply because we had never been here.  Tickets are cheap (unless you're seeing a special exhibit), so a visit is a must.  They have a variety of art from all different time periods; I especially enjoyed the modern art display and many of the sculptures.

The museum itself is rather small, and easily seen in its entirety within a few hours.  The cafe is mediocre, but sitting outside in the sculpture garden could be enjoyable on a nice day.  I had a good time, but there wasn't really much here that would warrant a second visit save for a special rotating exhibit.  They have a special observation tower with a citywide view, which is supposed to be cool, but it was closed when I visited.

3/17/2011 Updated review

Third time's the charm.  Yep, it's my third year attending the Bouquets to Art flower show and it's a must if you love flowers and seeing how whimsical and exquisitely executed floral artists from the Bay Area view create temporary floral art.  This year, members just needed to show up with their member card & photo id.  No pesky tickets to reserve and fight over.

Some friendly suggested tips:  
Go early, as in earlier in the week. I noticed some flowers (mainly roses) starting to droop.  
Go early, as in the am, when they open. Go with a small group of people, say up to 4 total.  An entourage of 10 is a problem with crowds.

Please leave your strollers at home (or in the car) or risk the wrath of running into fellow attendees.  

Bring a camera.  Learn how to turn off the flash before starting.
Be patient and gracious when taking photos as there will be passersby and admirers unaware of the plethora of cameras flashing as though the flowers were celebrities.
Smile and listen to what others are saying.  You might see or interpret the art in a new way.

Please don't touch the flowers!

Take your time.  There should be no rush in what you're admiring.

11/12/2013

I love visiting the DeYoung - there are both things to do there for free and admission. I do currently have a student membership, which I recommend to all people still in school, because you can't beat the discount.

I find it odd that some people I hate the design of the museum - I find it pleasing, and you don't notice it much from the street as the brush has grown to cover lots of it. See it from the westside as you come down the slope on JFK drive. It's beautiful. You also cannot beat the 360 view from the observation tower on a clear day. It is free to go up the tower, so if you're only walking through, don't have much time, already went to the Academy of sciences, or can't afford the museum that day, you can still go up the tower. Just check what time it closes, they close the tower before the museum. There is also a small section of the ground floor gallery that is free. I do agree that the free areas can be confusing at times. I think it changes depending on the exhibits. Like, typically the rooms on the north side of the building are usually free, but right now, most of it is part of the David Hockney exhibit and no longer free.

I've seen quite a few exhibits that have left me floored - Chihuly, Picasso, Jean Paul Gaultier, and most recently, David Hockney. I'm not crazy about the indigenous pieces, but love the contemporary art downstairs and the fine art upstairs. My only gripe is that it's easy to get lost upstairs on the southside of the building. But the end of the building that overlooks the outdoor area has some nice benches that look outside. Nice spot for thinking, drawing, resting.

Just as a warning, everyone gets their bags checked upon entrance. You also may not want to bring a backpack in, since they're pretty picky about people wearing their backpacks on their *gasp* backs. They don't want you knocking things over accidentally when turning. Wear it slung on your side or leave it in the car. I can't speak for the parking as I typically walk or bike here - but the underground parking seems pricey. Park on JFK or Fulton and walk there, even if it's a little walk. I know some tourists scoff at the idea of not being able to park at where you're going, but it's SF, doesn't work that way here.

The people at the membership services were really nice and let me apply the price of the two tickets I had paid to see the Picasso exhibit (at the time) towards my membership! So I really only paid $10 more! With the museum pass I get myself and a guest free tickets each time I go! It pays for itself after about 4 visits. AND your membership also gives you free entrance to the Legion of Honor. Plus members get invited to see some exhibits before they open to the public, I was able to see the Man Ray exhibit at the LoH with a very small group! No bumping shoulders to see anything. It was awesome.

2/6/2013

The facade of the de young reminds one of a prison or a concentration camp. It is very industrial and uninspiring much like Some of the newer "special" exhibits in it. Inside it feels specious and well marked. I enjoyed the Egyptian collection and the African art. I also like the observation tower with its panoramic views of San Francisco. I think that most of the newer "special" exhibits I've seen lately are an embarrassment to this museum and to the world of art. For example a collection of cloths owned by some rich pretentious jerk is not my idea of a museum visit ( I can go to the local thrift store and see the same stuff in the old lady section). I guess the curator/s feels that he/she has to appeal to the bourgeois talentless artless crowed and so these type exhibits persist.  

Anyways there are great exhibits as well such as the recent King Tut collection which I enjoyed immensely.

If you want a feeling of a real museum go to the Palace Of Fine Arts.

8/22/2013

I love the de Young!  Their exhibits are wonderful, and the basic rooms (outside the special exhibits) are always changing.  The Friday nights are fun and FREE, as is the observation tower and the sculpture garden.  You need to visit the second story - there are a bunch of rooms up there, and most people miss it because the stairs look like they go up nothing.  I used to buy posters from every exhibit, but realized that I'd never have room to hang them all, so now I just get post cards (and the chocolate bars when they have them - yum!).  Parking is not a problem before 10:00 on weekdays.

10/16/2011

You can't yelp a museum to a song...or can you?  According to imdb, apparently Eye of the Tiger was in "Night at the Museum", so with apologies to Survivor, here we go:

When we go to the de Young
It's the thrill of the light
as it captures the essence of the color
And the folks who love art
they come in day or night
to the special exhibits, to make life fuller

I've been going to the de Young off and on since I was a kid and what a great place to go whether you are young or old.  The museum itself has a collection of interesting exhibits and then if you're lucky you can get tickets to see something truly special.  The Birth of Impressionism exhibit was amazing last year and I suppose a little surreal since the last time I had viewed those same paintings was after college standing in Paris (paintings were from the Musee d'Orsay).  And last week I went to the Picasso exhibit and got to marvel at his work progressively through his lifetime.  Really interesting to see his work live and arranged in the chronological order of his years, reflecting his changing moods (and lovers).

All and all I'm a fan of this museum.  It's a great place to take in an interesting exhibit, wander the halls of the larger museum, and maybe relax in the cafe with a glass of wine.

9/1/2013 Updated review

I must admit when I am soooo wrong.  Over the years this building has grown on me, It peers out from the treetops as if some ancient Mayan Temple.  One of the best FREE things to do in SF is to visit the tower, puts things in prospective whether the weather is clear or foggy.  Can't wait to go back this summer to see te Diebenkorn show.

1/2/2013

Love this museum.
Love the building itself- great architecture.
Galleries flow pretty well, and the permanent collection is really good. Almost always like the visiting shows too.
I am really happy to buy a membership every year ( bunch of perks come with, besides allowing you to bring friends.)
5 stars

5/1/2012

I came here with my Turkish class for the kilim exhibit-- and that part was ok, pretty minimal in its content and information.

The tower, though, was really quite cool, getting such an amazing view of San Francisco. Being from Chicago, it was evocative of (but very different from, in unique ways) the Sears Tower experience. And the location of the museum in Golden Gate Park makes the whole experience of going there so enjoyable!

I'd love to go back for more of the exhibits... especially the Gaultier fashion exhibit; I hear it's like a funhouse for adults!  Apparently they have evening viewings/events on Fridays... See you there?

2/24/2012

I'm not a huge fan of art museums, so I won't pretend to know squat about it.

Just a tip: if you're a student, bring your ID.  Also, keep your bus pass.  With my two discounts, I paid $4.  Nice cheap way to spend half a day.

9/29/2013

Bulgari, Bouquets to Art ,Cartier

12/4/2012

The de Young Museum is probably the reason why parents should stay away from "adult" museums like this place. With a toddler in tow, we visited this museum on a rainy Saturday morning. The street parking was plentiful and the short walk to the museum was pleasant with the arboretum and the Japanese Garden along the way. Once inside, we were told to go to lower level coat check to hand in our jackets and umbrella.  That was fine.  

After the elevator brought us back on the ground floor, there was this bench in front of the museum store right across the elevator.  There was not an artwork in sight for at least 800 feet. My son seated himself on this bench so I took some photos with flash.  Immediately this guy approaches us and says no flash.  My husband and I are the artsy fartsy kind of people-and we know the 4-1-1 of museum etiquette/policy, having been around all the major and some lesser museums around the world.  This was way ok though.

We spent about 1 hour at the de young museum and to make the long story short, (1) we were told that I had to carry the small backpack-purse I had IN MY HAND, not sling it on my back, all the time while at the museum. What kind of dictatorship is running this place? The backpack purse holds all of my wallet and cell phone, fer Pete's sake.
(2) we were warned sternly not touch anything by this security dude because my 3 year old son was pointing at one of the glass encased exhibits.
(3) my toddler got tired, as toddlers tend to do when they walk around a bit, and wanted to be carried.  My husband gave him a piggy back ride and once again, the security huffs over and tells the husband to put the tired kid back down on the floor.  At this my husband and I exchanged meaningful glances and left the crappy museum.

Of the exhibits themselves, sure, there are plenty of interesting articles.  Mediocre collections really, but hey, considering the newness of the place, the museum has to start somewhere. The architecture of the place is very airy and every angle of the structure from inside is art itself.  The exterior is, some would say, has all the charm of a rusted pike tin someone kicked around for a bit.   It's a shame about the attitude of the people who work there against families with young children.

7/25/2013

This place is great if you're into that museum/artsy stuff. This was my first time ever exploring a museum and I saw many great paintings, sculptures and artifacts. A lot of the artwork were portraits, landscapes, but I personally prefer more abstract art. But maybe I'm just not cultured enough to really enjoy and appreciate the experience. That's not to say that I won't visit other museums! For having visited on a random weekday, there was surprisingly a lot of foot traffic. I like the architecture and layout of the building.

9/9/2013

Not a super special museum. Building and park is very nice but the museum was ok. One of many museums we have in Europe.

1/10/2012

YAY for free museum Tuesdays! I came here on the first Tuesday of January for a couple hours. It was my first time there even though it only takes me 20 minutes to walk there from my apartment. I'm not a huge art buff, but I do enjoy going to museums every now and then.

There were some neat exhibits, but I didn't get to check out the Masteres of Venice Exhibit because I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that it cost extra?

We opted to check out the view from the observatory instead and it was totally worth it! The 360 degree view of SF was amazing, especially since it was a pretty clear day.

Check it out, especially when it's FREE!

5/18/2013

Nice mix of classic and modern art with lots of exhibitions coming through. Also a highlight is the tower with great views of the city. Truly a must see museum if you're in San Fran.

One thing, they have a drawing of Superman with his pants kinda darkly shaded, which I think shows their satiny texture and the depth of the figure. My friend thinks they are just black pants. I know right?

4/1/2012

I came here for their Jean-Paul Gaultier exhibit and it was so amazing!  We arrived a little before 9:30am and waited with a few other people outside.  Once in, the place was buzzing with the staff.  Wow, there are a lot of them!

We made a bee line for the exhibit and I have to say, getting there early totally paid off.  We practically had the place to ourselves and took pics, (without flash of course!), at our leisure without having to wait on other people.  By the time we were in the last room of the exhibit the rooms filled up.  

After we roamed around checking out the rest of the place.  Everyone was organized, and helpful answering our questions.  It was a very pleasant way to spend our Saturday morning.

3/30/2012

Came here on the weekend where it was free for all BofA card holders so I didn't really care what was the exhibit since it was free.

I don't really remember what we saw aside from Native American exhibits. The stuff that stood out to me was the turn of the century art pieces, pictures of 1960s SF, and the cathedral made of firearms parts. That was especially cool. I really don't know much about art but it's fun to diversify yourself here and there. Since this place is right across from CAS you can go there or walk around Golden Gate Park. It is a great area for simple outings and it's near a lot of food on Irving.

3/3/2013

the de young has some of the best special exhibitions that are worth trekking up to the city from the south bay for. and their permanent collection is impressive too. i can spend hours here.

most recently, i went to check out the exhibit Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis to see the famous painting, dubbed the Dutch Mona Lisa. It's a pretty painting and it was cool to get to see in person.

another really cool exhibit was the Jean Paul Gaultier one which had tons of dresses and costumes he's designed. it was like a super duper amazing fashion show. also amazing were chihuly's glass creations and ruth asawa's metal sculptures (there are some of her work that you can see in the room where you take the elevator up to the observation deck).

the observation deck is really cool - take the elevator to the top and get a view of the park and the city (hopefully it's not a foggy day!)

for bank of america customers, the first weekend of every month, general admission is free! you just need to show a B of A credit card or debit card with your ID. you still have to pay for any special exhibits, but you get a discount!

1/9/2014

Not friendly when you go with your kids. Too strict even when you don't do anything wrong.The guards think that they are doing the security of a bank. I don't know if I will go back there!

7/22/2013

I went to the museum and the cafe inside called," de young cafe". I am gluten free and allergic to shellfish. I sound so high maintenance and I am a chef myself. I don't raise a stink or expect much when I eat out at places I haven't looked at first. I asked a guy that worked there if he had gluten free bread. He said he would ask and I thought that would be the end. A woman that worked there named kris bennett came up to me with so much life and energy excited that they had just got this new gluten free rosemary roll in and she could make any substitution to making all the sandwiches to fit me. She wanted feed back about it and really was interested in the product and what I thought about it. It not only tasted great but it was presented beautifully.
I was so impressed how Kris took control and made the effort. I don't see that kind of professionalism every day. She is great at her job and it was a pleasure being in her environment.  
I will be back.

12/26/2011

I only came here to go up the tower (which is FREE!) to see the beautiful view. Definitely recommend this if you're around golden gate park and looking for some things to do :)

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  View from the observation deck

  View from the observation deck

10/27/2013

Was in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, on my plane ride over I read an article about the Bvlgary exhibition at the De Young Museum, and had to go see it, it was very informative and well executed, love the history and context of beautiful jewelry in our history and how it integrates with our lives.  Of note is the fact that most pieces are owned by Bvlgary private collection and a few owned by celebrities among them Elizabeth Taylor, well worth the price of admission.  The museum itself was beautiful inside and out, must see if you have the time and are looking for something to do of cultural significance away from the usual mindless shopping and mundane.

4/14/2010

I went to the Tutankhamen exhibit and honestly there were a lot of people and it was a bit rushed. I personally did not like the exhibit only because of the way I felt viewing some of the pieces displayed. I found myself through it much faster than those I came with (who I wound up getting instantly separated from lol) so I went up to the Arts of Africa exhibit and was totally enthralled by what I saw.

The time I had was short, too short for all that was there and I just took many photos (No flash people!) and did not really get the full on experience but I enjoyed it much more (and there were not many people in there either, which was nice!)  and do plan on making a return visit to really take it all in, not sure if it is still there now (I went in Feb) but if so, I would love to see it again.

Overall the exhibits I saw were worth the time, money etc. spent on going and I am sure they have great exhibits in general. The parking is not that costly and you can get cool stuff at their gift shop(s), I give it a 4.5 star rating but since I have to even it out, I will go with 5 stars, just for the whole experience.

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  Maternity Scene, 1100-1400. Unidentified Artist - Djenne, Inland Niger River

  Maternity Scene, 1100-1400. Unidentified Artist - Djenne, Inland Niger River

5/9/2012

I am a member and I live in the Outer Richmond, so parking is not an issue since sometimes I walk and sometimes I park in Fulton near 16th or 17th street where there are always spots available.
The Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit is interesting and shows how arts have influenced the designer point of view since his creations can be appreciated without having a fashion background.
I love the building and the observation tower and the cafeteria has some interesting wines.  Love drinking coffee in the statue garden wherein most of time its' pretty empty.

12/5/2009

Admission to the De Young Museum and its exhibits isn't free. If you're a student, bring your student ID for a discount. If you're a Bank of America customer, bring your ATM, check, or credit card to score free admission the first full weekend of every month. (De Young is part of BoA's "Museums on Us" program.)

The architecture at De Young is striking, including their observation tower. Be sure to stop up! Last I checked, there was no cost to access it. The tower offers a wonderful panoramic view of San Francisco, and a nifty wall map of much of the city as well.

I had no clue that the tower existed, and I'm thankful to my friend Edmund for taking us there! Next time I'm in Golden Gate Park, I'm visiting De Young.

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  View of the tower from the first floor (photographed by Dave Hong)

  View of the tower from the first floor (photographed by Dave Hong)
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  (photographed by Dave Hong)

  (photographed by Dave Hong)
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  (photographed by Dave Hong)

  (photographed by Dave Hong)
• See all photos from Dave H. for de Young

6/29/2014

Its alright but I really don't think its that great. I had not been here in years until recently for one of the nightlife events. The touring show was in transition and I had seen all the permanent collection before. There were tons of security guards. I recall one of them saying I could not chew gum in the main entry way where drinks were being served and a beach blanket babylon performer was singing. The performer was singing the same song for the second time that evening, once out of costume and the second time in costume. That was it. It was not a very good show. The $10 nightlife price seemed ok if you've never seen the permanent collection before. Otherwise regular pricing is considerably more. I was disappointed there was no main show featured at this time. The Georgia O'keefe show had just ended. My date and I went to the café during this visit as well. The food was overpriced and cafeteria style. It wasn't that good. The best thing about this museum in my opinion is the gift shop in the tower just because of the view and that is free.

11/11/2012

Sometimes, I admit, I get museum fatigue. I blame three years in DC. Every time an out of town friend comes, we suit up and head to the mall and take in the sights.  It means that a museum isn't a novelty anymore  and that I've become used to the uncontroversial curating at the Smithsonians.  Enter de Young. I was literally blown away - so much I hadn't seen before (don't miss the Eskimo and Inuit, or the contemporary gallery) with smart curating.  The observation tower, with its magnificent views, is just the cherry on the cake (and points for the cafe and its lovely seating area which, on a nice day, is absolutely perfect).

8/26/2013

Main Richard Diebenkorn show was engaging although I did fully engage with the work. Overall this Museum gives you the full service Art Museum Experience at fair price with and engaging collection of both Modern and Decorative Arts in a Fantastic structure. Plus for the location and the observation deck. SFMOMA may be closed for now but deYoung is not second choice it a first choice its owns wright.

7/10/2012

Thanks to my K-12 education in the SF Unified School District, I was exposed to a diverse group of artists via my school's semi-annual fieldtrips to museums like the de young...

...But we never experienced anything like the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit, 'From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.'

On display until Aug 19, 2012, I'm so glad BFF & I got off our arses in time to witness his genius (you have no idea how many events we miss due to our master procrastinator skills.)

Feast your eyes on: A simulated runway, rooms & rooms of Gaultier's finest pieces, corsets (made popular by Madonna), TVs playing past runway shows, mannequins sporting his sailor style (check out their real-life faces--both creepy & fascinating), & a timeline of his career. Tickets are $20.

I have fond childhood memories of running around the de young museum with my various classes, being more interested in playing tag or flirting with the fifth-grade heartbreaker than experiencing the exhibits. And while BFF & I are (still) known to behave like uninterested, immature elementary school miscreants in museums (ha! no chaperones to scold us!), the fashion of Jean Paul Gaultier was entertaining enough to keep us quiet & well-behaved...at least for a few hours.

1/21/2013

A very impressive collection of both classic and contemporary art. I was surprised by how large this place actually is on the inside. They had both two and three dimensional art pieces of the non-motion variety and spanned most of the world other than a noticeable gap in Asia (I suppose that's what the Asian Art Museum is for).

The observation tower has a great view with everything but the Golden Gate Bridge in clear view.

Outside is Golden Gate Park so you can chill out and people watch if you're tired of looking at stuff art.