Perched on the hill above Brentwood in Los Angeles the white citadel designed by American architect Richard Meier (*1934) is an architectural gem that invites us in to see, to feel, to observe, to absorb, to touch, to lounge, to learn….I cannot imagine that one would not feel happy on that breezy hill dotted by traventine-clad buildings. It tempts you to touch them and you are surprised by the warm rough pleasant feeling. One has to admire the romantic vistas – the white against the blue sky, the curvilinear line and the straight sharp angles…Then the sound of water becoming your day companion along with joyous squeeks of children and hum of debating guest all wide-eyed and at easy, all paying homage to our own genius lent to the chosen ones whose diligence, vision and perseverance delivered us many uprecedented gifts to enjoy.
Getty Center bousts by several galleries just big enough not to leave you tired. Each gallery will spill you again to the courtyard only to entice you to the different wing to see …let us say a da Vinci (1452 – 1519) exhibit… What a genius mind! His art talent complemented by his intellect, the scientific talent complements the inclination to the letters and music – all in this one Renaissance genius…to see his drawings and backwards hand written notes one feels to be in the right company for inspiration, admiration, and love for our fellow men: The current ones or the ones from our rich history who made a difference and left us wonder! And I think – let us delve into the beauty of our achievements and let’s cure our ailments with good will and a common goals: to live in harmony and to strive for perfection.
Trips such is this always leaves me and my students inspired. Just to see the wonder of building as Getty is, to see paintings of van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, J.J. David, Ingres – all of the well-known images and those you see for the first time – it makes you you feel good…and one wonders, why? Well, I guess, that what art does. It awakens in us the music played by the inner strings gently wrapped around our soul (soul?!?) and if our soul is tickled by the vibration of gentle music – we are in heaven!
