It once seemed like a herculean, if not insurmountable, challenge – raising $600 million or more for an ambitious modernist building to serve as the new home for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Skeptics abounded when plans were first announced three years ago. But momentum now seems to be shifting in LACMA's favor with the announcement this week of two major donations that will push the fundraising campaign near the halfway point.
— Los Angeles Times
The donations together amount to the largest the museum has ever received. Elaine Wynn, a major collector and co-chair of the museum, pledged $50 million. Former Univision chairman A. Jerrold Perenchio has promised to give $25 million for the project.
Both donations hinge on the successful launch of the Zumthor project, which will begin environmental review in a few months. Construction would begin in 2018 and conclude in 2023 if everything goes according to plan.
For more episodes from the saga of the Zumthor-LACMA project, check out these links:
5 Comments
I like the top image. The plaza below seems like it could be a nice space unless the museum security kills the public feel. I'm not expecting to be blown away by the interior, but it should be pretty good. Kinda feels more like a SANNA than a Zumthor...
The design feels like it relies too much on the existence of the high-rise tower in the back.
Can't wait for the DS+R extension
I really like the way the design has evolved over time, from something very amoebic, to a mass with definition. I'm still not sure how it'll work as a gallery, but that seems to be a secondary consideration in gallery design these days.
most of Zumthors work is great - this is wack, seems like he is trying to do some new age blobby digital shit and failing miserably. the way the building crosses Wilshire, dips into a transitional zone between a residential neighborhood with apartments and homes is silly. Imagine approaching that building from 8th street...lame-o. Ruscha is going to have to re-create his painting of LACMA on fire.
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