“The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) announced today that philanthropist and entertainment executive David Geffen has pledged $150 million toward the museum’s new galleries. The largest single cash gift from an individual in the museum’s history, Geffen’s philanthropic support also makes him the largest individual donor to the Building LACMA campaign. The new Peter Zumthor-designed building will be called the David Geffen Galleries in honor of his extraordinary gift.” —LACMA press release, October 4, 2017

David Geffen (from press release): “I am excited to see the positive effects this new building will have on Los Angeles’s art and architectural communities. This innovative addition to the LACMA campus will ensure ongoing and expanded access to their permanent collection. LACMA will be able to touch millions of lives and create an even healthier and more vibrant community for everyone.

“At a time when federal funding for the arts is threatened, it’s important that we foster public-private partnerships, like this one, to support arts and cultural institutions. We must ensure that the public, everyone, has access to these venerable institutions. I am proud to partner with the County and other members of the community in helping LACMA move this remarkable project from vision to reality. Together, we can and must make sure every person has access to the arts.”

The building’s design has undergone some recent color and footprint changes. Zumthor, in the Los Angeles Times in April, 2017: “It’s less slick and more substantial. Elemental. If I’m lucky the building will be like some kind of an Inca temple that’s always been in the sand and now they’ve excavated it — a really old piece that’s always been there.”*

lacma.org/sites/default/files/LACMA-BuildingLACMA-Pledge-10.4.17.pdf

*  latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-lacma-design-20170406-htmlstory.html

 

Corner of future LACMA building, overlooking Hancock Park. Image credit: Atelier Peter Zumthor.