Kamasi Washington‘s Performance Ushers in New Era For LACMA‘s David Geffen Galleries

Los Angeles – In a dazzling echo of history, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA, unveiled its David Geffen Galleries on Thursday night with a groundbreaking performance. Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington led a sonic event featuring over one hundred musicians, marking the first public entry into the new space.

This momentous occasion recalls LACMA’s 1965 opening,where music preluded the art. The new galleries, still devoid of art, became a canvas for Washington’s expansive musical vision.

A Grand Celebration of Art and Music

The celebration was far grander than the inaugural concert in 1965, when Pierre Boulez led the premiere of his “Éclat.” LACMA Director Michael Govan described the evening as unprecedented, transforming the space into a musical haven amid the backdrop of a city facing various challenges. The performance highlighted the potential of the new building for artistic expression.

Washington’s performance was an expanded version of his 2018 EP, “Harmony of Difference,” ballooning in musician count and length. The result provided a unique experience for those who attended. The event proved to be more than just enthralling; it was outright stunning.

Sonic Surrealism in a Unique Space

The David Geffen Galleries offer an acoustically unique surroundings, with glass windows and angled concrete walls creating diverse sound reflections. During the performance, ensembles played distinct arrangements of Washington’s songs, creating an experience of sonic surrealism as attendees moved through the galleries. The sounds ebbed and flowed, turning the building into a living, breathing organism.

LACMA Director Michael Govan addressing the crowd Thursday night before Kamasi Washington performs.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The visual element added another layer,with sunset light streaming through the large windows and highlighting the surrounding environment. The concert reminded attendees of LACMA’s potential for diverse artistic expressions, possibly leading to “LACMAP: Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Performance.”

The Future of LACMA: A Blend of Art and Performance

Govan envisions LACMA as a place where all art forms converge, creating a promenade of revelation.Washington’s performance underscored the building’s potential for dance, opera, and theater, pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be.

Do you think other museums will follow LACMA’s lead in incorporating performance art? What future performances would you like to see at the David Geffen Galleries?

Key Facts About the Event