The Broad is a contemporary art museum located on Grand Ave in downtown Los Angeles. It was conceived and funded by the philanthropy foundation of Eli and Edythe Broad and designed by Diller Scofidio & Renfro. The design is based on a concept known as the “veil and the vault”. A honeycomb exterior acts as a porous veil wrapped around the vault of the interior building. This metallic honeycomb exterior allows natural light to filter into the interior exhibition spaces. The interior “vault” is a concrete building that forms the core, housing artwork storage, curatorial space, laboratories and offices.
The Broad opened on September 20, 2015 offering free general admission to its permanent collections. Eli Broad donated over $140 million to the planning, construction and operation of this eclectic contemporary art museum. Mr. Broad made his fortune beginning in the 1960’s when he became a partner in a housing company that evolved into KB Homes, which went public on the American Stock Exchange. Eli Broad is the only person to build two fortune 500 Companies. Years after taking KB Homes public, Eli Broad became involved in the Sun Life Insurance Company of America, which was founded in 1880. Eli Broad transformed this century old insurance company into the power house that became SunAmerica, which he sold to AIG for over $18 billion. Since retiring in 1999, Eli Broad along with his wife Edythe have dedicated their life to philanthropy, the Broad Museum is one of the results of their foundation.
Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, 2013
Jeff Koons, Tulips, 1995-2004
Jean-Michel Basquiat, With Strings Two, 1983
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Beef Ribs Longhorn, 1982
Robert Therrien, Under The Table, 1994
Mark Tansey, Four Forbidden Senses, 1982
Mark Tansey, Forward Retreat, 1986
Jeff Koons, Michael Jackson and Bubbles, 1988
Jeff Koons, Balloon Dog (Blue), 1994-2000
The Broad features over 2,000 original pieces by over 200 contemporary artists. Represented artists in the permanent collections of The Broad include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichensteinn, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, as well as a venerable list of major and minor artists recognized in Contemporary Art. Mr. Broad was an avid collector of art, especially contemporary art. He obtained a 1963 Andy Warhol titled “The Single Elvis”, at a price that set the stage for the current valuations of contemporary art.
Jasper Johns, Flag, 1967
Roy Lichtenstein, Reflections on “Interior with Girl Drawing”, 1990
Lari Pittman, Like You, 1995
Roy Lichtenstein, Femme d’Alger, 1963
Roy Lichtenstein, I…I’m Sorry!, 1965-66
Roy Lichtenstein, Rouen Cathedral, Set 3, 1968-69
Robert Rauschenberg, Untitled, 1963
Andy Warhol, Twenty Jackies, 1964
Andy Warhol, Rorschach, 1984
Andy Warhol, Self-Portrait, 1966
Andy Warhol, Campbell’s Soup Can (Clam Chowder- Manhattan Style) 1962
Andy Warhol, Small Torn Campbell’s Soup Can (Pepper Pot), 1962
Andy Warhol, Two Marilyns, 1962
Elliott Hundley, the high house low!, 2011
Anselm Kiefer, Maginot, 1977-93
Marlene Dumas, Wall Weeping, 2009
Goshka Macuga, Death of Marxism, Women of All Lands United, 2013
David Salle, Demonic Roland, 1987
Glenn Ligon, Warm Broad Glow II, 2011
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Ragnar Kjartansson, The Visitors, 2012
Since its opening in September 2015 The Broad continues to draw record admissions, its visitors are approaching the 2 million mark. Set on a busy downtown Los Angeles avenue, The Broad offers a respite to city dwellers in the Museum Plaza, an open landscaped park adjacent to the Museum Building. A unique feature of The Broad Museum is a grove of 100-year-old Barouni Olive Trees.
Along with the permanent exhibitions, The Broad is dedicated to offering special programs, exhibitions, shows, as well as interactive workshops throughout the year. The diversity of special exhibits and programs changes constantly, visitors are advised to check The Broad website frequently to find the next special exhibition and program.
Funding for The Broad includes research, education, exchange programs with other contemporary art museums throughout the world. The Broad has grown in a few short years to be the leader in Contemporary Art curation.
In keeping with the theme of living contemporary art, The Broad features a unique restaurant, with indoor -outdoor seating. Otium Restaurant has at its roots a Latin heritage while taking its name from a Latin word that connotes, Leisure Time. Situated off one of Los Angeles’s busiest avenues, Otium Restaurant offers a respite from city life. A relaxed casual atmosphere focuses on quality food, friendly service and the culinary expertise of Chef Timothy Hollingsworth.
Story by Daniel Dachille and Laine Page