New Art Exhibit at Barnsdall Art Park - "Size Really Does Matter"

Barnsdall Art Park is a well known place in Los Angeles that sometimes goes unnoticed by locals and tourists alike, in favor of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, two local iconic area structures. However, Barnsdall Park is, in size, similar to New York’s Central Park, and is home to the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. 

According to the art gallery’s Facebook page , “we are actually located in East Hollywood, not Los Feliz. Los Feliz only wishes.” Either way, the art gallery, owned by the City of Los Angeles, is a free admission treasure for people who enjoy viewing art.

The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery’s latest exhibition comes with a provocative title: “Size Really Does Matter.” Don’t let it fool you—it’s not about a certain male body part. Instead, Size Really Does Matter is a monumental exhibition of various large-scale artworks on view now thru January 5, 2014. For those of you who have the inclination to view contemporary, abstract art, you’ll either really like what you’ll see or else find yourself shaking your head saying, “This is art?” That’s probably part of the fun!

The gallery recently reconfigured its space, which is located on Hollywood Boulevard and within Barnsdall Park. Size Really Does Matter showcases a variety of art installations inspired by the public artwork seen around Greater Los Angeles. Take a peek at some of the art, and you may recognize odes to the Watts Towers or the mural on Olvera Street.

If you like seeing new and interesting paintings, sculptures and video installations by mostly local artists, visit the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and see for yourself that Size Really Does Matter.

500k price drop on Los Feliz Lloyd Wright home in The Oaks

List price:  $4,495,,000

Address:  2255 Verde Oak Drive, Los Feliz

2690 Square feet - 4 bedrooms, 4 baths

Lloyd Wright's 1928 Samuel Novarro House. Known as one of the most significant Architectural estates in Los Angeles, the Novarro house is a beacon for enthusiasts who appreciate art, architecture and history. With a celebrity past and highly published, the home sits on a unique promontory and has a majestic setting in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Los Angeles, The Oaks. Meticulously restored keeping the architects original vision intact, designer details includes sleek concrete floors, dramatic windows, and period Lloyd Wright details. With a perfect in and outdoor flow this home exemplifies the Southern California lifestyle with swimmers pool, professionally landscaped gardens and terraces. 

October is a Great Time to Visit the Old Zoo in Griffith Park

Thousands of people visit Los Angeles’ Griffith Park to see the view from atop the mountain at the world-famous Griffith Observatory. While that’s a tourist magnet, Griffith Park also has something locals and tourists should see: The Old Zoo.

It’s not every day you get to see—and walk through—an abandoned zoo. It’s a small zoo full of empty cages and caves covered in graffiti, and many people like to bring their cameras and take pictures.

To find The Old Zoo, start off at the Carousel parking lots. Walk toward the grassy field and hills, where you’ll see a path. It’s an easy 15-minute walk up the path to the zoo.

The first things you’ll see upon entering the zoo area are large stone enclosures featured in the bear battle scenes of the movie Anchorman. Then, you can peek inside and look for a narrow, crumbling staircase behind a door. See where it leads, if you dare. Visitors have described wandering around the abandoned zoo as both cool and creepy. You can sneak through holes in fences to explore dim, dirty cages and caves.

It’s best to wear closed-toe shoes or boots to explore the ruins, rather than flip-flops. Also, don’t wear fancy clothes because there’s a chance you’ll get some dirt on whatever you’re wearing.

The Old Zoo has some picnic tables in front of the stone enclosures, and an adjacent field is home to Shakespeare in the Park, taking place at dusk during the summer months.

While the area is often visited by people, be on the lookout for snakes and/or coyotes if you visit The Old Zoo—it is, after all, surrounded by nature and wildlife.