The Getty Center

The Getty Center, well-known for its architecture by Richard Meier and astonishing views overlooking Los Angeles (it's incredible to realize the quantity of smog over the city, you cannot even see the ocean but just ships in the middle of the fog!). The atmosphere is very clean and relaxed, being on a hill with beautiful gardens, especially the Cactus Veranda, which I of course loved!

The highlights were two very interesting exhibitions: the photography of Ed Ruscha, and a video art installation by Werner Herzog: Hearsay of the Soul. I especially appreciated Ruscha's works "Every Building on the Sunset Strip" (1966), presenting all of the structures on Sunset Boulevard between Beverly Hills and Laurel Canyon, a twenty-four-foot-long double view of both sides of the street meticulously collaged together; and "Pacific Coast Highway" (1974), using the same automobile-based system to photograph the panoramic view of the highway.
Definitely a place you must visit in LA!

 

Los Angeles - Hollywood

On night and one day in Los Angeles...

TCL Chinese Theatre

The hollywood sign from my room

The view from my hotel room in Hollywood

Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory at the Grove and lunch at Robata Jinya, a very original Japanese restaurant, with Kelly from Bagsnob; on the road and a very-full cute store in Little Tokyo with Milee, formerly from Polyvore.

CJU at Santa Barbara

For the second year I attended CJU for LUISAVIAROMA, in Santa Barbara (read about last year trip here). The sunny California was a bit cold this year, and didn't have much time to relax but still the experience was great.

Wadaiko Shien

Taiko concert by "Wadaiko Shien" from Kyoto, for the Natsu Matsuri Festival - Firenze, Villa Strozzi, organized by Associazione Lailac.