Atlantis Alumni

Thursday, May 8, 2014

The Getty Center and Warner Brothers

Our main excursion in the morning was to the border of LA and Santa Monica, to see the incredible Getty Center. (See numerous pics posted by Jim.) Jim was really amazed by the spectacular site in the hills which allows one, from the terraces, to view everything from downtown LA and Hollywood in the far distance to the beaches and nearby mountains. The modern architecture on the site, and the connecting museum buildings are also breathtaking. Jim decided it was the most beautiful museum he’s ever visited. The collections cover Western art from the late Middle Ages through the nineteenth century. Though the museum does not have the depth of an art institution on the East Coast, or the Art Institute of Chicago, the Getty does have important and first rate examples of many beloved artists, including Titian, Rembrandt, von Hornthorst, Turner, Corot, Monet, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh and many others. In addition to paintings, the museum also has a large collection of sculpture and decorative arts. The French period rooms from the 17th and 18th century were equal in importance to those of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Metropolitan in New York. We also enjoyed a wonderful lunch in The Restaurant, and Dan’s lunch was served complete with wine pairings for two of the three courses. It’s about an hour drive in difficult traffic, but coming back in the afternoon fewer cars were on the road.

The day’s second main attraction was a fun visit to Warner Brother’s Studios in the Hollywood Hills. The vast lot included visits to sound stages where the TV shows “Friends” and “Sullivan and Son” are made. Warner’s also shows tourists its collection of special cars (including a ‘batmobile’) and a costume museum. Tonight Jim wants to return to West Hollywood for a Japanese dinner. –Dan

Daffy and Bugs

Duesenberg driven by Leonard DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby

A part of the Warner Bros. back lot.

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