You can add the de Young Museum in San Francisco to the list of my favourite art museums. (I know, the list is getting longer, and longer.) Here are some of the reasons why you should visit it…
Location: Golden Gate Park. Home to other museums, speciality gardens, an historical carousel and much more, Golden Gate Park‘s western border is the Pacific Ocean. Need I say more? One could spend days enjoying the park.
Japanese Garden, Golden Gate Park image by Terry Vatrt
image by Terry Vatrt
Architecture The museum is gorgeous, covered in varying textured metal sheathing. The current building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron (Switzerland) and Fong & Chan (San Francisco) Architects was opened on October 15, 2005.
de Young Museum (Terry Vatrt image)
exterior: de Young Museum image by Terry Vatrt
exterior: de Young Museum image by Terry Vatrt
exterior: de Young Museum image by Terry Vatrt
Sculpture Garden It’s always a bonus to have a sculpture garden as part of an art museum. To discover a permanent Turell installation as part of the sculpture garden is, for me, a gift.
Tunnel to Three Gems, James Turrell (image by Terry Vatrt)
Three Gems, James Turrell (image by Terry Vatrt)
Three Gems, James Turrell (image by Terry Vatrt)
Three Gems, James Turrell (image by Terry Vatrt)
View The Hamon Tower Observation Deck offers a 360 degree view of San Francisco in all its splendour.
de Young Museum (SF Chronicle image)
de Young Museum (LA Magazine image)
Gift Shop/Book Store There are two floors of great shopping; I ran out of time.
Cafeteria Lots of food choices, but best of all: indoor and outdoor seating looking onto the Sculpture Garden.
de Young Museum (Terry Vatrt image)
The Art! The museum was founded in 1895, and has a vast collection. I saw some great work, which will provide abundant material for future postings.
Ruth Asawa hanging (Terry Vatrt image)