 |
| WHY Architecture, rendering of planned Welcome Hall Lobby |
The Getty has released renderings of its new tram, tram station, and entrance hall. The new architectural elements are being designed by Gehry Partners and WHY Architecture. Barely mentioned in the press release is the Getty Center's original architect, Richard Meier. In 2018 sexual harassment and assault charges by multiple women against Meier led to the Getty cutting ties with the architect. Meier resigned from his own firm and has not done any high-profile commissions since.
Unclear from the released images is what happens to Meier's soaring, cathedral-like Entrance Hall. WHY is designing a new lobby and bookstore, as well a cafe for the entrance pavilion. WHY's renderings don't show much or any of Meier's design.
The press release says that the new elements will be "integrated seamlessly and respectfully" into Meier's design.
 |
| Existing entrance hall by Richard Meier & Partners |
 |
| WHY Architecture, rendering of Welcome Hall Lobby |
 |
| WHY Architecture, rendering of Store in Welcome Hall |
 |
| Gehry Partners, rendering of planned Lower Tram Station Canopy |
Comments
> assault charges by
> multiple women against
> Meier
The corrupt behavior (or unprofessional thinking) of various people throughout society is way too common. And, based on history, almost the rule, not the exception. Such as what one of the former directors of the Getty Museum was caught doing---involving money, if not harassment, etc. In spite of that, such types still manage to snake their way back into the world of arts and culture, etc (eg, the Broad Museum's board).
Meier could be asked, "what the hell were you doing and thinking?!" Similarly, the museum several miles to the east does things that, although at least not at the level of fraud or criminality, also makes one wonder.
The supposed (or hoped-for) professionals at LACMA apparently didn't flinch when a display like this was installed.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQrfjMGrCpTMT60j9uRhRN41PZyyKI2nQvW5g&s
That's another version of, "what the hell were you doing and thinking?!"
Cue J. Garcin's "rube."
Or: sooie, sooie.
And when the Getty is willing to spend millions on their campus, they better not suddenly become tightwads when it comes to the contents (ie, acquisitions) in their museum.
The counterexample of LACMA always giving the sense it never has enough dollars is one reason for Wendy Beckett on PBS in the late 1990s describing it as "relatively under-appreciated." The Geffen not changing that as much as hoped is deja vu (1965) all over again.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6F1Gnw35wumCsoEQbqbjsc5mecBShsPQMUg&s
^ The wall above that fireplace is lots of gray concrete. Blank gray concrete. So LACMA does a good job in making visitors think, whoa, the Louvre, Met & National Gallery, etc, sure are two-bit next to this!
By the way, where's the parking attendant?
Incidentally, that fireplace was originally in a home in Chicago. So it's a good thing the Chicago Institute of Art doesn't have it. That museum is lousy when it comes to evoking the setting of a warehouse or parking garage.