Kubrick Exhibit at LACMA

Good Evening Lovelies!

Two weeks ago, my lovely friend Brianne and I decided to get some culture and went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA.  Our timing couldn't have been better as it was the last weekend of the Stanley Kubrick exhibit.

We started off the afternoon with the Levitated Mass.  I had never heard of this before and Brianne tried to explain it to me.  The way I understand it, it's a big rock.  Yup.  That's pretty much it.  I'm completely dumbfounded by some modern art - behold Exhibit A.

Someone found a REALLY big rock and decided it was somehow artistic.  Then $10 million worth of private donations was spent to build the walk-under and transport the 340 ton boulder from Riverside County to LACMA.  The little teaser trailer for the documentary makes it seem like this brought people together.  That's an amazing thing...but it's still a rock.

Getting the positioning just right to make it look like someone is lifting an object is much more difficult than it seems...

More people attempting the obligatory photograph.

As is pretty obvious, I was underwhelmed by the Levitated Mass.  Though I am never underwhelmed by the LACMA in general...

Stay dreamy.  Stay creative.  Keep playing ball, L.A.!

Super cool elevators to the underground parking structure.

As I expected, the Kubrick exhibit itself was also fantastic!

One of the many things that was fantastic about this exhibit was the fact that photography was A-OK!  Here are some of my favorite shots (I walked away with literally hundreds).

Kubrick on the importance of chess in directing.

VERY large wall of Kubrick's movie posters.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Prospective titles for the film

Scale model of the war room.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Napoleon

So much research for a film that never happened...

Letter from Audrey Hepburn 

A Clockwork Orange

Blurry, I know.  Mea culpa.

After seeing this, Brianne said, "Okay, now I HAVE to see this movie!"

Original newpaper props

The Shining

Photo in the bar.

Heeeeere's Johnny!

Full Metal Jacket

While I've only seen a handful of Kubrick's films (and none at all recently), I just ordered a few from Amazon and will be pulling out The Shining very soon.  Seeing into the mind of a director usually makes me appreciate their work so much more.

Now THAT'S a lens!

After the exhibit, the fun continued!  Brianne had learned about an exclusive four course Kubrick-themed pop up dinner at the LACMA Café, so we hurried on over.

The chef was nice enough to modify the menu for us!

Starter - Beet Meringue with a Goat Cheese Foam and Almond Dust (Brianne made that last part up).  Ridiculously delicious!!

First course - Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad with Berries and Fresh Mint.

Second course - Kale Roll and Beet Monoliths with Chanterelle Mushrooms atop a delicate Mushroom Foam.  Not only was this delicious, but the smear of beet puree on the side of the plate was such a great omage to Kubrick's use of red in his films!

Third course - 2001 A Space Odyssey:  Barramundi Monolith, Baby Vegetable Solar System, Pistachio Soil, Herbs, Flowers, Charred Lemon Nage.  Indescribable....

"This is the most phalic meal I've ever eaten!" - Brianne
"This monolith is overwhelming!" - Brianne

Fourth course - Full Metal Jacket:  Jelly Doughnut, Faux Cappuccino

Fourth course - 2001 A Space Odyssey: 'Jupiter' Meringue Dome, Chocolate, Raspberry, Citrus, Mint

Needless to say, this was absolutely amazing!

After dinner, we went in search of a restroom and found this fantastic room!  LOVE the floor to ceiling windows and the massive chandelier!

And we found this amazing little art installation - because really, when was the last time anyone actually used a payphone?

Outside, the sun was setting and we were quite entertained at the lengths that people were willing to go to get a good shot of the Urban Light installation.

It was a beautiful scene and a beautiful sunset over the Levitated Mass.

Next stop, the Stark Bar for a drink.

We agreed with Tom Waits and ordered a bottle of bubbly.

And to end the night, we spent a little time at the Urban Light installation.  This really is SO beautiful and so iconic!

At a certain point, we succuum to the same temptations of getting that perfect shot...

It was an absolutely fabulous day!!

When was the last time you visited a museum, Lovelies?  If it's been a while, I definitely suggest you do so as soon as possible.
XOXO