Aug 21, 2018 Re-Defining History at The Marciano Art Foundation
Marciano Art Foundation view from Wilshire Boulevard
Upon arriving at the Marciano Arts Foundation, one might think that Google Maps has led them astray. On Wilshire Boulevard just near Koreatown the impressively massive structure adorned with masonic murals, gilded symbols, and statues, that wouldn’t exactly indicate ones arrival to a contemporary art space, is in fact the destination.
Designed by acclaimed artist and designer Millard Sheets, the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge stands 4 stories and is a staggering 110,000 square feet which makes it as large as other popular art spaces in Los Angeles such as The Broad and MOCA. At the time of is completion in 1961 it was used by the Masons for meetings, theatre performances, and various other activities which will be forever be left a mystery. Since then, it has been in and out of use (it even housed National Guard troops during the LA Riots in 1992).
The building had been largely vacant since 1994 due to decreasing Masonic participation. The Marciano brothers — owners of the denim dynasty GUESS Jeans — purchased the building in 2013 for $8 million and completely renovated the space with the help of famed L.A. architectural firm wHY, headed by Kulapat Yantrasast. Over the years, the fashion moguls have amassed an extensive art collection, consisting of numerous originals from artists like Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, and Takashi Murakami, to name a few.
Yayoi Kusama’s “With All My Love for the Tulips”
Once inside, the hip, young staff are happy to direct you to your desired destination inside the colossal structure. They are quick to inform visitors that the Yayoi Kusama exhibit can be found on the third floor, which judging by some of the patrons’ attire was exactly why they were there. Wandering around the available three floors (one is closed for installation), you’ll see many different genres of contemporary art, from the socio-political paintings of Nina Chanel Abney to a large-scale projection by Olafur Eliasson. All of the art is modern, youthful, and relevant, much like their docents.
Two seemingly paradoxical groups, the Freemasons and the art world, collide at the Marciano Art Foundation. Yet, the parallels between the two sects aren’t that different. Both are are exclusive and elusive. Luckily, the Marciano family has opened up a bit of history and mystery, welcoming us to take a peek inside a world we may have otherwise never known existed.