Currently showing at The Getty Center are two exciting exhibits: Manet and Modern Beauty and True Grit. Whether you lean towards prints and photographs from 1900-1950 or love the vivid café scenes of Manet’s Paris, you’ll find yourself enthralled.
One of my favorite self-care activities is visiting the local museums. Yes, this does require that I have the time to do it, but, for residents, the experience is inexpensive (and often free) and offers a chance for me to step into another world for a short amount of time. Invariably, I come out feeling inspired and ready to get back to facing the world I briefly left behind.
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This need for a temporary escape prompted Andy and me to head over to The Getty Center one Saturday. Typically, we do not go to the popular museums on the weekends because the crowds are massive, and we know that we are privileged to have flexible weekday schedules that often allow us to go when there are fewer people. Still, the need to escape was strong, and we arrived at The Getty Center without a real plan.
Manet and Modern Beauty
Much to our surprise, it turned out to be a Family Festival. These happen periodically over the year and involve activities that tie into a major exhibit. In this case, it was Manet. The courtyards were filled with musicians playing French music, stations where kids could design their own bonnets or boaters, have pictures taken in period costumes, and find themselves introduced to roller skating as it was in the 1870s. It was a happy accident, but we loved what we experienced of it. Judging by the people who flowed in and around the family events, it was a big hit.
Take a look at some of the moments we enjoyed in the central courtyard.
The Manet and Modern Beauty exhibition runs until January 12, 2020, so you still have a couple of days to get out and experience this exquisite work.
True Grit
If your taste runs more toward American culture, the True Grit photography exhibitions could be just your thing. The Museum describes it as including, “compelling depictions convey a broad view of American culture that includes dance halls and boxing rings, skyscrapers and subways, parks, and tenement apartments. Using innovative techniques, these American artists captured the gritty world around them and came to terms with modern life.”
We were wowed by it. This one is wrapping up its stay at The Getty Center on January 19, 2020, so start planning your trip now.
The reality is there is always something going on at The Getty Center. Even when we have just gone up on a whim, we have come out feeling renewed and inspired. Admission is free, but parking will cost. I believe the price is now $20 if you park in their parking, but there is an uber/lyft drop-off area and a bus that will get you to the doors.
