The Los Angeles County Museum of Art's long-awaited addition, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, opens its doors on Saturday (after a high-style gala last weekend). Iconic works from Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Cindy Sherman are among the 160 pieces in the initial installation.
Designed by Renzo Piano (the architect behind Paris's avant-garde Pompidou Centre and, more recently, the Pierpont Morgan Library and the New York Times headquarters in New York), the 72,000-square-foot museum showcases artwork from the collection of Eli and Edythe Broad, whose $60 million contribution funded the new space.The canopied, 8,100-square-foot BP Grand Entrance—which hosted 310 guests for a luncheon provided by on-site caterer Patina at a preview on February 8—serves as a central entryway for the entire Lacma complex. With Ogden Street removed, Lacma West is no longer separated from the rest of the museum; the entire complex is now accessible from both Wilshire and 6th Street and from the new underground parking structure. A palm garden by Robert Irwin is also now complete.
Corporate and nonprofit groups can rent the BP Grand Entrance, which holds 500 for seated events or 700 for receptions. The north piazza is also available; it holds 800 for receptions. Groups renting BCAM spaces will also have after-hours access to the galleries. The BCAM, along with the rest of Lacma, will host events of all kinds, and an in-house staff and dedicated vendors provide audiovisual equipment, music, lighting, design, flowers, and parking.
Designed by Renzo Piano (the architect behind Paris's avant-garde Pompidou Centre and, more recently, the Pierpont Morgan Library and the New York Times headquarters in New York), the 72,000-square-foot museum showcases artwork from the collection of Eli and Edythe Broad, whose $60 million contribution funded the new space.The canopied, 8,100-square-foot BP Grand Entrance—which hosted 310 guests for a luncheon provided by on-site caterer Patina at a preview on February 8—serves as a central entryway for the entire Lacma complex. With Ogden Street removed, Lacma West is no longer separated from the rest of the museum; the entire complex is now accessible from both Wilshire and 6th Street and from the new underground parking structure. A palm garden by Robert Irwin is also now complete.
Corporate and nonprofit groups can rent the BP Grand Entrance, which holds 500 for seated events or 700 for receptions. The north piazza is also available; it holds 800 for receptions. Groups renting BCAM spaces will also have after-hours access to the galleries. The BCAM, along with the rest of Lacma, will host events of all kinds, and an in-house staff and dedicated vendors provide audiovisual equipment, music, lighting, design, flowers, and parking.
Chris Burdon's \"Urban Light\" installation
Photo: 2008 Museum Associates/Lacma
BCAM's Wilshire Boulevard facade will feature a rotating series of artwork; the inaugural banners are by John Baldessari.
Photo: 2008 Museum Associates/Lacma
Chris Burden's "Urban Light" installation greets visitors to the new Broad Contemporary Art Museum.
Photo: 2008 Museum Associates/Lacma
Guests enter the museum through an open-air escalator to the third floor.
Photo: 2008 Museum Associates/Lacma
Jeff Koons's stainless-steel "Balloon Dog (Blue)" is one of 160 works among the initial installation.
Photo: 2008 Museum Associates/Lacma
