The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) La Jolla has reopened after a major renovation and expansion by New York firm, Selldorf Architects.
The gallery space was quadrupled from 10,000 to 40,000 square feet. It also adds one more name to the MCASD architect list. More on that later.
A Yoyoi Kusama pumpkin was added to the museum's collection.
It plays nicely off the Andy Goldsworthy egg outside.
Sol Lewitt
MCASD has one of the best collections of light and space works.
Larry Bell
John McCraken, Donald Judd and Robert Mangold
Most of the galleries are filled with MCASD's own collection.
The exception is Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1960s
The gallery spaces have been expanded and also include some impressive ceiling heights.
More Niki
Niki de Saint Phalle, “Tir de Jasper Johns,” 1961
Speaking of Jasper Johns, here is his "Light Bulb I," 1958
Andy Warhol and Ed Ruscha
Local boy, John Baldessari
And his buddy, Richard Allen Morris
And his buddy, Tom Driscoll
I missed this view, Robert Irwin
More Robert Irwin
I was told that these are normally specified to be lit from the bottom and top with lamps.
After seeing it lit by just the window, Robert Irwin gave his approval.
An early Irwin.
And one more.
OK, so back to the architecture. Annabelle Selldorf really had her work cut out for her. The museum is a mishmash of architecture dating back to 1916.
Source: Selldorf
It all started with the Ellen Browning Scripps house by Irving Gill (1916)
In 1941 the house becomes The Art Center and in 1950 Robert Mosher and Roy Drew modified the Scripps home to include gallery space.
Source: MCASD
In 1960, the Sherwood Auditorium, by Architects Mosher Drew is added. Spoiler alert, it's been converted to gallery space.
Source: MCASD
Mosher and Drew renovation in 1980.
The Sol Lewitt from above was out in front at that time.
Source: MCASD
In 1996 Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates restored the Gill Scripps House facade, and performed an expansion. This includes Axline Court, Edwards Sculpture Garden, and the Museum Café.
Source: Venturi, Scott-Brown
Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown in 2002, when MCASD hosted an exhibition on the couple's work.
Source: LA Times
One of the more controversial aspects to the Selldorf expansion plan was the removal of the colonnade and courtyard by Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates.
In fact, Denise Scott Brown was against Selldorf Architects' plan:
"In designing our building, we carefully analysed and reacted to a pattern of activities on Prospect Street," she said in a statement sent to Dezeen along with a petition. "But now the delicate connections that we created are to be severed, equally threatening the museum and the village. Why not go on from what we so lovingly provided?"
MCASD responded:
"With the Venturi Scott Brown & Associates' columned courtyard, guests were consistently unable to locate the entrance, gravitating either to the shuttered Gill doorway or to the southern auditorium entry"
"Following the building's 1996 opening, at the behest of the museum, VSBA made an effort to remedy this important issue by designing additional exterior and interior signage," it continued. "Despite these efforts, the entry to the museum remained elusive to many visitors."
"VSBA's work is not being destroyed; yes, the columns and the pergola are being removed but the vast majority of their contribution will remain"
Source: Venturi, Scott-Brown
Well, the postmodern fans lost that battle. The colonnade was removed.
Before seeing the Gill back again, I was pretty against taking the columns down.
The consolation prize is that the colonnade was relocated a couple doors down, just behind the La Jolla Historical Society.
The Gill facade really does sing now.
It would be interesting to see what the response would be, if in 20 years, another plan calls for something to cover it up again. I'm pretty sure I would be against it.
The funny thing is, it actually happened last week.
Louis Vuitton hosted a party at MCASD and for some reason covered up the front of the Gill.
Are you mad?
This was after the epic Louis Vuitton Cruise runway show at the Salk Institute. I'm happy to see some of that expensive handbag money going to MCASD and Salk.
Source: NYTIMES
Great new spot at MCASD.
So glad it's back.