The David Geffen Galleries at LACMA represent a groundbreaking approach to museum design, where the traditional norms are reimagined to create a dynamic, immersive experience. Designed by renowned architect Peter Zumthor, the building’s unique structure, resembling a sculptural concrete form, is accentuated by its innovative use of materials.
Unlike conventional museum spaces, the Geffen Galleries blur the line between architecture and art. The walls, although primarily unadorned concrete, are tinted with custom glazes that echo the creative spirit of the museum. This design choice was led by Diana Magaloni, Senior Deputy Director for Conservation, Curatorial and Exhibitions, who envisioned a space where colors emerge from shadows, reflecting the surrounding environment’s light and darkness.
Magaloni and Zumthor’s collaboration aimed to root the gallery’s hues in the essence of Los Angeles. The inspiration for the palette came serendipitously from an exhibition featuring Indigenous Zapotec artist Porfirio Gutiérrez, who demonstrated the traditional methods of creating pigments like indigo and cochineal. The resulting palette of dusky reds, vibrant blues, and nuanced blacks draws from these ancient traditions.
To maintain the raw beauty of the concrete, a novel paint was developed by Zumthor and Swiss craftsman Marius Fontana, using mineral pigments that blend seamlessly with the walls. This state-of-the-art glaze, produced by Keim, is made from silica, ensuring the colors remain transparent while enhancing the natural textures of the concrete.
The painting process was an intricate endeavor, undertaken by a team of fine artists who meticulously adapted their techniques to the unique properties of each pigment and the environmental conditions. This methodical approach ensured the walls became individual artworks, with each layer of color contributing to the building’s narrative.
The placement of colors within the galleries reflects both Zumthor’s vision and the cosmological themes of Mesoamerican art. Red hues inhabit the southern parts, blue occupies the central areas, and black shades dominate the northern sections, symbolizing a journey through time and space. This arrangement not only honors the building’s conceptual roots but also enhances the diverse artworks on display, allowing them to resonate with the architecture.
The David Geffen Galleries stand as a testament to the harmonious blend of contemporary design and historical inspiration, where each wall tells a story of its own.
