Are LACMA’s New David Geffen Galleries Worth Visiting?
The article reviews the newly opened David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and opened in April 2026 after six years of construction at a cost of roughly $724 million. The galleries break from traditional museum organization by mixing artworks from different time periods and cultures side by side, aiming to encourage visitors to make their own connections rather than following a chronological or regional narrative. However, the reviewer—an art historian with a PhD from UCLA—finds the experience confusing at times, noting that the lack of clear structure can feel disorienting, and that behind-the-scenes practical needs still impose a quiet organization. The building itself is visually striking and photogenic, but inside, many galleries are dimly lit to protect artworks, creating a contradiction between the open exterior and the enclosed interior. The architecture sometimes competes with the art, raising questions about whether the building enhances or overshadows the collection.