Ingalill and I took a long-awaited visit to The Broad Museum downtown, neither of us having been there since before pandemic times. There were a few of my favorites missing, a few cool new things, a room full of Basquiat, and lucky dog us, it was the last day for a huge exhibit of LA artists, all the work belonging to Broad’s permanent collection. The title of the show “Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog)” refers to Baldessari’s piece shown below: Buildings=Guns=People: Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog) (1985). I’m not sure about choosing the apple here, maybe referring to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
We got there just a little after opening and although all the tickets for the Infinity Room were gone when we made our reservations, the line was short and the attendant let us go in anyway, always a treat. It’s been on exhibit for more than 6 years and still every ticket is taken weeks in advance. (Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013).)
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We Cannot Resist the Shinny Things
An oldie but goodie, touching nothing.
Here’s the entrance to the LA show and a few other pictures too.
Time to go get some lunch but first Lill, patiently waiting for the moment..
At Le Petite Paris, and it was ooo la la delightful.
Disneyland opened in July 1955 and I was THERE! Cousin Susan sent me these pictures sent to her by “Anna Wilson, Aunt May’s youngest daughter, who has all of Aunt Gert and Uncle Bill’s old photos.” I have seen a couple of these pictures before and they represent my only memory of the occasion. I did retain the certain knowledge that I had been to Disneyland right when it opened.
In The Beginning there were five Lands, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street USA and there were 18-20 attractions (depending on the source).
Here come the pictures, thanks to Uncle Bill! I’m going to ask Kelly, Disney employee of 20+ years, to help me identify what’s what – I’ve numbered them for her convenience to tell me a sensible order.
12345678910 (I took out 11 as it was a duplicate)12131415161718192021222324
I found this on the internet asking what were the rides when Disneyland opened. Many sites have done a cut and paste on this list…
Main Street, USA
Horse-drawn Street Cars
Horse-drawn Fire Wagon
Horse-drawn Surreys
Main Street Arcade
Main Street Cinema
Main Street Shooting Gallery
Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad
Fantasyland
Canal Boats of the World
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Dumbo Flying Elephants
King Arthur Carrousel
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Mickey Mouse Club Theater
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Peter Pan
Snow White’s Adventures
Tomorrowland
Autopia (numerous enhancements over the years)
Circarama U.S.A.
Dutch Boy Paint Color Gallery
Kaiser’s Hall of Aluminum Fame
Monsanto Hall of Chemistry
Rocket to the Moon
Space Station X-1
Thimble Drome Flight Circle
Tomorrowland Boats
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
The World Beneath Us
Frontierland
Conestoga Wagons
Davy Crockett Museum
Golden Horseshoe Revue
Indian Village
Mark Twain Riverboat
Mike Fink Keelboats
Pack Mules
Stagecoach Ride
Adventureland
Jungle Cruise
Here’s another guy’s list that was very specific, he’s right, the other lists are wrong. I haven’t tried to match up the lists yet.
Horse Drawn Fire Wagon This now permanently sits in the firehouse, no longer operational.
Horse Drawn Surrey
Horse Drawn Trolley Of the original Main Street Vehicles, this is the only one still in operation today.
Disneyland Railroad On opening day, there were 2 stations. Frontierland and Main Street. Each station had it’s own train and only the one station stop so you went on a full circle each time (I.e. if you boarded at Frontierland, the train didn’t stop until you reached Frontierland again).
Autopia This ride is relatively unchanged from 1955. The vehicles have been updated, it’s been fenced in, the guidelines were installed and the ride updated to feature the sponsor.
Rocket to the Moon Star Tours now sits wherethis ride was
Phantom Boats This ride was replaced with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and is now Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Canal Boats of the World This ride changed its name quickly and the locations were redone to show Disney’s animated movie locations. It became Storybook Canal Boats.
King Arthur’s Carousel
Mad Tea Party Originally this ride was roughly where Dumbo is now.
Mr Toad’s Wild Ride
Peter Pan’s Flight
Snow White and Her Adventures
Casey Jr’s Circus Train Many will say this ride didn’t open until July 31st, 1955 but it was actually open on Opening Day. It just closed the very next day for safety reasons and didn’t reopen until the 31st.
Jungle Cruise Riders of the current ride would not recognize the opening day attraction in many ways. It was a much more serious, “educational” ride. The jokes and puns weren’t added until the 60s, same as the now iconic Elephant bathing pool, and other comedic elements. It was originally longer than it currently is as the ride has been shortened and rerouted twice. First for Indiana Jones and then again for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
Mule Pack You could ride an actual mule around a frontier area on opening day. The town of Rainbow Ridge and a mine train ride was added on later, known as Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules and then as Pack Mules through Nature’s Wonderland. This ride and the mine train were located where Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is today. You can still see some of the mine train tracks by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad if you pay attention.
Stage Coach & Conestoga Wagons This ride traveled in the same area as the Mule Pack and the soon to arrive mine train. The difference between the wagons, the train, and the mules is exactly where they went in the large frontier & living desert areas. So you got a unique view depending on which mode of transportation you picked.
Here comes an insane number of pictures. Lill was SO kind and never made me feel rushed despite my “Squirrel!” at every turn. And she drove. And she walked the extra mile in the parking lot to get the car and pick me up when we were done. What a friend!
You can still go, it’s running for a few more weekends but I have advice. Surprised?! According to a security guy I visited with for a while, don’t go on Saturday, the crowds are worse. You should get there early on Sunday, like 9:30 and it opens at 10. Then you have 2-3 good hours before the crowds and the heat will crush you.
Purists must be going nuts since the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is now frequented by Vikings, Steam Punks, Superheros, Romans in togas, Pirates, and of course the ever-present Trekkies. At the gate waiting for opening, we had some entertainment from the Queen of the May.A flying pig! And if you pull the chain the wings flap. I got the guy’s card just in case, later, I find I need this.Not one person who I asked, ‘may I take your picture!?’ did not immediately strike a pose.Reflect-o with a Renaissance unicorn.There was so much entertainment around the very very large venue. Music, plays, magic, fun around every corner.We had a lot of entertainers scattered around the trees to enjoy too.
Yup, ask and they’ll strike a pose. Cute Lill!This clothier had quite a setup. Lovin’ the mirrors.
These guys were working on the staff meal.Let’s Play!The Renaissance must have been a time traveler’s dream destination.More tree-side entertainment.Sooo many shops. I know, the watch.Again, more problems for the purists. This ride I think qualifies as era-appropriate and there were others, but there were also rides and games that relied on materials that were not era-appropriate, but it seemed they were making plenty of money anyway.The crafts tent. We didn’t go in.When we first got to the food court around 11:15 there were practically no lines anywhere and seats in the shade were available. It was amazing and wonderful.More.Turkey legs of course, required! It was still so pleasant. One hour later and forget it, everywhere you see here was packed.You have something you’d like to wear to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire? Wear it!Flirting, OK!Nice! ‘Till next time!!
Here at the Getty Center with Ingalill to spend a couple hours kicking around the grounds.
We caught our required reflect-o early this day.
Here come three pictures of a rare explosion of color on the campus outside the formal garden.
The Featured Exhibition, on until May 8, is Poussin and the Dance, that includes a few rooms of large scale paintings and then some videos of modern dancers taking inspiration from Poussin’s work.
(I used the railing to support the camera and it’s the railing that’s not centered. I pondered long and hard, back and forth, does it feel just ‘off’?)
Alex and Carol’s friend Anita was visiting from the Gulf Coast and a nice outing to the Getty Villa was just the thing to conclude their time together. And oh what a gorgeous day it was.
We had the 10am entry on a Thursday and check it out, it was OURS for the first half-hour at least.
I know, a treat indeed.
This floor, I must have a picture from every visit.
They were running a huge Rubens exhibition called “Picturing Antiquity” and that was a treat too! (Villa website)
Nancy and I enjoyed a quick visit to the Huntington. The day was beautiful in that it was cool and almost empty. We ate a very good lunch at the new Chinese restaurant and otherwise we didn’t get far, just a stroll through the Chinese and Japanese gardens.
At The Getty Center! Here’s one of the untold number of iconic images.
I went with Nancy specifically to see a very interesting Holbein show and to have a look at a new acquisition, Artemisia Gentileschi’s Lucretia (ca. 1627), the Lucretia story reminding me very much of the Titians I saw in Boston, women subjected to sexual violence.
We ate lunch at the posh restaurant……admired the always captivating shapes……and of course Hurray for Hip Girl and Frog Boy on a warm hazy day in November!
Me taking the picture, Lucas and Helena distracted by something wonderful. In the picture: Xander, Anya, Betsy, Nancy, Windy, Lona, at the Getty among the Dutch Masters. We all had a wonderful time!
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The Downtown Skyline from the Getty Center on a very bad day for a view. The arrows are pointing to the once Occidental Center Tower that opened in 1965 and has been known for decades as “The Loneliest Skyscraper in Los Angeles”.
Oh Getty Center, I have missed you! Lynn came with me and we had a delightful few hours enjoying all the outdoor sculpture gardens. Calder’s Jousters were gone, off for cleaning we heard. Otherwise, all is well and the landscaping was in great shape.
Photo Flux Unshuttering LA
Mario Giacomelli: Figure/Ground This guy was awesome, I’d never heard of him so what a happy discovery.
Nestled in the hills of Malibu overlooking the blue Pacific, an environment much like that of the original villa. .
Oh my goodness it’s like they opened the museum just for us and maybe 10 other people. It was Glorious! Look above, you can see from the entry plaza all the way, ALL the way through to the tiled fountain.
Through the inner peristyle…to the mosaic fountain below.
Spanish ocher-yellow marble staircase.A little baby Bacchus…Roman Glass
“A seated man is flanked by Sirens, creatures part bird and part woman, in this nearly life-size terracotta group. In Greek mythology, the singing of the Sirens lured sailors to their deaths, and so these mythical figures are often connected with the deceased. The seated man is also a singer, as shown by his open mouth and the pick (plektron) with which he plays his now-missing lyre, once cradled in his left arm. His precise identity, however, is uncertain. He might be Orpheus, who was famous for his singing and who helped Jason and his crew safely sail past the Sirens. But in art of the fourth century BC, Orpheus is usually shown wearing an elaborately embroidered costume that is not seen here. Therefore, the seated figure may be a mortal in the guise of a poet or singer. The precise meaning of the group has been the subject of extensive speculation, but perhaps the singer should be seen as prevailing over the Sirens and triumphing over death.
“It is likely that the group was made for a tomb. Originally brightly painted, it is an exceptional example of the terracotta sculpture characteristic of the Greek colonies in South Italy. Although terracotta sculpture is also found in mainland Greece, artists in the Greek colonies in South Italy used this medium with greater frequency and on a larger scale because there were few sources of good stone suitable for sculpting.”
Statue of Hercules (Lansdowne Herakles), AD 125. They have the room and it’s wonderful floor blocked off to guests, you can only peek in through the door.
from the Getty website:
“The Greek hero Herakles carries a club over his left shoulder and holds a lionskin in his right hand. These objects help identify the figure, since Herakles was often depicted with a club and the skin of the Nemean Lion, which he killed as his first labor. As is typical for depictions of Greek heroes, the young Herakles is shown nude, since the Greeks considered male nudity to be the highest form of beauty. No other god or hero is as frequently depicted in Greek and Roman art as is Herakles.
“The Lansdowne Herakles very likely was inspired by a lost Greek statue, probably from the school of Polykleitos from the 300s B.C. Found in 1790 near the ruins of the villa of the Roman emperor Hadrian at Tivoli outside Rome, this statue was one of numerous copies of Greek sculpture commissioned by Hadrian, who loved Greek culture. One of J. Paul Getty’s most prized acquisitions, the statue gets its name from Lord Lansdowne, who once owned the Herakles and displayed it in his home in London. Areas of restoration include the statue’s lower left leg and parts of both arms.”
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“Protective Spirits, Assyrian, 645–640 BC, Nineveh, North Palace, reign of Ashurbanipal, gypsum. British Museum, London, 1856,0909.27, 1856.” from the Assyria: Palace Art of Ancient Iraq exhibit.
They would put these images at the front door to ward off evil. Looks pretty effective.
Close-up of the figure in the pool below.The Herb Garden undergoing reconstruction.
Thanks Rick for the picture and here’s to Next Time!
Welcome, from the Desert Garden in the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California.
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From the entrance strolling our way to the Chinese Garden, and then, BAM, CALDER, “Jerusalem Stabile” 1976
Jim’s picture. I love this picture! Jim, Lill, me, Rick
I googled around a little and can’t find why Mercury is standing, tippy-toe, on some guy’s mouth.
Here come several views around the Chinese Garden. I don’t know the percentage of normal tickets they are selling now but it is AWESOME that there are the perfect number of people. We were not once in any situation where Other people felt too close. Only the gardens are open but it’s always been that you run out of time and energy before you run out of things to see in the gardens.
(This one has the correct color profile. The problem is most apparent with people.)
From the Huntington website: “Liu Fang Yuan is inspired by the gardens of Suzhou, a city located near Shanghai in southeastern China. During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), wealthy scholars and merchants there built tasteful private gardens combining architecture, waterworks, rockeries, plants, and calligraphy…
…Many of the features in Liu Fang Yuan are modeled on specific Suzhou gardens, eight of which are depicted in the woodcarvings in the Love for the Lotus Pavilion (Ai Lian Xie 愛蓮榭).”
(Will I have the energy to fix them all?)
Into the Japanese Garden, from the Huntington website: “the Zen Court provides an example of the contained landscapes that once evolved in the temple gardens of Japan. Patterns raked into gravel, rock formations and shrubbery are used to symbolize water, space, movement and other abstract ideas.”
Oh golly this was fun! One of the guards in the Japanese Garden had trained these birds to come to his palm for a peanut treat. Ohhhh may I do that? Yesss you may. Having a bird land on your hand is magic. And FAST. He is there and gone in the blink of an eye, far faster than any one of us could get off a shot.
The iconic moon bridge in the Japanese Garden. In spring blooms will shower the garden with color and delights.
Who could resist these guys? Certainly not me.
Rick’s picture in the Desert Garden. William Hertrich began collecting for this garden in 1907. Wow, I really thought I remembered when there wasn’t the Desert Garden. Another thing about which I was wrongadidewrongwrong…
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The lily ponds are in fine reflecto mode but rather scarce on the lilies. From here we made fond farewells and Lill drove me home (thank you Lill!). As well as the few number of people, the dining option was very good too. There were ready-made sandwiches and salads to pick up and the outdoor tables were so safely laid out, we all felt very comfortable.
..my favorites, Walking Flower Fernand Léger (French, 1881-1955) , and The Jousters Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), telephoto from the same spot as the picture above.
Wait though, Hip Girl and Frog Boy are my favorites. And That Profile, also my favorite. And the Rebar Trees…
Built in 1939, it’s a beautiful building and in very good shape these days.
From wiki: ‘Approved in a controversial ballot measure in 1926 and built in the 1930s, it served to consolidate rail services from the Union Pacific, Santa Fe, and Southern Pacific Railroads into one terminal station. Conceived on a grand scale, Union Station became known as the “Last of the Great Railway Stations” built in the United States. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.’
The wiki article goes into interesting length about the racial and economic factors in play in 1926.
I went out with Marsha today – we saw “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, the new Frances McDormand movie that I thought was very good.
Then we had a lot of food at Kendall’s (like anyone needs food the day after Thanksgiving) and then, YAY, Disney Hall to hear the LA Philharmonic play the marvelous soundtrack to West Side Story while they showed the movie on a big screen behind the orchestra. It was AWEsome and I didn’t cry until the end. Usually when watching West Side Story I cry at the overture.
Too bad we didn’t have enough time to visit the grounds of the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden but it’s always good to have something for next time.
Bonnie and I are off for an overnighter on Catalina Island, 26 miles across the sea, passing by the Queen Mary and the Spruce Goose, tourist mainstays of…
From wiki: “In 1927, William Wrigley, Jr. built a tile and brick pottery on a beach located near Avalon, Santa Catalina Island. The new pottery became Catalina Clay Products, a division of Wrigley’s Santa Catalina Island Company. The pottery used local clays from the Island. This business venture had two purposes: to produce clay building products and to provide the much needed year-round employment for Island residents.”
There was a Pacific Standard Time LA/LA exhibit at the main library (Latin American and Latino Art in LA) and it was wonderful. It wasn’t supposed to be available for a few more days but lucky us, here it is!
Check out the pacificstandardtime.org website because there are exhibts Everywhere.
“The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) will present Visualizing Language: Oaxaca in L.A., an exhibition and associated public programs celebrating the Zapotec language as a key lifeline sustaining shared cultural experience in Mexico, Los Angeles, and beyond. Zapotec is the most widely spoken indigenous language in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca, and Los Angeles is home to the largest population of indigenous Oaxacans outside of Mexico. Visualizing Language: Oaxaca in L.A. will recognize the importance of the Oaxacan presence in Southern California and explore contemporary realities of indigenous culture.
“The project will include an installation in the Los Angeles Central Library’s Rotunda by Oaxacan artist collective Tlacolulokos, a short documentary by Oaxacan filmmaker Yolanda Cruz, and a series of 60 public programs across Los Angeles with visual artists, scholars, poets and writers. Programs, many of which will be multi-lingual, will be presented as part of LFLA’s acclaimed ALOUD literary and performance series and as community workshops in select locations of the Los Angeles Public Library.”
We went to the Getty for my birthday as this was our first chance since June. We only did what I wanted to do so we went on a couple of tours and ate Twice.
The sculpture is called Angel of the Citadel by Marino Marini 1948-9. There is more to him than you can see here as well as, well, more. You can ask google to tell you all about it.
