History Makes Sense at the Getty

Recently my daughter, a sophomore in high school, asked me a question regarding her current studies of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. I got my “wise fool” (the literal meaning of “sophomore”) in the car and drove to the Getty Museum in Malibu.

Upon arrival, she could instantly see why these two cultures were important. Viewing the Roman Villa which houses the Getty’s opulent Greek and Roman antiquities, her understanding of the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero crystallized when he said, "The enemy is within the gates; it is with our own luxury, our own folly, our own criminality that we have to contend." Rome, the strongest world power in its time imploded. Third world gangs knocked it over easily ushering in the Dark Ages.

The Getty collection adds insight into human nature as well as history. The museum's vast array of sculpture depicting ancient Greek gods shows how polytheism profoundly influenced the Greek philosophers. Greeks made Gods out of every emotion, passion, and natural element and surrendered their lives to them. Individual’s lives were directed by the god’s perceived favor or disfavor. This personal chaos caused the philosopher Aristotle to backlash by reasoning, "Happiness depends upon ourselves."

These treasures not only make history come alive, they help us understand ourselves. Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." Visiting the Getty gives time, space and beautiful surroundings to pause and examine life. Realizing we are part of a continuum of history and not an island unto ourselves can readjust our motives, thoughts, goals, and understanding of our world.

This knowledge is in our own back yard and can help connect the dots visually between ancient history, ancient thinking, and our present time. We can easily help our children connect those dots by visiting the Getty in Malibu, and hopefully help our children become more “wise” then “fool”.

Halloween Alternative at the Getty in Los Angeles

For those of you looking for an alternative to scary Halloween activities, the Getty is offering a "Family Art Stop" this weekend.  A gallery teacher greets and leads you to a family friendly art piece in the museum.  After you are led to a studio experience which focuses on the the art work just viewed. My family did this last summer. It is a fun, educational, and interesting experience. Sign up at the Museum Information Desk beginning at 1:30 p.m. for the 2:00 p.m. program and at 2:00 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. program on the day you'd like to participate. The program is geared for families with children ages 5 and up. click here for more information. The museum is free, however parking is $15.00. Happy Artsy Halloween!

Stories in the Afternoon: Autumn Colors at the Norton Simon Museum

At the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, get ready for changing leaves and crisp breezes as you listen to stories about the harvest season and create a fall foliage wreath in front of Georges Lacombe’s Autumn: Chestnut Gatherers, 1894. Sunday October 31, 2-3pm Admission for Adults is $8.00, free for under 18.
click here for more info

Free Day at the Huntington Library

Once a month the Huntington Library is Free!!  Click Here for Info  If you haven't been to this museum it is a must.  Among the notable artworks are those by John Constable, an 18th century English painter who is considered one of the greatest landscape painters of all time.

Celebrate your Inner Light at the San Diego Museum of Art

Enjoy cultural performances, an outdoor procession, lamp lighting, henna, varied cuisines of the Indian subcontinent and an array of vendors selling Indian goods at the third annual community Diwali Festival. The Museum’s galleries will be open late for visitors who wish to see an important collection of Indian miniature paintings and events will be held throughout the park in celebration of India’s Diwali holiday, which highlights the victory of good over evil.  click here for more info
$10 Individual, $15 Family

Breathtaking Landscapes at the Irvine Museum

 Some of the most breathtaking landscapes and seascapes EVER are at the Irvine Museum. Hurry because they leave October 23!! You can click here, click on "go to exhibit press release" to see a sampling of these incredible paintings.  This is a wonderful oppurtunity to see early California art for those of you with children who are studying California history.
Every Thursday at 11:15am, The Irvine Museum has a docent available to present an informative tour of the current exhibition. The tour is free and lasts about 20-30 minutes. No reservations required. Have fun and enjoy being inspired!!

Treasure Hunt at the Mingei! Sunday, October 31

For those of you who want to skip the usual Halloween festivites, the Mingei Museum in San Diego has a wonderful alternative.  On the last Sunday of each month, from noon to 4 pm, Mingei International Museum has the Discover Mingei Treasure Hunt.

Children and families can explore  colorful exhibitions of folk art, craft and design, and win a prize for completing the Treasure Hunt!
Special Community Sunday admission, from noon to 4 pm: $5/family, which is a great deal for a day of family fun.

See Artists in Action

Monday, October 11-Friday the 15th.  Plein Air Artists will be in and around Laguna Beach competing in the Laguna Beach Museums annual Plein Air Invitational.  This is a wonderful way for  kids to see actual artists at work, outside, and painting fine art in it's purist form. click here for more info  I highly recommend this experience for anyone who has children who love to paint.

Free Halloween Art Activities, October 10, Orange County Museum of Art

This Sunday October 10, Orange County Museum of Art is having a Goulfest!  Activities start at 11:00 am until 4:00pm. click here to see the schedule of events and times.  Families are invited to arrive in costume for this event so get your goul on and have fun!! This event is free!

If the School can't go to the Museum, Bring the Museum to the School!

Museums offer one , if not the best form of arts education and arts history education we have today.  We have a school system that systemically eliminates arts education programs, countered by a thriving museum community housing some of the greatest art works in the world.  Yet the two exist on different planes.  This discrepancy is ridiculous.  The schools don't have the funds to bring school children to museums, which leaves only one other option. The museums must come to the schools.  I am not suggesting that Getty bring their $75million dollar Irises by Van Gogh to the public schools.  But why not a poster while sending out art educators and curators from the museums to talk and educate the children.
My daughter is currently studying Greek and Roman philosophy in her history class.  There is absolutely no understanding this topic unless the art of that time is introduced also.  Unless the children can see the grandeur and understand these amazing cultures by their art and architecture, they will never care, understand or appreciate them. 
The museums must therefore make better efforts to reach out to the schools.  The teachers need to coordinate their curriculum with the museums and the museums need to make an effort to help these teachers bring their subject matter to life through their collections.  Only then can our students have a "well rounded education".