Staycations III – Why Go Far From Home?
By Pasadena Independent
Published: Thursday, August 20th, 2009
In the first two installments of this series we covered a road trip to the high desert (the William S. Hart Ranch and Aqua Dulce Winery) and another to Exposition Park (specifically, the museums there). But there is no need to go that far from home when Pasadena has so many interesting destinations.
Perhaps one of the best known is the Norton Simon Museum; seen worldwide on New Year’s Day as a backdrop for the Rose Parade; but have you ever ventured inside? It’s one of the best art museums around.
The industrialist Norton Simon collected art for more than 30 years. Some of the European Art dates back to the Renaissance and continues through the 20th century along with a large collection of South and Southeast Asian Art, some of which is over 2000 years old. There are pieces from Raphael, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Degas (one of my favorites), and Pablo Picasso. Highlights from the Asian collection include the bronze sculptures Buddha and Shiva as King of Dance, c. 1000, India; Tamil Nadu and the gilt bronze Indra, 13th century, Nepal.
In 1974, The Pasadena Museum of Art was turned into the Norton Simon Museum and became the home of his collection. The collection includes Asian Art on the lower level, and on the main level 14th century through modern Western Art, a sculpture garden and rotating exhibits. Currently, the rotating exhibits include recent donation to the Norton Simon Museum and “Sweets and Treats” – the art of Wayne Thiebaud.
411 W. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (626) 449-6840
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 noon – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Adults: $8.00
Seniors (ages 62 and above): $4.00
Patrons aged 18 & under and students with valid ID: Free
Acoustiguide Audio Tour $3.00 per unit
Admission is free the first Friday of every month from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Parking is free at the Museum. No reservations are necessary.
If you were impressed by the Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, the Pacific Asia Museum is a must-visit. The objects in this collection span over 5,000 years. For a sampling of some of the more than 14,000 objects check out their web site at www.pacificasiamuseum.org. The collection includes the art not only of China, Japan, and Korea, but also of the Pacific Islands.
Prominent among these are the Harari Collection of Japanese paintings and drawings from the Edo period (1600-1868); significant holdings in Chinese ceramics and textiles; one of the largest collections of Japanese folk paintings outside Japan; a South Pacific tapa (bark cloth) collection; the Lydman and Snukal Collections of Chinese ceramics; Southeast Asian Ceramics from the Collection of Margot and Hans Ries; a fine collection of Buddhist art from throughout Asia; and the complete prints of Paul Jacoulet. The museum has recently re-installed its Chinese decorative arts and Japanese galleries.
One of the nice things about this museum is that it has special programs for children. One of these is “Journeys: the Silk Road,” a fun hands-on exploration of the legendary Silk Road. The kids can dress up as a trader, monk, camel handler, dancer, artisan or silk maker, plan a journey on the maps, relax in a tent, touch real silkworm cocoons, and more. There is also the Silk Road Storytime on the first Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. On the second Saturday of every month at 11:00 a.m. there is a docent-led tour of collection highlights in a family-friendly format. Best for ages four and up, adult participation required. Free, but reservations are required for this tour; call (626) 449-2742 ext. 31. At the Admissions Desk families can pick up a guide to all the animals at the museum. It helps to explain the significance of all the animals in the artwork.
The museum’s historic building has served as a center for art, culture and learning in Pasadena since its construction in 1924 by pioneering collector and entrepreneur Grace Nicholson (1877-1948). It was her residence and has now been turned into the galleries and Treasure House/emporium.
The museum also features a beautiful garden complete with limestone Taihu Rocks, dragon carvings, stone carved “foo dogs” and a lotus pond with koi. It is a wonderful restful sanctuary in the center of Pasadena.
46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena (626) 449-2742 ext. 35
$9 for General Admission
$7 for Students and Seniors
Free for Children Ages 11 and Under
Free to All Visitors on the Fourth Friday of the Month
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free parking is available in the Pacific Asia Museum parking lot on the corner of Los Robles Avenue and Union Street, directly north of the museum.
Admission is free to all visitors on the fourth Friday of each month.
When the Norton Simon collection moved into its current location it replaced the Pasadena Art Museum. However, a contingent of the former board members of that museum refused to let it die and fought to continue its educational work. For several years they continued the work at various locations throughout Pasadena as the Pasadena Art Workshops. In 1989 the organization acquired the former National Guard Armory in Old Pasadena and became The Armory Center for the Arts. The principal galleries are located at the Armory itself. Currently the Caldwell Gallery has an exhibit titled “Drama of the Gifted Child” featuring the work of ten emerging artists from Los Angeles.
The Community Room Gallery has a collection of art by the children and adults of Villa Esperanza which provides programs for people with developmental disabilities. The Mezzanine Gallery has the work of Michael Markowsky, a Pasadena landscape artist. The exhibits change on a regular basis and the best way to check what is happening at the Armory is to check their web site at www.armoryart.org.
The Armory is located at 145 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena. (626)792-5101.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Sunday. Noon to 5 p.m.
There is no charge, but donations are requested.
Parking is available in the city parking structure just north of the Armory on Raymond Ave, offers 90 minutes free parking.
In addition, the Center supports an artist in residence at the Artist’s Studio at One Colorado. The current artist is Jennifer Vanderpool, a Los Angeles based artist who works with experimental film, video, animation, etc. The studio is open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon-8:00 p.m, and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. The space is located in the walkway behind Il Fornaio and next to J.Crew at One Colorado, located between Fair Oaks, Colorado Boulevard, Union Street, and Delacey in Old Pasadena.
Also at One Colorado is the outdoor exhibit, “A Rainbow in the Sky,” an installation consisting of over 2,000 colorful flags by Daniel Buren. Buren’s work consists of thousands of colorful striped flags suspended over the pedestrian square. The installation is free and open to the public. According to the designed the exhibit was “created especially for the elegant architectural space and will introduce a rainbow of color, with the flags like an open ‘ceiling’ over visitors’ heads. The flags will flutter in a multitude of colors, casting thousands of moving shadows on viewers below.”
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Nice post about the parking lot striping . i was looking for such post. thanks for the posting.