Hammer Museum

Doesn't Recommend

Beth J.

Joined 1 year ago

Selective Harassment by Security against African-Amer. males. I wish I can say I had a positive experience at this museum, BUT I DIDN’T. The exhibits were fine enough; I love French Impressionist Art so I enjoyed the Hammer Collection. HOWEVER, the security obviously employed a selective process of monitoring people based on race, specifically, selective against black male patrons. During our visit, the Security Manager, cut across the room, 15 feet away, to tell my husband that he was too close to the frames, passing a sea of white people, some of whom were actually touching the paintings. Then I personally witnessed a “junior” security guard tell another African American man that that he was too close to the painting . I looked around and saw a sea of people, non-African Americans, including me, standing as close, if not closer, to the paintings. When I addressed this issue with management, they apologized profusely and said they will look into the matter. The “junior security guard who happened to be close by and heard our grievance, defended his actions. He said he saw what his supervisor did, and was the one who warned the other African-American man because his supervisor was standing right by him, and he felt pressured to say something. He said it was not racially motivated. Lack of time prevented me from arguing with him, but I did ask him, why was it that he chose to warn that man, and not the others who, from my vantage point, were just as close to the paintings. He just repeated that it was not racially motivated. For people who believe that we live in a racially neutral world given the race of this nation’s president, please stop to think: Did I just so easily offend or inconvenience or show a lack of consideration, or ignore another (in short, disrespect) because s/he is black or brown, or is the “other”. Would I as easily dismiss this person if he looked like Ron Paul If you totally don’t know what I am talking about, read Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” and get a clue. And to the Hammer museum, do use guard ropes to prevent all patrons from getting too close. This will minimize your security company’s policy of selective harassment. and have them join the 21st century.

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Mar Yvette

Joined 6 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Instead of donating his $400 million art collection to the county institution, oil baron Armand Hammer decided to establish his own museum of art and culture in Westwood. Four years later in 1994, UCLA took over management using the space (designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes) as a gateway--both physically and figuratively--between the city of Los Angeles and the esteemed university. Since then, the museum has become a popular attraction with a rotating selection of contemporary art as well as impressionist and post-impressionist paintings from Hammer's collection. These include works by Manet, Monet, Pissarro, Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Gogh, plus sculpture and lithographs by Honore Daumier. As a cultural center, the museum offers a variety of activities such as lectures, symposia, films, readings and musical concerts.

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jwpraus

Joined 4 years ago

Noteworthy. Nestled in the quaint section of Westwood, Los Angeles near the UCLA campus is this contempory museum the "Hammer". I enjoyed my experience here. I believe there was four different display areas with various art mediums. Rotating selections of paintings, architectural models, sculptures and video at the time that I visited. I was disappointed a bit in the lack of energy surrounding the museum, too little people and not much of a court yard cafe'. If I remember correctly there was validated parking. Hammer has obtained an impressive collection.

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manoble

Joined 5 years ago

Header: wonderful both inside and outside. This smaller, less known museum holds a marvelous permanent collection and over the years had held some of the more interesting exhibitions I ever saw. I love the architecture of the building, and the lovely courtyard. Unlike most museum shops that offer very pretty but very pricy pretty things, the Hammer?s store has an impressively comprehensive collection of books.

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jhoolko

Joined 6 years ago

Great small museum in the heart of Westwood. I love the Hammer for its size, and because it's always free for UCLA students (it's free for everyone on Thursdays). I got hooked after their Societe Anonyme exhibition and have been going back ever since whenever I need a quick culture fix. The permanent collection houses some surprisingly impressive pieces, and the smaller size of the museum makes it a pleasantly manageable activity. There's always a great installation in the lobby, and one of my favorite parts of the whole place is the gift shop, which has a dazzling array of great books and beautiful gifts. They also play host to great speakers and the Billy Wilder Theatre shows a number of preview screenings and old classics. If parking's got you down, there's a lot about two blocks away on Broxton that allows two free hours of parking if you enter before 6:01 pm.

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juju13es

Joined 6 years ago

great for an outing in Westwood. Being a UCLA student, I wish I took more advantage of this museum (especially since we have free admission). I've only been there twice, once recently for the Hammer Contemporary Collection. Both times I visited, the exhibits were collections of contemporary pieces. I always check their website and their schedule, because they have interesting guest lectures (Hammer Conversations) with renown speakers...

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cutiekatie

Joined 7 years ago

Great location, good exhibits, lectures. The Hammer is great for UCLA students. Not the best museum in LA, but I've seen a few interesting lectures and some really great installation pieces here.

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cambird

Joined 7 years ago

Great museum!. Second to the Getty, this is my favorite L.A. museum, primarily because it's free for students. There are often great galleries, lectures (I saw Oliver Stone awhile back) and other events in the quaint courtyard. The permanent collection is impressive too. My suggestion: start your morning out here and then drift a few miles west to the Getty.

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slhslh

Joined 9 years ago

No hassles. I love visiting the UCLA Hammer Museum. It's doesn't have any of the long lines and parking hassle that sometimes happens at other LA museums. Instead, this place has world renowned art by top artists. The lecture and film series offer thought provoking topics that are again at low cost. The last time I went to the museum I had lunch in Westwood afterwards making for a perfect outing.

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ClaudineToo

Joined 11 years ago

Great Exhibits. Who woulda thought? A modern museum with innovative exhibits in the middle of Westwood. A great cultural fix for Westsiders. Though the permanent collection is nothing great, the curators pull together great exhibits of emerging artists.