Los Angeles Official Visitor Guide 2008 - (Page 37) Photos (left to right): The Getty Villa Inner Peristyle; Norton Simon Museum; Giacomo Manzu’s Cardinale Seduto at The J. Paul Getty Museum ©Ambient Images, Norton Simon, Courtesy of The Stark Sculpture Collection at the Getty Center ©Inge Manzu B. Gerald Cantor sculpture Garden at LACMA In the second half of the 20th century, Gerald Cantor and his wife, Iris, amassed the world’s largest collection of sculptures by the famed French artist Auguste Rodin. Nearly 40 of these masterpieces were donated to LACMA and now grace the park-like grounds. You don’t have to be a Rodin scholar to appreciate these works, and the intimate garden is a great place to relax and recharge after exploring LACMA’s galleries. Norton simon Museum sculpture Garden The Norton Simon Museum’s sculpture garden is a sublime little oasis (a mere 79,000 square feet of lawns and flowers) where a placid pool reflects lush greenery and important sculptures. The garden is a living work of art that provides tranquil and inspirational surroundings for the museum and its visitors. As you stroll the grounds, you’ll often find amateur artists sketching the attractive landscaping and notable sculptures. Whether you’ve got a few spare minutes or several hours, the garden is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. There’s also a cafe and a small patio where you can enjoy lunch and admire the environment. The 21st Century Plaza sculpture Garden Located in the Warner Center district in the San Fernando Valley, this sculpture garden features monumental works by world-class sculptors. Featuring both local and national artists, the garden is a significant member of the LA sculpture garden fraternity. In what might be a first for sculpture gardens, the installations rotate on a regular basis, giving a variety of artists the chance to be showcased, and providing visitors with a reason to visit regularly. The garden is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. pathways and circular stone benches. Plants popular with the ancient Romans, such as bay laurel, boxwood, myrtle, ivy and oleander, are planted around a spectacular 220-foot-long reflecting pool. The Inner Peristyle is stunning as well. Around a narrow reflecting pool sit replicas of finds from the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, including square marble basins and bronze statues depicting women who have come to draw water from a stream. Outside the museum entrance lies the Herb Garden, with its fruit trees and fragrant and colorful annuals. Wherever you stroll through the Villa, there is ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan sculpture scattered throughout and a pervading sense of peace that’s sure to bring a welcome feeling of calm. The Getty Villa Technically, there’s no sculpture garden at the Getty Villa. But there are gardens. And there’s plenty of sculpture. So stretch the definition just a bit and check out this enchanting attraction. The Roman-style Outer Peristyle is the largest garden at the Villa, and is adorned with hedge-lined For more information about LA’s sculpture gardens, visit our Web site at www.discoverLosAngeles.com “I love LA’s hidden architectural treasures. From Downtown’s movie palaces to sleek modernist masterpieces.” Firooz Zahedi/jpgphoto.com Diane Keaton 37
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