Elected officials and Hollywood stars met in The Broad on Wednesday, April 9 to celebrate the inauguration of an $ 100 million expansion project scheduled before the start of the 2028 summer Olympic Games.
Joanne Heyler, founding director and president of the Broad, and PhilanthropE Edythe Broad, co-founder of the museum, welcomed civilian, cultural and commercial leaders on the adjacent construction site at the museum overlooking the Grande Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.
The project will erect a 55,000 square feet building which will be attached to the existing museum via an entrance to the third floor, leading to an outdoor courtyard.
The architects of the original building, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, designed the expansion with a concept “Veil and Vault”, which they introduced in 2015. The new building will have the “veil” in a honeycomb from the museum inside and wrapped by the storage of “Vault” art, its sculptural gray nucleus, outside – so the two buildings will be a mirror.
“I consider these buildings as brothers and sisters, not clones, with a shared DNA expressing unique characteristics that improve the experience of the visitor of the pair,” said Elizabeth Diller, Diller Scofidio + Remo, in a press release.
According to the museum officials, the project symbolically draws the safe of the veil and opens it to the public, strengthening the museum’s mission to reach the widest possible public.
“It was wonderful to see so many people enjoy art in the Broad,” Broad said in a statement. “He succeeded beyond my wildest dreams of Eli and Eli. The expansion of the museum reflects our belief in the importance of art as a resource for everyone and in the Eli vision and I have shared for Los Angeles as the capital of world art. ”
The museum has proven to be so popular that attendance is four times the original estimates, attracting 6.3 million visitors to date.
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L to r; Dominic NG, CEO of East West Bank, Jane Fonda, Edythe Broad and Joanne Heyler, President of Broad, Pose For Photos At The Ground Breaking For The New Adjout To The Broad Museum. The expansion will add 55,000 square feet of new constructions at the rear of the museum complex, to an unused area overlooking Hope Street. Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which designed the building of the original museum, will strengthen the expansion. The existing structure of the 2nd Street and Grand Avenue, described as the “veil and the safe”, with a white honeycomb exterior wrapping a sculpted gray nucleus, would have returned for expansion, which is shown with a concrete exterior. (Photo of David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
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L to r; Dominic NG, CEO of East West Bank, Jane Fonda, Edythe Broad and Joanne Heyler, President of Broad, Pose For Photos At The Ground Breaking For The New Adjout To The Broad Museum. The expansion will add 55,000 square feet of new constructions at the rear of the museum complex, to an unused area overlooking Hope Street. Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which designed the building of the original museum, will strengthen the expansion. The existing structure of the 2nd Street and Grand Avenue, described as the “veil and the safe”, with a white honeycomb exterior wrapping a sculpted gray nucleus, would have returned for expansion, which is shown with a concrete exterior. (Photo of David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
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The original building opened its doors in 2015 and the expansion should provide around 70% additional gallery space.
It will also establish an innovative art storage gallery, providing access in areas traditionally kept out of sight.
The general entrance to the extended museum will remain free.
“This new building is strengthening a fundamental belief in access to art that guided the Broad approach during our first decade, expands the dynamic experience that visitors appreciate today and introduces ways in a whole new way for people to engage with the collection,” Heyler said in a press release.
“The design uses the visual language of the vault to create a public space, a gesture that aligns with the institutional ethics of the large one in the way museums welcome the public,” continued Heyler.
The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, the supervisor of the county of Hilda Solis and the advisor Hilda Solis were among the present dignitaries. More than 170 guests joined, such as actress Jane Fonda, artist Patrick Martinez and Danielle Brazell from California Arts Council.
“While Los Angeles is preparing to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there is no better time to celebrate the launch of the wide expansion,” said Bass.
The mayor noted that millions of additional visitors and Angelenos will be able to discover everything that the sea has to offer, and he will cement more as an international hub for arts and culture.
The Council of Supervisors of the Comté de la officially created the cultural district of Grand Avenue, which aims to increase the awareness of the corridor of the arts of Grand Avenue and to encourage visitors in the region.
Museum officials noted that her future outdoor square will be appointed in honor of the Solis supervisor, which she described as an honor.
“It is a really humiliating gesture, and I am delighted to see how this space will become a cornerstone of the connection and the community,” said Solis in a press release. “I am proud to have introduced the motion to recognize the cultural district of Grand Avenue, which will improve the visibility and vitality of the arts to shape the cultural identity and the economic dynamism of the community, supported by institutions like The Broad.”
The construction started while the Broad celebrates its 10th anniversary. The museum welcomes nearly a million visitors per year.
In March, the museum saw its greatest attendance of a day in history, welcoming more than 6,800 visitors.
As part of the celebration, Dominic NG, CEO of the eastern West Bank based in Los Angeles, made a major commitment, extending its partnership until 2037. As the first partner of the museum since 2017, the eastern West Bank supports the live programs of Broad, collection exhibitions and education programs for children and adolescents.
“In Edythe, Joanne and all the broad team – Thank you for your vision and for making Los Angeles a truly inspiring center for art and culture. We are honored to travel this path with you and we are looking forward to what is ahead,” NG said in a press release.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
