Lara M.
Yelp
The grand re-opening of the AKG after it's massive expansion has been highly anticipated not just by me, but by the whole city. I know there has been a lot of controversy in terms of what people thing of the new buildings, with it's modern design and all glass walls- but I have to say, i am a HUGE fan.
The space has more than doubled, so there is more work on display now than there ever has been. The new areas are so gorgeous, and the way they built it is identical to the big museums in NYC. When you walk through the large new galleries, you feel like you are at the Met or the Whitney. We have been waiting to have fine art taken this seriously for a long time, and finally there is a building suitable for it.
I walked every inch of the museum on my last trip and was floored by all the work on display. My favorite section was in a previous gallery off the main sculpture hall- it was full of drawings and paintings about migrant fruit pickers, and they were all created on fruit boxes. It was brilliant and powerful. They are always sure to display contemporary work alongside permanent collection items, and always find a way to make them relate to one another.
I was sad to see the Sol Lewitt drawing go- that was a tragedy.
But the good outweighed the bad, or rather, the improvements are worth the things that have changed and are gone. I love the new atrium, and their new store, but I do miss the old main gallery. This is just an adjustment that will take time
I admit, I have a membership so my parking costs are less, however- even with the membership, the parking fees are OUTRAGEOUS! This makes it difficult for any family to go to the museum. The costs are simply too high to take a family of four, park, etc. I have a single membership since I cannot justify the expense to make it a family membership at this time, but honestly, the parking fees are my only complaint!
If you have not gone, you simply MUST. Even if you are not an "art fan" per se, the architecture, layout, and new amenities (cafe, restaurant, shop, etc) are worth looking at at least once.