I think I was watching the second Shazam movie. In the beginning of the movie some of the main…read morecharacters were in a famous Greek museum in Athens. And that is something that I have always wanted to do, visit Athens and absorb its historty and culture. I love the stories of the Olympians and their myth and legend. But I think I might not make it. It is a sad fact too but I am not above accepting my reality even if it makes me sad. But this visit to LACMA lessened my sadness cause when I entered the new Geffen and strolled around I found a bust of my favorite Olyimpian: Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Strategic Combat, and of course, weaving. It was a moment of discovery but also felt destined. Like I always loved hearing her stories and the gift she gave the world, without it Ravenclaw would not exist. And that is one moment that happened. The campus is grandiose and replete with different gifts for the eyes and the mind. I can imagine many folks finding their own Athena-like discovery amongst the varied art of this place. I had not gone to the Geffen, until recently. I did not want to be part of the crowd when it was a mass of legs and hands. I wanted to be part of the crowd when the bulk of humans lessened. I also was pleasently surprised because as I took out a Bank of America card to pay, I was informed that on this weekend Bank of America customers got in free. I had never heard of this offer, and it was great to experience. Finding the Athena bust was still better than this, but this free entrance was definetely better than being pecked by a white owl. I first entered the Geffen. It was a cloudy day in LA sans meatballs. I took a moment to stop on the steps on the way up to the entrance to clip the rare occurrence in LA: gray skies. In one picture, I see palm trees in front of these gray skies. Eerie, like witnessing a shallow snow day in a dessert. I wonder how much snow can cacti hold? When I first entered the Geffen Gallery I felt the sensation of wow, I am traveling and I am seeing something new. And for those who may wonder, I did travel. The 110 north to the 10 West. It may not seem like a lot but for a frequent freeway-flyer the route seems like a small sojourn especially on a day of rest. Regardless, I am sure there is a name for the sensation I felt: Wonder and gratitude for traveling and seeing and being within something new. The wallks were gray, like a prison gray but textured with more grayness so it became fortress gray. I did not feel the opulence of a castle. I felt the joyous stiffness of deep and shaded gray. However, there were rooms inside the bigger gallery colored in a precious purple. These rooms were jaunty and an excellent juxstaposition to the formidable gray that defined the space. As I walking the gallery, I looked out their windows and curated nature was part of the gallery, except that it was outside. The first natural wonder I saw was the pits of water decorated with mammoths, the lake exhibition outside of the La Brea Tar Pits. I saw many people seeing the lake from the outside. We never saw this lake from this new altitude. Somehow it compelled us to view it with new apprecetiation, the appreciation of a birds-eye view. As I continued to walk I saw the window, and I felt the wow of gratitude again. I saw what I will coin a big Yoshi head. Yes, Yoshi of Super Mario World fame. I was like wow this is new, and amazing. I saw a cartoon dinousaur head made out of green bush leafs. After my visit, I went downstairs and asked a staff member where the big Yoshi head was and she knew exactly what I was talking about. So before calling me a philistine please know that pop culture also defines fine art. So says Warhol and so say I. He might not have actually said that but you know, his paintings of Campbell's soup did. It was also interesting to walk the Geffen Gallery and see a painting or something like the painting of the Virgin Mary. Religious artifacts are of course art. But I have seen the Virgin Mary at church, at home, in tv, in other people's home and I never thought to name her as art. Why? Maybe because she was never put in a museum. I also saw a bust or mini statue of Michael fighting Luciger Morning Star. Michael was on top ready to stab a helpless, lyiing devil. I know some might call me a heathen but this small statue made me appreciate the show Supernatural more because in one season or even more, Michael and Lucifer was like this whole thing. So I could see the fight happen, here, and not in the tv show. I know I did make this connection but I swear all my knowledge does not come from television and pop culture. I also saw, a Monet. It had water lilies. I am not sure if I found his famous painting, or one in the series. But still wow--- I found a European adventure in a Californian Gallery. Makes sense. Sure. Still wonderful and unexpected-- yes! Across. the museum, I also found different forms of art that I reapply appreciated, for example fashion!

From the very beginning of the first impression, it was horrible…read moreImagine exiting the parking lot elevators to enter the museum only to be surrounded by colossal bronze sculptures of animal heads, and one demonic head! Yikes! Yeah, that was our first impression which was bad Overall, This was such a waste of time. We were very unimpressed by the exhibits. All this post, modern art is quite rubbish. People making random scribbles and throwing paint on it is art? My three-year-old niece can give me that for free. The figurines and statues are grotesque. They have way too many rules about what to wear and how you carry your backpack. And the payment you make only permits you to go to certain areas. Very unimpressed by their collection Totally regret coming here and will never go back

I had did some research before I stepped into this creative expression of fun collections. This…read moremuseum is definitely an art experience worth visiting with iconic figures and street art that paints Mr. Brainwash's (Thierry Guetta) main mantra for the museum, "Life Is Beautiful" which is dedicated to honoring imagination, joy, creativity and inspiration. It's his own work that is displayed but he also references artists work such as the famous Banksy and other artists. A friend told me that the documentary, Exit through the Gift Shop, is connected to this museum. I have yet to watch but will do so to gain more understanding. Apparently, it was free museum day because there were hosts at the door greeting and letting visitors in. That was nice. It wasn't too busy but a good crowd to where I had to wait for my turn to take photos. It's three levels including the rooftop where more artwork is held and a view overlooking Beverly Hills. They also have a gift shop with unique items for purchase. I bought a cutesy pen with an engraved quote on it. To add, I was instantly moved by the creativity and effort they put into this museum. It brought a lot of inspiration. The art work gave me ideas of how I would want a part of my home to look like. It was a fun visit and would recommend for anyone wanting to dig into their imagination and enjoys art. I am also a sucker for anything that brings out the inner child in me and this place fed it well. Thank you, Mr. Brainwash and staff. Ps. The museum might be closed now. Unsure if it's temporary or permanently but still wanted to share my experience. I visited it in January of this year.

My friends and I had fun here. It's free and you get two hours free parking across the street…read morewhere Crate and Barrel is... Great place to visit. There are 3 floors and it's kind of like a maze inside. Unfortunately, this museum is closing January 6, 2026. Visit if you can! There is a lot to see and take pictures of... The art is like an Impressionist and pop culture fusion!

Wish it was possible to add 1/2 stars since I'd rate this museum 4 1/2 stars for the beauty of its…read morespace - especially the landscaped gardens-and the staff who are super friendly and helpful to visitors. On my first visit, the Culver City Book Fair was occupying the back garden space and it was a lot fun to walk through browsing through books and chatting to publishers. The museum itself was a hodge podge of Cold War artifacts (statues, Soviet books, assorted items like cameras and recording machines and mementoes) displayed along with art on the walls. Local California-artists are sometimes represented with their photographs and painting also taking up space during some of their special exhibits, as the curators try to align the theme of communism with left-wing ideas of social justice and racial discrimnation. Beyond the art on the walls, however, and far more interesting, are LOTS of special events and regular programs like (free) yoga, meditation, lectures/talks, amazing jazz music on certain evenings. The museum sends out a newsletter monthly listing all the upcoming events. All in all a fantastic (cost-free) resource for the Culver City community and for the Westside of LA in general.

The Wende Museum is a free attraction in Culver City that uniquely offers an Eastern perspective on…read morethe Cold War that is not often represented in other US museums or in the typical classroom. It captures the viewpoints of those who lives under communist and socialist regimes. To be honest... it was one of the more boring museums I've been to. As someone who enjoys most museums, I was still really bored here. Nevertheless I know it's important to capture history and all points of views. There is also a small garden that connects an event center to the museum. There was an event on the day we came, but I'm not sure what the event was. Overall the museum is on the smaller side. You can probably walk through the entire floor in under an hour. Take a glance if you're in the area and looking to kill time, but I don't think you need to go out of your way for this place.

Definitely one of LA's more unique museums (in a good way). Such an interesting display of work and…read moreart that simultaneously blends well and makes no sense together. It's hard to describe what it really is, which is why y'all should check it out. Great art evokes thought, which is what this museum did!

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is an interesting way to spend an hour in Culver City! I wish I…read morecould show you but respect their wishes of no photos/videos inside. It's one of those weird niche museums you just gotta walk through and experience. It's a little bit of history, a little bit of histrionics, some gorgeous displays to walk thru, interesting bits to read, and an interesting collection for sure. My favorite part was their little garden with a few special birds. Such a peaceful and cute area, with tea offered at special times! What a nice touch. It's only open Thursday to Sunday with a $15 entrance fee and reserving a time in advance is best, so plan accordingly. For me, it was an interesting place to pop into once but I don't see myself coming back again~ nor would I bring out of town guests. I like quirky and weird - i AM quirky and weird - but just felt confused when I left.

I have been here many times before to check out the art installations. Admission to the museum and…read morethe parking lot is free. Get the tickets online. They have a parking lot, and the security guard will let you in once you let them know your purpose. The security guards at the gate and inside the building are very nice. Some of the art installations are really cool based on what you are interested in.

This is probably one of the best contemporary art museums I've ever been to. The staff is…read moreabsolutely amazing. They are all incredibly informative, welcoming, and so very professional. The exhibits were so interesting and the flow of the museum is so unique in itself. I'll definitely be back for another visit.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

L A M P Many lamps…read moreand different styles. It can get crowded here and it's just a bunch of lamps next to a busy street but it's a LA destination staple and place for some fun photos. Not much else to say since it's a public display. There was one security guard there when I visited so that's nice but aside from that, what you see is what you get. Just remember to be respectful to the work and others. It's for the public

Urban Light at LACMA is one of those iconic LA tourist spots that's worth checking out at least…read moreonce, especially if you're on a date with your partner. I took my wife, and overall it was... okay. The biggest downside? The crowds. It was packed, making it almost impossible to get a clean photo without strangers walking through the frame or ending up in the background. Thank goodness for Samsung's AI photo editing--it saved a lot of our pictures. Parking was another headache. It took us a while to find a spot, and then we still had to walk over to Urban Light. After taking a few photos and spending a little time looking around, we were pretty much done and headed out for dessert. Overall, it's a nice place to visit once, but I probably wouldn't go back. And maybe it's just me, but I couldn't help thinking it's kind of a waste of electricity to keep all those lights on throughout the entire night.

First time visiting the Blum Gallery in Los Angeles. I came specifically for the Yoshimoto Nara…read moreexhibition: My Imperfect Self which runs from Jan. 18- March 22, 2025. Pros: -free parking lot. If by any chance that lot is full, there is 2 hour free street parking directly outside of the parking lot. I visited on a Friday a little after 2pm and parking was still available in the lot -the Yoshimoto Exhibit was in two different sections. One was in the main area by the gift shop area and the other you had to exit the building and walk through the garden (that is where the large painting is on display) -the exhibit was free! They do have a little gift shop area where you could purchase things like books, tote bags, hats and postcards. Cons: -none! Overall, an enjoyable experience. Because there weren't descriptions of the art pieces, my visit was brief. However, glad I got to see this exhibit.

Huge fan of the free admission LOL…read more it's very spacious and quiet, i came when there was the yoshitomo nara exhibit! i liked the selection of merch they had in their small bookstore, i got a very nice tote of the nara exhibit for like $20. lowkey not a fan of the security guard following me thru the rooms like i am not going to steal anything. those nara sculptures were minimum 4 feet tall do you think i could've fit that in my baguette bag. one star off for that bc they had cameras like just check me thru those