U.C.L.A. Sculpture Garden

Today's post is late because I'm moving. Tomorrow they are coming with a big truck and taking everything besides me and the cat and the vacuum cleaner (which is totally unfair to the cat because that's about the only thing we have that he absolutely HATES). Later this week we will be reunited with the DH and all of our stuff in our new home a couple hundred miles north of here.

But before I go, let me share a trip I made a few weeks ago to one of my favorite spots.

I've blogged about U.C.L.A. before. They have a major book festival in the spring that I wouldn't miss for anything. It's held right here in the old quad. But, if you make a righ before getting to Royce Hall . . .

. . . and continue north, walking under the waffle building (Bunche Hall), you will find yourself at the U.C.L.A. sculpture garden, a marvelous and splendid, and even unexpected, place.

There are major pieces by major artists including Calder, Lipchitz, Matisse, Moore, and Rodin, among others. I'm never sure who made what (except for the Rodin's along the wall here):

For me it's the experience wandering among the stunning art pieces that I always treasure. When I was a student at UCLA, the sculpture garden was an oasis in the maelstrom of papers and finals and rushing to class and work at the library nearby. I could always find a peaceful moment there.

I brought both my daughter and son here when they were young. I think sculpture is an art form that is especially accessible to children. I remember my son especially liked this one:

I asked my husband (the art history major) what this next one meant. He said, "it's pleasure in a basic shape. It has no literary analog."

Okay.

I can't tell whether this is a couple or someone playing the cello. Or maybe both. Or . . . probably not.

I think it helps if you read the placards, but I never do. I'd rather make things up.

Here's another lovely piece. Behind it is a nice place to sit and eat lunch. One could do a bit of homework. Write a scene. Or just ponder on the roundness of it all.

And it turns out I wasn't the only one there appreciating all that fine art (and wondering whether it would be a good place to grab a bite to eat).

The sculpture garden is open to the public. All you have to do is find a place to park. Apparently it's even possible to arrange a tour. For more information, click here.

Please visit Travis Erwin, the guy who spearheads My Town Mondays. He'll have a list of links to other Mondayers.