Event Two: The Getty Center

Upon arriving at The Getty Center, it is easy to appreciate the beauty it contains. This beauty is evident not only in the magnificent works of art it houses, but also in the structure and design of the museum itself. Perhaps the most astounding feature of The Getty is The Central Garden, completed in 1997 by artist Robert Irwin. The 134,000 square-foot design features over 500 varieties of plants, and contains a natural ravine and several areas of grouped plants, such as the cactus garden. From above, the center hedges create a pattern that repeats “G” and “C” for Getty Center, as explained by a helpful tour guide. Looking at the beauty of the landscaping, it is easy to see why The Central Garden is a favorite spot among museum visitors

Overlook of The Central Gardens, with ariel views of the many different types of plants

The Central Gardens offer visitors with a unique interaction with art and nature. Visitors are invited to walk through the foliage and observe nature in action; it is possible to see small insects roaming around the flowers, to appreciate the beauty of different species of plants, and to observe the water feature and natural ravine. In addition, this unique design space offers guests the option of relaxing on the grass with a picnic lunch, all the while surrounded by the white marble of The Getty Center buildings and the brilliant green of The Central Gardens. The Central Gardens remind visitors of their interactions with both art and nature, and how these interaction become cherished and important features of our everyday lives.

Visitors of The Central Garden enjoy the beauty of The Central Gardens, which promote interaction with nature and artistic design.

But The Central Gardens are much more than a picturesque feature of The Getty Center. The gardens incorporate artistic design with environmental ideas. The cactus garden, for example, proves to be environmentally sound as the plants do not require much water. Many other California native plants make The Central Gardens environmentally friendly and can be sustained in the California climate. In an effort to be an example for water conservation, all water features in The Central Gardens have been turned off, declaring to visitors a message of water consumption mindfulness in the face of the California drought. The Central Gardens at The Getty Center helped me better understand the application of math to art, as features of the gardens, such as the central hedges or the spaces allotted for walkways and garden boxes, require careful mathematical planning in order to create a work of art. Additionally, the idea of two cultures is present in The Central Gardens; by combining aspects of environmental science and artistic design, it is evident that these gardens were successful in conveying ideas concerning science and art to the visitors who enjoy the outdoor area. The Central Gardens definitely influenced me in designing my final project: by being able to observe the way in which an artist made nature harmonious with man-made structures, I found inspiration for creating a project which would apply this concept to a variety of aspects of human society. The Central Gardens are a shining example of sustainability and promoting artistic design in nature.

The author at The Getty Center in front of a map and information about the events of the day.