The Getty Center
When you want to see spectacular sculpture but also want to bask in LA's legendary sunshine, head to one of the following LA sculpture gardens, where the works of Rodin, Magritte, Malloil, Arp, Noguchi and many more are waiting to enjoy the weather with you. Anyone can appreciate how these sculptures add to the beauty of their natural surroundings. So take a stroll, relax and experience art in an entirely different way. After all, some things are just meant to be outside.
The Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden at UCLA
Many consider this one of the premier sculpture collections in North America. Sprawling over a five-acre swath on the north end of the UCLA campus near the Broad Art Center, the garden features more than 70 sculptures by such luminaries as Jean Arp, Alexander Calder, Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, Auguste Rodin, David Smith and Francisco Zuniga. Seating areas and open lawns throughout the garden invite you to pause and enjoy the interplay of art and nature. You can schedule a guided tour of the garden or explore the collection on your own. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy one of the nation’s most distinguished sculpture collections.
The Fran and Ray Stark Sculpture Collection at The Getty Center
In 2005, the Getty Center received a significant gift of 28 modern sculptures from the collection of legendary film producer Ray Stark and his wife, Fran. In 2007, The Getty Center marked its 10th anniversary with the permanent installation of these new and important works by many of the 20th century’s greatest sculptors, including Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Roy Lichtenstein, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Henry Moore and Isamu Noguchi, among many others. This new collection comprises a series of intimate and peaceful outdoor gallery "rooms" designed to invoke contemplation and conversation among viewers. Adjacent to the museum’s West Pavilion is the Fran and Ray Stark Sculpture Terrace, where the works installed demonstrate the way in which figurative sculpture has moved from representation to abstraction over the centuries.
B. Gerald Cantor Sculpture Garden at LACMA
In the second half of the 20th century, Gerald Cantor and his wife, Iris, amassed the world’s largest collection of sculptures by the famed French artist Auguste Rodin. Nearly 40 of these masterpieces were donated to LACMA and now grace the park-like grounds. You don’t have to be a Rodin scholar to appreciate these works, and the intimate garden is a great place to relax and recharge after exploring LACMA’s galleries. (Note: This garden is not currently open. There is no date set to reopen at this time.)
The 21st Century Plaza Sculpture Garden
Located in the Warner Center district in the San Fernando Valley, this sculpture garden features monumental works by world-class sculptors. Featuring both local and national artists, the garden is a significant member of the LA sculpture garden fraternity. In what might be a first for sculpture gardens, the installations rotate on a regular basis, giving a variety of artists the chance to be showcased, and providing visitors with a reason to visit regularly. The garden is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Norton Simon Museum Sculpture Garden
The Norton Simon Museum’s sculpture garden is a sublime little oasis (a mere 79,000 square feet of lawns and flowers) where a placid pool reflects lush greenery and important sculptures. The garden is a living work of art that provides tranquil and inspirational surroundings for the museum and its visitors. As you stroll the grounds, you’ll often find young artists sketching the attractive landscaping and notable sculptures. Whether you’ve got a few spare minutes or several hours, the garden is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. There’s also a cafe and a small patio where you can enjoy lunch and admire the environment.
The Getty Villa
Technically, there’s no sculpture garden at the Getty Villa. But there are gardens. And there’s plenty of sculpture. So stretch the definition just a bit and check out this enchanting attraction. The Roman-style Outer Peristyle is the largest garden at the Villa, and is adorned with hedge-lined pathways and circular stone benches. Plants popular with the ancient Romans, such as bay laurel, boxwood, myrtle, ivy and oleander, are planted around a spectacular 220-foot-long reflecting pool. The Inner Peristyle is stunning as well. Around a narrow reflecting pool sit replicas of finds from the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum (the architectural inspiration for the villa), including square marble basins and bronze statues depicting women who have come to draw water from a stream. Wherever you stroll through the Villa, there is ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan sculpture thoughtfully installed throughout and a pervading sense of peace that’s sure to bring a welcome feeling of calm.
