Two places topped my list of places to visit on my L.A visit last winter.  

Actually there were more….but there always is….

One was the Getty Museum designed by Richard Meier.  I am a huge fan of Richard Meier…..in fact, the house I live in now has Richard Meijer elements.  Don’t know who he is? 

Here’s a link. 

Richard Meier Link.

He was hired  to design this museum high on a hill above LA. Lots of times people rave about the other Getty, but frankly I haven’t been interested.  Why?  I am enamored with the work of this famous architect.  

When it opened years ago,  we went there and I was enthralled.  Not about the art.  I don’teven remember. I loved the building and the gardens.  The white marble.  The orderliness of it all.  

Many years later, I wondered what I would think. It was the same.  I loved it all.   

The white buildings.  The strong contemporary lines.  The curves and swoops.  The endless sky.  The gardens and plantings.  Did I care about the art? Nope. The building and the grounds were the art to me.  

I meandered endlessly with my camera looking for abstracts, angles, interesting textures.  They were all there.  Happy me.   This spot feeds my soul.  

I suspect the art this there or the really good stuff is at the other Getty, who knows.  I had a wonderful time.  

I do have to mention that we had lunch in the charming dining room. An exquisitely beautiful salad.  Worth doing.  We were able to get in without a reservation but I’d suggest planning ahead.  

And then the other “for sure thing” to see:   Rodeo Drive.  As a former retailer, shopping center marketing director and fashion writer, I’ve always heard about Rodeo Drive. It has always been touted as the  West Coast Fashion Mecca.  

I wanted to see it, experience the elegance and privilege. I wanted a mental image of where the peaks of fashion are displayed in CA.  

We didn’t have much time.  Our schedule was not our own at that point, but I saw enough to be really surprised.  I thought it would be quiet, elegant.  Subdued somehow.  Limos with whispering chauffeurs.  

Well, it didn’t feel that that way.  It was much more gaudy than I expected.  I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.  

What did amuse me though was this building.  What is it?   It grabbed my attention,  that ’s for sure.  I looked it up when we got home.  A Pop Up Museum.  Now that’s a new one.

Mr. Brainwash, a street/pop artist, who was discovered and featured in a 2010 Oscar-nominated film called Exit Through the Gift Shop opened a Pop Up Museum.   

Interestingly, the building was designed in by Richard Meijer in 1996.  It’s the former Paley Center for Media.