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San Diego Museum of Art
Rating Details »
Categories: Museums, Art Galleries [Edit]
Neighborhood: Balboa Park1450 El Prado
(between Plaza De Panama & State Highway 163)
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-7931
- Hours:
Tue-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for San Diego Museum of Art
Spanish painters are amazing.
'Nuff said.
(Also, it feels a bit weird to do touristy things in my hometown...)
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Paris has the Louvre; St. Petersburg, the Hermitage; New York has the Met, but San Diego has its very own museum of art that shouldn't be casually dissed in favor of a few beers and a sweet smoking hookah in the Gaslamp.
While not of the caliber of these aforementioned great edifices of cultural iconography, Balboa Park hosts a modest collection of all the genres necessary for an understanding of the cultural evolution of humankind (now there's an oxymoron, eh). Of course, these would include the arts of Asia, Europe, North America, and postwar and contemporary arts, in addition to an ever-changing exhibit of special events (like any decent museum should...lest we bore too quickly).
Current special exhibits include Alexander Calder (of mobile fame) who presents his loud, gaudy and bizarre "jewelry" (I'd never wear this shit being the modest and humble self I am); Richard Avedon's "Portraits of Power" (if you want to know who held the rings in his reign, here they are in black and white); and a collection of primitive art from Oceania.
For a General Admission ticket of $9, it's more than worth it and you just might learn something besides who sells the coldest beer or sweetest tobacco in the Gaslamp.
P.S., my impeccable taste was once again validated (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) when I discovered my favorite piece in the SDMA (the Young Shepherdess) also graces the cover of the current guidebook. I guess it's just my nature to have good taste, lip-smack mmmmm.
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'Picasso, Miró, Calder', the current exhibition on display through early December, is a relatively small display that one can, unfortunately, breeze through quickly because none of the pieces are particularly riveting in spite of the well-known names.
It does serve as a good appetizer, though, for the real treat across the hall, 'Calder Jewelry', on display through early January. This rare exhibition of Calder's whimsy is on full display as about 90 pieces of his hand-made jewelry may inspire you to go home and tinker with some wire and a pliers. It's an infectious buffet of twists and turns that is a reminder of how Alexander Calder's child-like energy produced such simple yet beautiful forms.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/3/2009
The great thing about Balboa Park is having cultural institutions all huddled near each other. The… Read more »
Went for the free admission (courtesy of Target!). While SDMA doesn't have the largest of displays (hey, we're not New York) I still had a great time viewing the art and letting my imagination run.
The Avedon exhibit was definitely interesting. The Calderon exhibit was beautiful. I listened in a bit on the docent tours - they had a lot of cool background and tidbits to share.
Be sure to check out the hummingbird feeders outside the window at the staircase. I could sit there all day!
The staff was welcoming and friendly. I walked out (and in!) with a smile!
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I came here on Sunday to see the Avedon exhibit (which was fantastic...see it before it closes on September 6th) and for some reason, it was free to get in that day. I think there was a special promotion or something...there was a sign out front, but I did not read it.
Normal admission is $12....oh, and it is pricey because the City cannot afford to nor does it really care about things like the arts, so people have to pay (admission and donations) to keep the place open...duh.
Anyway...I always come here when there is a special exhibit in town and it is something I want to see. I have seen all the permanent collections numerous times. Bottom line is that it cannot compete with L.A., NYC or European museums, but it is still a nice place that can get some awesome exhibitions from time to time.
Support the arts and get some culture. Then you can go back to drinking your beer.
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My sister recently visited beautiful San Diego and being the good hostess I am, I had a full itinerary planned. One of the days we ventured to the gorgeous Balboa Park. If you live in San Diego and have not taken advantage of this miraculous place, you have to be crazy. Balboa Park has so much to offer--museums, wonderful gardens, plays, events, history, and the list goes on. You could spend a day just walking around the beautiful park.
We decided to venture into the San Diego Museum of Art (http://www.sdmart.org/) because they were doing a exhibit on portraits that I really wanted to see. What a diverse and interesting museum, especially for the price ($12 for adults and $8 for students)! The magnificent architecture is a perfect home for the incredible art that lives inside of it. Although all collections seen at this museum are breath-taking, I want to focus on the two that stood out the most to me.
To read the rest of the review please visit my blog!
If you're an art lover this is the place for you.
If you're a college kid who needs to write a paper on something in here, this is the place for you.
If you're looking for a new adventure in your boring life, this is the place for you.
8 bucks for college students. 12 for adults.
There is an obscene amount of galleries in this building, not to mention upstairs and downstairs.
The galleries are fairly well labeled downstairs if your eyes can't decipher if you're interested with what is hanging on the wall in front of you.
The silence in museums has always creeped me out not to mention the feeling of being stalked, urm watched by the pretentious employees.
Art museums are never places I hit up so for the different experience alone, I'll have to say four stars.
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Nice building, lots to see. I've seen a couple neat-o exhibits, surprisingly including kimonos as art.
The Culture and Cocktail event is also pretty fun. It gets really crowded but who doesn't like listening to music and drinking surrounded by masterpieces?
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Gen Admin: $12.
Student: $8.
Not too big and all the water fountains were out of service. I felt like there wasn't a strong theme either and definitely not worth admission. There are better FREE museums in other cities.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I was fortunate enough to experience the SDMA before Richard Avedon's photography exhibit ended and thoroughly enjoyed Calder's jewelry display. The SDMA usually has some really beautiful or provocative traveling sets. Those two features alone were worth the admission price. This being my fourth time stopping by the museum, I can say I never get bored of the stuff that's resident there. From the Impressionist pointillism paintings to the Chiaroscuro found in the Spanish paintings, I can always sit down in front of those pieces and find something new in them. The SDMA is an affordable and fun way with A/C to culture-up your weekend.
Who says there isn't culture in San Diego?
The San Diego Museum of Art puts on a fabulous event called "Culture and Cocktails."
My first time going was last night! The explanation on the web site doesn't do it justice! I'm still wondering how it got such a huge following. There were over 1100 people there. It was a good variety of peeps but mostly the young and beautiful (not me, of course!).
There was a DJ with great dance clubbish tunes. Great high energy with friendly people. A signature cocktail called Blue Angel Martini. And a no host bar. Beer was $5. Wine $6. Cocktails $7. For some reason, I thought the event was 6-8. Imagine my surprise when I found out we could stay 'til 9 pm. SCORE!
My 'dahlings' and I were all dressed up with somewhere to go on a Thursday night. Once again, I felt like I was in a big city like San Francisco or NYC. Luv'd the buzz!
Only bummer is we couldn't browse all the artwork with a cocktail in hand. Oh, and it was a bit warm in the upstairs corridor.
NOTE: No food or snacks were provided so don't come hungry!
Keep an eye on their website, tweet, or facebook page for more announcements of fabulous soirees! I think I might even join the museum so I can get the 'inside scoop.'
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It's tough and probably not reasonable to base much of this review on the temporary exhibits, because temporary exhibits are always going to be hit-or-miss over the long haul. For example, the current Black Womanhood exhibit is not exactly my thing. But that doesn't mean it isn't well curated. On the other side of the building, the Oceanic Art exhibit is right in my wheelhouse, also well curated, and I was happy to devour it. If anything, the issue with the rotating exhibits is that sometimes there simply isn't enough to make up an entire exhibit and the museum has to reach a bit. Fragments and obscure stuff that don't really reflect anything deeply important.
Upstairs though is the permanent collection and that's where we're getting somewhere. The collection isn't huge, and it doesn't cover everything, but it isn't supposed to. As has been mentioned, San Diego isn't going to be New York, DC, LA, Paris when it comes to art. So SDMA has responded in the only logical way: specialization. An emphasis on Spanish classics that delves into the nuances of its evolution and the less celebrated art and artists who were vital to the development of early painting styles.
Also, the work that's being done with restoration of these centuries-old pieces is stunning. For all I know it's happening elsewhere also, but the added intensity in these paintings after having hundreds of years of wear and tear removed is really pretty amazing. Just marveling at that is nearly worth the price of admission all by itself.
In short, SDMA ain't the Louvre or the Smithsonian or the Getty or the Guggenheim. But it's still got a lot of good stuff going on that you'll be a happier person for having seen and at least trying to understand. Which is just fine thank you.
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As a cultural hub, San Diego isn't going to compete with New York, San Francisco or even Los Angeles, for that matter, anytime soon. Thus, it's unreasonable to expect that a museum here will tout a collection at the level of some of the world-class museums. That being said, The SD Museum of Art does offer something for all appreciators of all manner of art.
For me, museums aren't so much about their collections are they are about moments. Connecting with a piece on a personal, emotional level...seeing beyond the art and feeling like you've just shared something deep with the artist and realizing that, maybe, we're not so different in this human experience of ours....this is what art does to me.
Walking through their halls, I glance over a few pieces by Diego Rivera. Normally I think his pieces should stay in the dentists' and doctors' offices where his reprints currently reside. This work was different, thought...one I hadn't seen before.
The piece is titled "The Hands of Dr. Moore", done in 1940. http://www.abcgallery....
Anyone who studied art knows that Diego Rivera and fellow artist Frida Kahlo shared a longtime love affair through the course of their lives. It seemed obvious to me that this work was influenced by her. For that one moment, staring into the paint, I could imagine him laboring over the easel in his studio and thinking of her as the brush hit the canvas. To see that someone as well-recognized and iconic as Rivera could be moved that way, that even he had his muse, made me realize that perhaps we're all looking for the same thing.
Moments like that are priceless to me. I happen to get into the SDMA for free that day but had I known I'd leave changed just slightly than when I came in, in my own hometown no less, I would've paid double the admission.
Go to the San Diego Museum of Art, folks, and find your own moment.
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The Art Alive Special Edition Culture & Cocktail " Flowers after Hours" event last night was fabulous.
Spectacular Floral arrangements presented by professional and award winning designers. It was a fun evening to enjoy, sip on a fine glass of champagne, delectable appetizers and the excellent art from floral to Richard Avedon Portraits of Power.
Alchemy's chocolate ball on a stick was delicious with a hint of chili.
The Abbey catering serving cups of mashed potato and the condiments (shredded cheese, chopped green onion, roasted garlic, olives, onions, chives, sour cream, chopped tomatoes and many more) are in martini glasses on a hanging rack. The Ranch catering was the main food section; chocolate covered strawberries, sliced water melon and cantaloupe, cookies, assorted cheeses, coconut shrimps, teriyaki kabob chicken and beef, wonton lobster, artichoke dip, water and wheat crackers, French bread and stuffed mushrooms.
St-Germain was the free champagne and martini drinks. Champagne was excellent and they have several bar station if you wish to buy a glass of your favorite drink.
I had the Rare European Rose Nectar drink with sparkling water; mmmm it was delicious and refreshing.
Disconnected fashion salon was doing all women's hair for free, the line was too long, so I went to make my floral mask instead (got lots of compliments) and then to the perfume station by Jo Malone got a nice cologne bottle mixed for me a sweet citrus fragrance with a unique scent.
I love the music the DJs played all night long from Thievery Corporation, Portishead and Bittersweet.
Excellent event and I love to people watch.
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4/23/2009
Tonight was the Culture and Cocktails Event; I do love going to SDMA especially when they have the… Read more »
Visited the Black Womanhood exhibit today, and it's very worthwhile. Excellent selection and dialogue--it framed experience of difference and complications of identity well in the written info as well. But this is a temporary exhibit. Stick solely to interesting sounding temporary exhibits, because . . .
Overall, SDMA is very poorly done.
Their (permanent?) exhibit on American Art is a microcosm of the problem: selections of "American Art" are slapped together from different periods. Pop avant garde next to impressionism with some abstract expressionism sprinkled in? Sure! This smattering of work is haphazardly arranged under some vague, problematic rubric about "America" as a unique aesthetic. Information about the pieces is lacking, and when provided, poorly conceived and written. In fact, most of the display and design on the bottom floor was awful--it did even decent exhibits a huge disservice.
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I need to go here this weekend. Its been so long since Ive last visited. Most Saturdays or Sunday afternoons I'm either sitting at a bar somewhere or watching an idiotic movie.
Im sure they have things that were not there the last time that I visited. Yea thats a pretty ignorant statement if I do say so myself. Moron.
Its kind of annoying to me when people compare this museum to world class museums such as the ones in Europe or even New York and other major metropolitan cities.
Just APPRECIATE it for what it is and have a good time. Enjoy.
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Wow. Feels nice to give a 5 Star Review!
I've never even given any Museum a 5 star review before either...
so, what merits this Grand Occasion of Cinco Estrellas?
Simple, First: The "Kimono as Art" exhibition (closes Jan 4th 2009)
GO SEE THIS EXHIBIT NOW!!!!!
I will be going a Second time =)
The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota are Breathtaking!
Soooo great, what wonderful, amazing textile work combined with Ink drawings in some pieces as well...
To hear the history/bio of the Artist was also interesting in the free Docent Tour. Check the schedule but I recall it goes on at 2pm but there are other times as well.
If you like Landscape work, if you like ART, if you like Color...you MUST GO SEE this Exhibit!
This really is ART! I LOVE IT.
I appreciate the works were brought here to San Diego and I feel lucky that I got to see them.
They are also concurrently displaying a few of his Kimonos at the Timken Museum (also at balboa park) but there they're only showing about 6 pieces and really in my opinion the ones inside the SDMA are nicer looking for some reason...
(probably because Timken is Free)
Also, another nice exhibit on show right now is the "Works on Paper" by all female artists. I enjoyed those works as well.
Oh, also did I mention I got to see them at SDMA for Free since it was Free Museum Tuesday.
But otherwise Regular Adult Admission is $10.
I think it's $7. for Students w/ id
Plus the Second part of my 5 Star Review is for their "Art of Elan" Concert Series!
Chamber Music, Classical Music...I fancied it a lot.
I was one of the younger in the audience but it was freakin great. This was the first time I've ever gone to see Classical music and from this experience I am now more interested in it and getting to be a fan...
And for your $25. ticket you even get a Free Download of the live concert the following day! (Members pay $20.)
(Student w/ i.d. Ticket price only $10.)
I most likely will be attending the next Art of Elan Concert. It is a Series and the next will not be happening until Feb of '09 but if you are a fan of Classical Music check it out. http://artofelan.org/ Fun and Well produced...a nice time
Cheers
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I love SDMA. I especially love culture & cocktails. Not only do I get to see the museum, I get to do cool things and get free drinks. The museum itself is pretty large and hosts a pretty good collection. The only downside to C & C is it is VERY crowded. If you just want to see the art, it is not a good time to go.
I've been to three of the culture and cocktail events. I went to the very first one and knew I had to go again. The next one I went to was an Asian-themed one. It was awesome. They had hosted sakes, sushi, hair and make-up artists doing ladies up with Asian-inspired manes, a champagne area hosted by one of the bars downtown, plus all the art! It was fabulous! I also went to the one last night which was Tahitian-themed. They had hosted martinis, body art, and cuff-making.
C & C is a great evening event with a lot of word-of-mouth buzz about it. One reason I really like the event is because the entry fee is so reasonable ($12) and you get a lot for your money. It is a great way to entice a lot of local people who may not usually go to visit, while raising money for the museum.
You can check out a video of the museum entrance during culture and cocktails 4/23/09 here:
http://www.youtube.com...
http://www.youtube.com...
"Eleanor Antin- Historical Takes" is currently on display at the San Diego Museum of Art through November 2, 2008.
The bulk of the exhibit is dedicated to the artist's most recent project: a series of huge photographs based on mythological stories, but with a few modern twists. Many of the works take on the role of women, the benefits of wealth, and the effects of war.
The photographs themselves are absolutely gorgeous. Stunning in sharpness and clarity, and bursting with colors and textures.
However, I felt like Antin often spelled things out a bit further than she really needed to. The pieces which explore the many "jobs" and personalities of the modern woman were quite well-executed. But some of the pieces that deal more with the interaction of men and women felt rather forced.
In all, I felt the concept was really brilliant. Its hard to believe no one had done this before. And Antin's works are on such a grand scale, its hard to believe any one will try this idea again any time soon.
With admission to the SDMA at $10 for adults, I don't know if this exhibit alone is worth the ticket price. But admission to the museum is free on the third Tuesday of the month.
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Okay, I understand that this is not a world class museum, but I am a San Diego native and it holds a special place in my heart, and if you go to the events, you'll love it forever.
Quarterly they have an event called "Culture and Cocktails". It seems to coincide with their exhibitions and it is so much fun. They bring in a DJ and usually have a little art project related to the exhibition. There is also a signature beverage included in the price, but if it's not your bag then they sell other drinks. It's really a fun time to dress up and cut loose in a beautiful and unconventional setting.
Annually they have my favorite event (drumroll please) ART ALIVE! Local florists make floral representations of the art and they drape the place in gorgeous flowers. Please go to this as early as possible before it starts to wilt and pay the 50 bucks to go to the master class. And do me a favor, please dress up because I like to look at you too. :)
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I'm actually writing a review 1/3 for the museum and 2/3 for their annual event "Culture and Cocktails" since I've only gone to the museum during these events (2 times now)...it's definitely a cool and very different experience of seeing a traditional art museum. if you didn't get a chance to attend the latest one last night - definitely hit up the next one, which I think should be in the spring? during this night time event, they turn the museum into someone of a night club with dj's, drinks, cool art, and some special themed activities.
for the art:
As some people have already mentioned, the current major exhibit is the "Kimono as Art" by Itchiku Kubota. Freaking A-MAZ-ING dude. so impressive when artists take extremely traditional and turn it into innovation...and yet still hold onto the integrity of culture. what is most exciting about this exhibit is that it is ONLY being shown in san diego and a small town in Ohio. I forget exactly who it was that worked really hard to get this at the SD Museum (Curator?) but Ohio is the home town of that person, so thats why thats the other location. AND THATS IT - NO WHERE ELSE IN THE USA. Hit it up Yo!
so gorgeous...oversized Kimonos hung around a large room forming a semi-circle, displaying a continuous landscape of the changing seasons from fall to winter. light, texture, detail, dedication. if i recall correctly, it took him 40 years...everything done by hand.
the rest of the art collection is mainly very old school, lots of portraits, a few warhols. most of it contain in small rooms on 2 levels.
the event:
$10 gets you a ticket into the museum for complimentary drinks throughout the night, 'night club-like music,' all the art within the museum, a few themed activities - due to the kimono exhibit this one had professional mac mack-up artists doing asian inspired eye make-up and disconnected stylists doing hair. i did the make-up which was fun, but the hair line was just too long. there was champagne, saki-tinis, and samples of Gekkeikan Saki - DUDE, even had sparkling Sake? - da bomb.
did i just say da bomb? nevertheless...
such a fun event - really makes this museum stand out for the rest in Balboa park. Looking forward to the next.
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Nice try, San Diego.
I've been to this museum a few times. Each time, I am disappointed and left with a sense of wanting more. It is just too small. And I think it lacks modern art.
But the architecture is pleasant. Overall, I like the building and its layout. I just wish it was bigger and had more exhibits.
All art in San Diego tends to be underfunded, under-appreciated, and under-represented. This is just one more instance of that fact...
Thumbs up for trying.
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Maybe I'm just spoiled by my trips to Europe, but, in the words of Randy Jackson, "it was just OK dog."
The building itself was probably my favorite part of the experience. The collection left a bit to be desired as it's not that big and there aren't too many works that blow you away.
Go, support San Diego museums, but don't go in expecting to see famous works that you studied during your freshman art history class.
The museum is small and the collection is slightly sparse. However...the location is gorgeous and they have a small yet expressive collection of European works. It is still and adorable and introspective museum.
They have rotating exhibits so just catch your favorite when you can.
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I came to this museum on an evening where they had a social mixer of some sort. It was a blind date...so that was awkward to begin with. However the cool part is that there was a small bar in every corner of the museum. The bar was limited on liquer and beer...but it wasn't bad at all, it got the job done. Perhaps I enjoyed it a bit more because I was a bit tipsy.
I went through the different levels and the different exhibits trying to pretend like I knew what I was looking at to impress this dude. But I don't think it worked, most of the artwork was just weird...I just couldn't seem to grasp it, but perhaps if I was a bit sober I would have read through each one carefully like I usually do.
One thing I loved about this place was the building itself. It was gorgeous, great architecture. I loved the inside and the outside of the building...it was grand and ornate. That was impressive more than the artwork inside.
This museum actually caught me really offguard. After recent trips to Europe and visiting museums Rome and London earlier this year, I didn't think there would be anything in this museum that I could be impressed by. However, I was completely wrong! There was a kimono exhibit there that was simply amazing, with Itchiku Kubota's work depicting different seasons and landscapes. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and by far one of the most impressive works of art I have ever seen. The rest of the museum was pretty cool too, with European collections including classic expressions of arts to modern art, with work from everyone from Georgia O'Keefe, to Warhol to Magrtitte. Not bad!!! I definitely recommend this museum as one of the better ones in San Diego.
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I come to San Diego to visit my boyfriend. I've never wanted to like San Diego because it stole my boyfriend away from me. I constantly would compare it to SF (which I know it's not really a fair comparison because SF is way better) and say that San Diego is completely devoid of culture, only because I spent most of my time there near the SDSU campus. Once I discovered Balboa Park, I was able to retract my statement.
This museum is no MOMA but I was pleased. It is small but the work was good. I went a few weeks ago. There was an Asher Durand exhibit, an artist I've never heard of but I enjoyed the work. There's an upstairs so be sure to go when you're done with everything downstairs. I think the admission is kind of a rip though, $18.95 for an adult.
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I'm still surprised at just how small the museums in Balboa Park really are. I get in and wonder where the rest of the rooms and holdings are hiding. I'm used to being able to get lost in a museum. Here, I just find the emergency exit at the back of the building.
Alas...
Though I find it to be small for a city museum of art, I've still been pretty pleased with some of it's visiting exhibits. For example, the Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz shows last year; which were really awesome.
If you head down to Balboa, plan to visit several museums in one shot. You'll have plenty of time!
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SDMA is definitely the showcase museum of Balboa Park. Their collection is diverse, but is especially strong in Asian art. The galleries have a few permanent installations, such as the Asian art collection (to the left of the entrance) and the American collection (to the right of the entrance.) Showcase pieces are in the gallery to your left when you enter the museum. My favorites are in 20th century art collection - a Matisse flower still life and Raoul Dufy's "The Seine". Upstairs you will find a small room devoted to the art of the Binney collection. This collection is vast, so the theme of this room is constantly changing. The permanent exhibitions upstairs are mostly renaissance and religious art. The standout of this collection is the "David and Goliath" painting, which was restored a few years ago.
Traveling exhibitions are hit or miss - the Leibowitz exhibition was top notch, as was last year's Warhol exhibition.
The museum is open until 9pm every Thursday. There is a quarterly Culture and Cocktails event that is very popular.
Museum members are invited to special member only previews, which are usually on Saturday nights. There is usually free food at those events and a no host bar.
The gift shop has a good range of books and cards related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection. They also have unique jewelry.
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Wait a minute, is SDMA is 5 stars (or even 4 stars), then what is the British Museum? This review page is another reason why Yelpers are too liberal in dishing out 4 or 5 stars and why it won't get any respect.
People will see Yelp as a place where children (yes children) write reviews based on their inexperience. Seriously, 5 stars for SDMA? I have tons of San Diego pride and an A+ for effort for SDMA but this isn't a 5 star musuem.
They will put on decent exhibits from time to time though.
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The Kimono display by internationally recognized Japanese textile artist and kimono designer, Itchiku Kubota (1917-2003) was the featured exhibit and I have to admit it was incredible. The rest of the museum, although smaller than we expected was very well done. It was a little depressing to be able to see into sections that were being ready to show but there was no admittance allowed (peeking was fun though).
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Of the various museums we visited in Balboa Park, the San Diego Museum of Art was my favorite. Their permanent exhibitions were all fascinating, but I especially liked the special "Personal Views" exhibition going on right now. There were quite a few wonderful pieces that I really got a kick out of.
I guess Balboa Park was doing some kind of holiday event called December Nights, so we got into all the museums for free between 5p-9p! There were carolers moving around the Museum too. Very fun.
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As many times as I've been to Balboa Park I had never been to the San Diego Museum of Art... until yesterday.
WOW.
The entire museum is packed with stunning works of art from all mediums. But the exhibit that truly blew me away was the one I went to the museum to see. Annie Leibovitz -- A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005.
Powerful. Emotional. Stunning.
The images displayed take us on a remarkable journey through the work of one of the world's most celebrated photographers. Are you thinking who is Annie Leibovitz right now? Whether you recognize her name, you'd recognize her photos. Demi Moore pregnant and nude on the cover of Vanity Fair? John Lennon naked curled up around Yoko Ono I believe on the cover of Rolling Stone?
For decades Annie Leibovitz has allowed us to see a different side of celebrity. However in this collection, we're brought in to her personal life as well as her "rich and beautiful" clientele. Her photos are poignant, telling the story of her life visually. Paying homage to her best friend and travel companion who died of cancer with a series of photos chronicling her illness. Old family photos in different stages of her life. Her father's death. Her children's birth. Celebrity's at their most beautiful or their most controversial.
The entire collection is awe-inspiring, thought provoking and a must see!
Annie Leibovitz
A Photographer's Life 1990-2005
February 10 - April 22, 2007
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I love the SDMA! I'm a member so I'm there damn near every weekend getting up close and personal with my favorite pieces... I'm also a member of the book club they have going on which, though it has been slow to start, is really really cool. Paige Satter the events coordinator is great and I have a MONUMENTAL crush on Derrick Cartwright. God, I'm practically in love with him. So handsome, so articulate, so accomplished, so humble (so married). Damn, I'm like a flippin' school girl whenever I get around him! *note to self: go change current crush to Derrick Cartwright!
Anyway, they host great events like Culture & Cocktails - their Insight Gallery Talks rock, they also have mini-concerts and lectures from time to time. They recently held their annual Art Alive exhibit too, which, if you love flowers, is not to be missed. Pretty good museum store too.
The permanent collection isn't the best I've ever seen, but for San Diego - it's definitely good enough!
Five stars because Derrick COMPLETELY lights my fire!
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San Diego Museum of Art, I am really mad you! I came to see the Annie Leibovitz exhibit last night along with thousands of other San Diegans. Why did you let us all in? Seriously, it was so crowded that no one could move and this was outside of the exhibit hall! I left before I could get within 20 feet of the entrance. If I had know that I would be spending the evening sandwiched between scenesters, I would have come back during daylight hours.
I have been to big art exhibits in L.A., so I know that this can be handled differently. Sell tickets for a particular time slot! It's not that complicated.
The exhibit opened almost two weeks ago. I would definitely avoid going on Thursday evening. Do yourself a favor and come during the day, because you won't see shit on the one evening a week that they are open late.
Another word of advice, if you absolutely must come on a Thursday night, take a cab. There was no parking anywhere in Balboa park. We ended up parking in Hillcrest!
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My mom loves going to Balboa Park. She really can't get there anymore on her own, so I usually take her there on the weekend. One of the places she never gets tired of is the San Diego Museum of Art. Nice structure. They have been working on the entrance and facade for a few months now, hopefully they will finish that soon. I enjoy the permanent collection and they do have new shows every now and again that keep it interesting.
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Oh dear.
Perhaps I should leave it at that. But no, any museum deserves more. And in that vein, most any museum or arts/culture exhibiting institution will probably garner a minimum of 3 stars from me... and SDMA shall earn no more.
I've visited this museum twice in a 5 year period, and both times I was equally disappointed. Worse, to an impromptu visitor (like myself the last time visited), it's nearly impossible to get quality information about what's on exhibit. I mean, really -- even as I asked the front desk personnel, all they could do was point me to a pathetically vague floor gallery legend, half of which was incomplete. I had to look up the museum's website on my phone outside the door to get better quality information... now that's really screwed.
A core exhibit of pre-20th Century European painting seems to make the lion's share of the museum's permanent collection on display. There are small sections of American (mostly 20th C. painting, decidedly UNabstract), and Asian artifacts.
Perhaps most telling about the nature of this museum, the epicenter of the downtown San Diego museum community, is the great excitement with which they promote an upcoming show of Annie Liebovitz that sends ripples across the El Prado museum corridor like it's the biggest thing to happen in a while.
Oh dear.
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Well for 7 bucks, or was it 6? maybe ten? this museum wasnt all that bad, i mean i visited the museum of natural history about a year ago and was VERY disappointed, but this finally vindicated this so-called park. Well i shouldnt be so harsh, the park was pretty nice, a great place to come and relax, walk about, and drink over priced slushies.
The museum wasnt bad, a few rembrants, a dali and some other not as popular artists but def enjoyable. This museum sorta had a mix of everything, 18-19th century stuff as well as some indian,asian stuff. Also they were running the annie leibovitz exhibit, and she was very good, although sometimes i feel with photography, depression is almost expected from all the photos, and this was on par. This museum was def worth the coin, and i cant wait to hit up next the contemp art museum in la jolla as well as the aquarium.
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Much smaller than I envisioned but nice overall. It had a nice O'Keefe show going on. It is under construction but even if those areas were open the museum would still be a lot smaller than I anticipated. Parking was a bit difficult but we found a space in a side lot that was no too far away.
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Went to see the Georgia O'Keefe exhibit. Due to construction, you enter the side, where the cafe is. $10 for entrance. 2 large halls and an upstairs with 4 rooms.
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