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Los Angeles modern & Japanese pop art museums! The Broad LA contemporary, Deitch Gallery, Hajime Sorayama robots.
Remember when we could go out freely, and visit art museums with friends? Those were the days… I’ll never take this simple joy for granted again!
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying my ongoing stories of pre-pandemic travels. Let’s keep on reminiscing about sunnier times, as we go through this odd moment in history.
In January 2020, I arrived in Los Angeles with photographer Joey Wong. We spent a day getting inspired at The Broad Museum, a hip collection of contemporary art that includes phenomenal Japanese pop paintings.
I also swung by the Jeffrey Deitch gallery to see “Tokyo Pop Underground.” This exhibition brought together eccentric works by Japanese artists including Hajime Sorayama — maestro of sexy robots, as you’ll see!
Both the Broad LA and Deitsch Gallery are free to the public. When they’re open again (post-COVID), I hope you’ll take the opportunity to experience them.
I also wanted to share some “cheerio” news… I’m on the front page of Metro UK Newspaper, Travel section (May 4th edition)!
The United Kingdom’s highest-circulating paper interviewed me about my favorite insider Vancouver spots. I recommended the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Chinese gardens, and Twin Peaks themed restaurant (read more about this Lynchian venue). Come visit once our borders open again.
Now, let’s teleport back in time to LA. This fashion shoot with Joey Wong turned out to be my last one before the coronavirus locked me down.
Art museum outfit details: Sheer panel top by Goth boutique Creatures Montreal. Leather miniskirt Jeremy Scott. Polkadot head scarf Lola Ramona. Sunglasses Edwardson Eyewear. Bracelets Hermes and Bulgari.
I adore the space-age Gothic look of my Alexander McQueen mini bag. See more skull purses by McQueen below:
A close-up on my current favorite rings. The dream of the 1990s is alive on my fingers…
In love with my new black diamond and diamonds flower-power ring! The Cosmic Escape alien ring is by Alina Abegg. Find it here, and browse more of her aliens jewelry below.
Before heading into The Broad for our reserved ticket time-slot, we snapped some photos next door at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
(Short polka dot skirt by Jeremy Scott, and leather platform ankle boots by Acne Studios.)
Designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 2003, the Walt Disney Concert Hall has a design that resembles a musical organ.
(Downtown LA has plenty of space-y architecture. We also went into the Bradbury / Blade Runner building; see photos here.)
As an architecture buff, I simply had to stop by Disney Music Hall to admire Gehry’s curving, stainless steel panels. Poke around the exterior walkways, and you’ll find spaceship-like reflective walls that are perfect for fashion photography.
I didn’t go inside the concert hall that day; it’s the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Master Chorale. When the doors can open again, I’d love to see a performance here.
We walked back to The Broad, and took some shots against the minimalist-modern facade. Opened in 2015, the art museum immediately became a downtown LA landmark, thanks to its white honeycomb design.
The veil-like exterior is cleverly designed to let sunlight into the museum.
Important note about tickets: While admission to The Broad Museum is free, you do have to reserve a time slot in advance, via their website. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as the spots can sell out. (There may also be an extra charge for some special exhibitions and events.)
You can alternately show up and stand in line, but you may end up waiting a long time, so I urge you to book a free reserved ticket online. (Parking is available in the garage, at a steep $17 US for 3 hours.)
Founded by Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum collection has around 2000 contemporary art pieces by about 200 artists (from 1960 to today). The Broad’s interior is spacious, with tall ceilings and large white walls, forming the perfect setting for giant works.
Visitors can see quirky masterpieces by American artists like Jeff Koons. On the left is his Balloon Dog and Rabbit, and on the right is his Michael Jackson and Bubbles the monkey statue.
American pop art and photography take center stage at the Broad. You’ll find stunning pieces by Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. Above, I’m dwarfed by the “Blue Red” of Ellsworth Kelly.
The works span a variety of sizes, styles, and media. Two of my favorites: Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Gold Griot” (acrylic and oilstick on wood), in his signature Neo-Expressionist style. And Jeff Koons “Tulips,” a rainbow bouquet of mirrored stainless steel.
I was glad to discover works by women of diverse backgrounds, at The Broad. I’m standing in front of unnerving silhouettes by Kara Walker, which capture the painful memories of slavery in the plantation-era South.
The Broad contains more than just American pop art. Japan packs a “kawaii” punch with multiple works by Takashi Murakami. I smiled when I saw his characters Kaikai and Kiki, frolicking amidst smiley flowers.
Staring down Murakami’s “Black Daruma.” The artist brings an anime sensibility to Japanese folklore — in this case, the lucky daruma doll based on Zen founder Bodhidharma.
I’ve never seen skulls so cute or colorful. (You can see more of Takashi Murakami’s works here; I covered his exhibit in Vancouver.)
For those who love dynamic contemporary art, LA’s The Broad museum is as good as it gets. Very happy I finally got to visit.
LA has a good number of art galleries and museum that are free to the public at all times.
One of the most progressive art spaces is the Jeffrey Deitch, located in West Hollywood. The open, industrial gallery features rotating themed exhibits; I made it in time to see “Tokyo Pop Underground.”
Is Hello Kitty art? Hell yes, if you ask me!
Deitch LA brought together works by 17 innovative Japanese artists, working from 1960 to today. The gallery was filled with subversive pop culture, with an emphasis on all things cute and freaky.
“You’re wondering who I am… Machine or mannequin… With parts made in Japan — (Secret, secret, I’ve got a secret).”
Although I was impressed by all the Japanese artists, I was floored to see the fabulous fem-bots of Hajime Sorayama!
Love how the gallery displayed his feminized, biomechanoid robots. This looks like a scene from a science fiction movie… I was half-expecting one of the android ladies to burst through the glass.
The cold, curvy robots are 100% heavy metal. Hail Hajime Sorayama. (Google his name to see more of his erotic robot works; they’re a trip.)
Keiichi Tanaami’s laughing spider also caught my eye. In the back, his psychedelic collages are a mashup of geishas, monsters, spaceships…
The Deitch LA puts together fascinating shows with themes like “All of Them Witches” and “Ai Weiwei Zodiac.” Til next time.
For more modernity, you can also visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in downtown LA. (That is, once a certain virus is under control…)
Such a simple outing — going to free museums in LA, and posing for photos — isn’t even a possibility right now. 2020 has made me realize to the bones that we should never put off doing the things we enjoy.
Thanks to Joey Wong for the fab photography — hope we can shoot again soon, and get closer than 2 meters / 6 feet from each other!
(Close-up on my silver croco skull bag by Alexander McQueen. Browse more below):
And a wave goodbye, with my go-to rings. The silver and peridot alien pinky ring is by Alina Abegg; get one here, and discover more of her space, planets and aliens designs below.
Always looking ahead to a future filled with spaceships and stars. Take care of yourselves and keep dreaming, my friends.
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2019 Travel & Culture blog year in review! Best of moments, looking back at favorite destinations & what’s ahead.
Can’t believe it is already time to say farewell to 2019!
I didn’t get to try space travel or meet aliens this year… but still, a lot of good things have come about (My hair grew like a weed too…)
Let’s kiss the year goodbye, with a look back at some of this year’s best blogging moments and travel destinations.
Did you miss out on some of my stories, such as from New Orleans, Salem, and Cairo? If so, they’re all here — along with a selection of favorite outfits of 2019.
Here’s a holiday party coordinate to wrap up the end of the year. I’m wearing a bat sweater by Jawbreaker Clothing, barrette by Sylvain Le Hen Hairdesignaccess, skirt by Erbert Chong, necklaces Stephen Einhorn. And I’m carrying my new favorite bag…
I was too naughty for Santa this year… but Satan’s got my back! I’ve drooled over Alexander McQueen’s Goth couture for decades, but never owned one of his skull purses until now.
This new season Alexander McQueen mini-bag is space goth perfection — feel so lucky to be blessed by Satan/Santa! Love the silver crocodile leather, silver crossbody chain, and skull clasp with glimmering crystal eyes.
Here’s a look at the full Xmas party outfit. Goth-ing around the Christmas tree… (Snakeskin platform high heel ankle boots by Acne Studios).
Details of the silver croc leather and skulls design, and fold-over flap with magnetic closure. The small rectangular shoulder bag is compact, yet large enough to hold essentials.
Peep at this Gothic designer purse below, along with more Alexander McQueen creations.
My friends Melissa and Eric also got me a holographic alien backpack –– it’s my favorite emoji, along with the purple devil. Perfect for carrying around my blaster gun.
My leather polka-dot mini skirt is by Jeremy Scott. It happens to match my head scarf from Lola Ramona.
Alright. Time to reflect on the year gone by. As a travel writer, I’m not a “country counter” — meaning that I don’t go out of my way to visit as many countries as possible, for the sake of numbers.
However, I came across an online checklist and was curious about how many places I’ve visited… To my surprise, I’ve hit 70 countries on 6 continents! (Haven’t made it to Antarctica yet.)
This year, I went to places old and new, with a focus on culture — both ancient and modern. (Click the city names to see all my stories from each destination.)
I made it back to Paris, France at the start of the year, and covered the spookiest, most Gothic attractions in the city. The Catacombs filled with skulls, classic absinthe bar Cantada II, and Pere Lachaise cemetery lit up my dark heart.
I returned to Africa for the third time — for glorious Egypt, land of Cleopatra and mummies! Who better to explore the pyramids with than Yukiro?
Travel Talk Tours took us all around Egypt, including to Cairo, Giza (the Sphinx!), Luxor, Aswan, Dahab, and on the River Nile. We floated up above the desert in a hot air balloon, and sailed on the waters in a felucca.
As travelers who adore mysterious ancient cultures, Egypt was everything and more. The art and culture are out of this world, and it was a privilege to be standing on the sand where human civilization began.
We also hopped over to Beirut, Lebanon — and you can tell we had a blast in this creative, party city. Yukiro and I were enthralled by the hip art studios, Lebanese restaurants, and inclusive LGBT+ clubs and hangouts. I want to go back soon to see more.
I did some traveling in Canada as well. Mermaid vibes at Grotto Spa in Parksville on Vancouver Island, where I had a much-needed beach and wellness getaway.
In the spring / summer, I said bonjour to Quebec City— one of my favorite eating destinations of 2019. Still thinking about those fresh French cheeses, scones and more at the Chez Muffy buffet…
I also ate like a queen in Montreal, and dived into the city’s progressive art and nightlife. These adventures included a rave in a pyramid, and virtual reality exhibition.
A few new and unexpected opportunities arose in 2019. Blumhouse Productions and USA Network sent me to New Orleans to report on The Purge TV show — and appear in the horror series’ finale! I had a bit too much fun being a “scream queen” and trying on the crazy Purge masks.
Then, I teleported to Boston where I stayed in a robot hotel, and hung out with skull gravestones and Edgar Allan Poe. My Goth guide to Boston, MA is live if you missed it.
Witch biaattccch! How could I resist going to Salem, Massachusetts right before Halloween? My Goth guide to the town’s witch trials history and haunted happenings was one of the most popular blogs I wrote this year.
Quite a different atmosphere from the winter wonderland of Banff, Alberta — where I stayed in the haunted Fairmont Hotel.
In October, it was a dark dream come true to be in Mexico for Day of the Dead, with Morbid Anatomy / Borderline Projects. I wore sugar skull makeup and posed in front of the “devil house” in Merida, MX.
Dazzled by the Dia de los Muertos rituals I witnessed during my cultural journey in the Yucatan. I still have so much to share from this trip, so you can look forward to wild stories in the new year.
I also visited Mexico City for the first time. So. Many. Skulls! Can’t wait to show you more from CDMX, a metropolis full of alternative culture (including a witch market).
So, what’s next for 2020? In the first week of January, I’m escaping somewhere warm… Palm Springs and Los Angeles, California!
Excited to see my long-time friends, and visit Joshua Tree and Palm Springs for the first time. If you have Cali tips for me, I’m all ears.
I’m heading to NYC in February, and then I have an extremely exciting journey in spring 2020… it’s once again in partnership with Travel Talk Tours, who sent me to Egypt. Details to come — let’s just say the photos will be fab.
In addition to these travel blog projects, I did a fair bit of journalism and project managing in 2019. I’ve been writing for various publications, such as Home in Canada (above – national print magazine). I also was a project manager for Google’s Touring Bird, where I managed hundreds of travel writers, and wrote over 666 insider travel tips. Looking forward to more of this in 2020.
And that’s all she wrote for 2019. See you in the future… perhaps the aliens will finally come to take me away…
How was your past year in travel and growth? (Hair or otherwise!)
LA CARMINA
