LA gets a bad rap for being all mindless fun with no substance. But there are quite a few cultural activities worth checking out in La La Land, including Bergamot Station.
Nestled deep in Santa Monica, away from the tourist scene by the pier, lies a complex of art galleries masquerading as industrial buildings. Opened in 1994, the complex hosts a café, numerous private galleries, the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMOA), and even a beauty salon.
Hands down, the museum was my favorite stop. Glimpsing the spider-printed ceramic ware, the bright red roasted pepper cans, and the Jesus boxes as I sauntered in made me skeptical about forking over the $5 suggested donation. (While some places have a “suggested donation” that’s actually mandatory, here they mean it when they say suggested donation. So just give what you can.)
But in the end, I felt SMMOA was worth my $5. Unlike the typical museum, it’s small, interactive, and showcases relatively unknown artists. There’s no permanent collection, and exhibits are regularly rotated. I was lucky enough to catch “Strange New World: Art & Design from Tijuana,” on now through April 7.
Amongst the exhibit’s 50 or so works are portraits, paintings, videos, a photo collage, and my personal favorite – a muffler sculpture. That’s right, a sculpture made of old car mufflers. Apparently, roadside sculptures called monos mofle (muffler men), made of used car parts, are all the rage in the Mexican border area. Pretty darn creative!
After my hour-long visit to the museum, I stopped in at the Gallery of Functional Art across the way. One can’t miss item is the ukulele that has a small video screen featuring a strange couple in Hawaiian dress as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s "Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World” plays in the background. I’m not sure how this could be considered “functional art”, but it’s certainly avant-garde.
If you have the time, check out the William Turner Gallery that is currently featuring artist Jeanine Breaker’s works. This is the kind of place I imagine when I think of a modern art gallery. With only a dozen pieces, the gallery feels huge with its high ceilings, white walls, and polished concrete floor.
Try to spot Breaker’s characteristic tiny figure performing a circus act amidst what appears to be burning trees or a snowy landscape, depending on the work. I’m not going to try to describe them in any more depth here because I don’t want to take the “picture is worth a 1000 words” saying too literally.
To get the most out of your visit, skip Sunday or Monday since the museum and many of the galleries are closed these days. And if you’re hankering for a sandwich or salad after all this art appreciation, try the Bergamot Café where you’ll find ubiquitous outdoor seating.
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Getting There:
- Head toward Santa Monica on the 10 Freeway
- Turn off at the Cloverfield Exit
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