Discover the Recently Launched David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has formally introduced its new David Geffen Galleries, marking an enchanting new phase in its storied legacy. The ribbon-cutting event, which took place on April 19, 2026, represented the end of two decades of careful planning, construction, and fundraising endeavors. Celebrated architect Peter Zumthor’s vision has redefined the museum’s environment, featuring an organic, sculptural design with a 900-foot-long horizontal structure made of glass and concrete. This groundbreaking design gracefully curves along Hancock Park and borders the iconic Wilshire Boulevard, forming a remarkable architectural beacon.

The elevated main level of the galleries stands 30 feet above the vibrant city, offering a tranquil perspective amidst the hustle of Los Angeles traffic. In this area, guests find terrace galleries lining the edges, while the interiors are adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Some sections are fitted with custom curtains to shield light-sensitive artworks from sunlight, ensuring their conservation.

The interior of the David Geffen Galleries champions a fundamentally open design, permitting visitors to navigate their own paths through the art collection. This strategy demonstrates a conscious effort to treat all cultural, traditional, and historical artifacts equally, without priority. Consequently, guests can engage with LACMA’s vast collection, which encompasses 155,000 objects and spans 6,000 years, driven by their individual curiosity.

Celebrating the galleries’ launch is a premier exhibition curated by a team of 45 specialists, maximizing the 110,000-square-foot area to its fullest extent. The exhibition revolves around the theme of water, employing the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea as mediums to weave together cultures and transcend temporal and spatial boundaries through art. Furthermore, the galleries feature four newly commissioned pieces, notably Do Ho Suh’s “Jagyeon Hall, Gyeongbok Palace,” which beautifully reconstructs an ethereal section of the Joseon royal palace in Seoul.

LACMA members have the opportunity for a preview of the David Geffen Galleries until May 3. To discover more exhibits or explore membership options, visitors are urged to check LACMA’s official website.