I LOVE LA thanks to Robert Irwin and his Getty garden

I recently visited my BFF in LA – a place I always love to go. As a New Yorker,I’m not supposed to love Los Angeles , but it’s one of my favorite places on Earth. What’s not to like ? Constant sunshine, a daily dip in the Melrose Place type pool, lots of yummy ethnic food (Peruvian is my fave) , the many beaches (shout out to Santa Monica and Venice) , my favorite band X (especially the album titled Los Angeles) and of course Fred Segal (best haircut ever and during their bi-annual sale). And now the top of my list…The Getty Museum.

After taking the tram, with amazing hilltop views of sprawling downtown LA, I arrived at the serene Getty. I was interested in the art, especially the Irving Penn exhibit. But another BFF suggested I spend my time in the gardens. After one peak over the stairs, I knew she had my best interest at heart. I ascended down another beautiful staircase to see all the glory.

After meandering through the garden, I became very interested in its designer, artist Robert Irwin. I began researching this amazing artist online and began seeing similarities in the forms and plants in the garden and his art. Here are some of the matches I drew a comparison.

This is the diamond shape at the center of the water stream that cascades throughout the garden. The work of Robert’s Light Column shows the same linear focal point.

The water continues down the gardens and mirrors the luminescence of Irwin’s large Blue Light installation.

The fiery pepper like pods in the garden are similar in palette to the the Irwin exhibit full of yellow paintings.

One of the star attractions of the garden is the beautiful bougainvillea trees. I get the same passionate rush from Irwin’s Red Drawing light sculpture.

I love the serenity of the cactus in the garden; they seem so humble surrounded by such bright flowers. Irwin’s Black Raku (one of a few paintings I could find) has that same peaceful feeling to me, even with the dark pallette.

The beautiful rambling of the azaleas are a twin for this Irwin Untitled light piece. I find the circular form so feminine and curvy. He does it much better than I can describe it, but isn’t that the importance of all art?

A picture of Robert Irwin (from the LA Times- not my pix) under his famous bougainvillea and steel sculpture, looking quite happy. His Who’s Afraid of Yellow, Blue , and Red sculpture has the same form and canopy as the beautiful trees above.

As many of my previous posts can attest, I am inspired daily by artists and the colors/ forms of all that I see. An artist’s gift to us is to help us see the glory in all that surrounds us- at least that’s my 2 cents. I can’t wait to be inspired by another museum and of course, Mother Nature. Thank you LA and Robert Irwin.

To plan your visit to the Getty and its garden , visit Getty.edu.org.

To book an appointment with hairstylist Carlos Ortiz at Fred Segal visit fredsegalbeauty.com. Tell him I sent you- he’ll change your life.

Here’s a delicious recipe for the most amazing Peruvian green hot sauce from www.ivu.org.

ENJOY

Aji (Peruvian Hot Sauce)
From: odalay

This is that wonderful fresh, bright green, hot sauce served in many Peruvian restaurants. It’s great vegetables.

SERVES 100 , 1 squirt bottle

• 2 bunches cilantro, stems removed
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 jalapenos, quartered
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• water, as needed

In a blender add the cilantro, oil, jalapenos and salt.

Pulse, adding water as needed until it’s well blended but not runny.