The Getty Center Field Trip

The+Getty+Center+Field+Trip

Tara Afshar, Journalist

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has finally opened its doors for group visits. The museum’s admission is free now and forever, though it temporarily requires a timed entry reservation. Ms. Valdes’ AP Art history students enjoyed their field trip at the Getty with museum docents guiding the tours, and the weather did not disappoint. Students left CDM campus early am, along with our very own principal Mr. Hill subbing in as a chaperone. Students were divided into several smaller groups to navigate the museum with ease. Masks were only mandated on the tram to and from the museum.

The Getty Center is currently exhibiting several installations such as Powder and Light: Late 19th Century Pastels, In Dialogue, Painted Prophecy: The Hebrew Bible through Christian Eyes, Imogen Cunningham, Flesh and Bones: The Art of Anatomy, In Focus: Writing for the Camera, Poussin and the Dance, Grand Design: 17th Century French Drawings, Silk and Swan Feathers: A luxurious 18th -Century Armchair, and J. Paul Getty Life and Legacy.

After the docent-led tours, students and chaperones enjoyed lunch out in the gardens or terrace, basking in the sun whilst enjoying the views of the blooming manicured gardens. Senior Alex Cheng remarked that “The trip to the Getty Museum was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to exercise the art history analysis skills that we have spent all year attempting to perfect. It felt rewarding being able to understand an artwork’s meaning, form, and function without having prior context”. The museum itself is truly an architectural masterpiece nestled among serene gardens, built from Italian imported travertine that was designed by the legendary Richard Meier. Natural light is one of the most important architectural elements at the Getty Center. The building truly boasts the elements celebrated by the Getty center such as permanence, simplicity, solidity, craftsmanship, and warmth. This remarkable museum, a gift from J. Paul Getty to the city of Los Angeles, allows visitors to explore art from around the world with its changing exhibitions, and explore connections within cultures from ancient times to modern-day history.