Casinos are a thing of the past. Today, Australians play House of Pokies online instead. Many institutions such as museums and galleries need to change their approach in order to stay relevant in today’s culture. These businesses must continue to monitor new digital transformation trends if they want to remain agile and achieve a competitive edge against other companies that have not embraced the technology shift yet. Technology has come so far that it is now an indispensable part of everyday life for most people.

Digital media is not just for entertainment. It can also offer utility, foster community, and support emotional needs.

In the past, California museums relied on what visitors could see and touch to attract them. Nowadays, many Californian museums have begun experimenting with new ways to appeal to their audiences such as by introducing computer art exhibits that are popular with young adults. One of those experiments happened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) which displayed a temporary installation called ‘Digital Earth’ in its outdoor plaza through summer 2019.

The recent economic downturn has led to a decline in attendance at US museums, but now many are looking for ways to bring back visitors. One such way is through novel art exhibitions that are usually less traditional than what people would typically expect from an art museum. Museums like the Orange County Museum of Art and the Berkeley Art Museum have begun experimenting with different types of exhibits, including interactive digital displays, video installations, and computer-generated imagery artwork by artists like Bruce Nauman give results.

Birth of Computer Art: From Max Bense to Conceptualism

The birth of computer art is generally attributed to Max Bense, who began his career as a philosopher in Stuttgart. Bense believed that the aesthetic qualities and appreciation of artwork were subject to a rationalized process, and he attempted to bring this theory into practice by using computers. He proposed that “every artistic idea could be totally rationalized” (Zimmermann). 

LeWitt was another influential artist, who was instrumental in developing conceptualism by writing instructions for his artwork to be executed. This allowed the artist’s work to exist outside of themselves and maintain control over their ideas while not having to physically create it themselves. 

The same principle can be applied to computer-generated artwork. In 1967 Bense wrote “Computer Art,” one of the first books on computer-generated graphics, which was published in 1970.

Museums Still Matter, But Their Relevance Depends on Your Age

They serve an important purpose in society- they preserve history and allow us to see it firsthand without having to travel all over the world. They still matter, especially when it comes to sparking creativity and learning new things. It is no secret that museums are going through a major change as more and more people find entertainment online rather than in person. However, as technology has advanced, so have museums.

New Generations Prefer Online World

In recent years, the rise of digital media has challenged our assumptions about what it means to be human. It has also transformed how we communicate and socialize. The newest generation, Generation Z (born 1995-2012) is even more plugged in than Millennials (born 1981-1994). Almost three quarters use YouTube for their socializing and browsing — more than any other platform. In contrast to older generations who mainly rely on television, print publications, or books for entertainment purposes only.

Final thoughts

The art world has been subject to many changes throughout the years. Technology is constantly evolving, and in turn, it influences the way we create art. 

Digital displays are an excellent replacement for physical ones. When replacing the old with the new, it’s not just a matter of making content digital. We should take this opportunity to reimagine the entire content experience. 

For example, you might make interactive maps, scenes or timelines in your museum as opposed to static exhibits. Artists and museums alike have embraced interactivity and continue to push boundaries on what is possible when displaying art digitally versus physically.

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But this state is more than just a fantastic summer destination. It has many landmarks, top-notch shopping districts, luxurious dining spots, and much more. But if you are a fan of history this region also has different kinds of museums that you can visit. 

We have developed this post to help you find the region’s best art galleries to make your holiday in this country as rich as ever. So continue reading until the end to see this southern state’s top museums. 

USS Iowa

By visiting this place, you can travel back in time and have the opportunity to see how marines used to live during the time of the Second World War. The ship is ported in San Pedro at the Port of LA. 

The US Navy used this ship back in the 2nd World War. Inside it, you will see missiles, weaponry, and the crews’ living quarters. It Is not an adults-only art gallery; kids can also visit here. 

The MMSD

The place has some of the most significant collections of marine vessels. It has the Star of India, USS Dolphin, An Iron Bark from the 19th Century, a submarine for research, and some other ships. This place also has various hands-on exhibits for children. 

This art gallery is another ultimate venue for tourists who have a lot of interest in all things nautical. Situated on San Diego Bay, this place has breathtaking backdrops and surroundings. The art gallery has been active since 1948. 

The MNH in LA

More than 35 million specimens and other historical artifacts are housed in these art galleries, some of which go back billions of years ago. Yes, we are talking about dinosaurs!

Planning to visit LA? You should make sure that you see the Natural History Museum in LA. It is a fascinating art gallery, and everyone in your family will enjoy it. 

The NSMP

This place was once known as the Pasadena Institute of Art. But now it has been turned into an art gallery. It is a type of art gallery that plays with the minds of its visitors with its range of different stunning artifacts and exhibits. 

If you are interested in foreign arts, you will be pretty excited to have a look at the Asian and European art pieces at this museum. 

Recent exhibitions include The Swineherd by Paul Gauguin, By Day & By Night: Paris in the Belle Epoque, 1888, and Beyond the World We Know: Abstraction in Photography. You can expect many more exhibitions in this museum in future years. 

The LACMA

The southern part of the state has many art galleries, including the LA County Museums of Air or LACMA. This iconic place has appeared in many Hollywood movies due to its visual appeal. It was established back in 1961, and it has been showcasing diverse artworks since that time. 

It also hosts temporary exhibits, and the most recent ones have been Japan: Emptiness Overflowing, Cauleen Smith: Give It or Leave It, and Sam Francis. This place also holds other film screenings and concerts on different special occasions.

Honorable Mentions

Southern California is a pretty massive region, and it also has many art galleries. Therefore, just mentioning the above few weren’t going to cut it. So here are a few more for you to consider.

Bowers in Santa Ana 

It is located in Orange County, Santa Ana, and has a mission revival style of design and outlook. Furthermore, it has a comprehensive collection of global art available in diverse forms. 

More than 100,000 pieces of art are located here, and it features pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican, and Native American art. It was established in 1936 and had many notable artifacts from around the globe. 

Music Making Museum

If you are passionate about it, you shouldn’t miss a tour of this place on your Southern California trip. This place is bright-colored and filled with fun, and it is a top choice for families and all music lovers. 

It might feature some contemporary furnishings, but the exhibits follow a proper timeline that includes the past. Moreover, you will find some old and new musical instruments, photographs, and other memorabilia here. 

You can also find how these instruments are made, marketed, and used. In addition, the place hosts many live events and shows from time to time. Therefore, you must keep an eye on its website to stay updated. 

Guinness in LA

If you are curious about different trivial facts about the world and want to know who’s the tallest person in the world and when the short or similar others found facts and Guinness records, this art gallery is the best place for you to visit. It is just a short walk away from Highland Center and Hollywood. 

The PSAM

This place is located in the Palm Spring region. It focuses on the importance of air power during World War II and how it helps understand the liberty American citizens enjoy nowadays. 

You will see several different old items that the military used during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Some of these aircraft are still flyable and are in pretty good condition. 

In addition, the art gallery has a gallery of pilots, including both dead and alive, and they have participated in the most significant conflict of human history. 

Takeaway

Southern California might be famous for its sunny beaches and extraordinary coastlines, but it also has many landmarks, one of which is its beautiful and unique themed museums. 

From dinosaurs to WW2 and everything in between, you will find many art galleries in the state’s southern region. 

Make sure you do include these museums in your Southern California tour, and you will live with a rich experience to share with your family and friends. 

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But the state of California has some casinos that are just as good as the casinos in Las Vegas. In fact, California is home to the oldest poker room in the world, The California Grand Casino. The Grand Casino has also been voted severally as the best casino in the San Francisco East Bay area.

History

Located in Pacheco, California, the California Grand Casino was founded in 1854 as the Woodford Hotel and Saloon. However, it was not referred to as a casino then, even though patrons of the hotel could indulge in as much alcohol and gambling as they desired. It was referred to as a ‘card room’, a term which was considered to be more appealing. The hotel also became a Pony Express Stop for Wells Fargo, which further improved its popularity.

The casino is owned by Lamar Wilkinson, a former player at the casino who bought it in 1979 and finally renamed it The California Grand Casino. The casino has continuously held poker games since it first opened more than 150 years ago, earning it the title of the oldest operating poker room in the world.

Features

The California Grand Casino is as grand and as fancy as its name suggests. It is a physical casino and has about 18,000 square feet of gaming space, and 19 gaming tables which means that there is almost always an available table to play.

The casino also has free Wi-Fi, ensuring that you stay connected to the outside world while you play. It also features a restaurant for players to grab a quick bite in between games and a free 24/7 valet service. All areas in the casino are 100% smoke-free, meaning that you aren’t allowed to smoke while in the casino.

Like online casinos, the California Grand Casino features 24/7 gaming 7 days a week, all around the year. You can be sure to have non-stop gaming. Unlike online casinos, however, you may sometimes have to make a reservation before visiting the Grand Casino, just in case. Also, unlike online casinos, you do not get a casino bonus even as a frequent player in the casino.

The casino also has an age limit. You have to be at least 21 years old to be allowed to play games in the casino. There are no exceptions to this rule, and it is impossible for someone under the age of 21 to gain access to the casino, even if they are over the 18-year legal adult age.

Unlike most casinos, the California Grand Casino takes problem gambling very seriously. The casino’s website includes numbers to call if you believe that you are at the risk of developing a gambling problem, or if you already have a gambling problem. Gambling addictions are real and serious, and it is important that you seek help as soon as possible before it gets worse.

Games you can play at the casino

While the slot machine is one of the most popular games in casinos, the California Grand Casino does not have any. This is because the ownership of slot machines in California is heavily regulated and it is illegal for many places to have one.

However, there are other games that you can play at the casinos and still have a good time. Poker is one of the most popular choices, which is not surprising, given that the casino is known for being the oldest poker room in the world. The casino also offers three card poker, which is a variation of Poker. Other games that you can play at the casino include hot action blackjack, pai gow poker, and Ez Baccarat.

No matter what time of the day or season of the year, you can be sure that there is a game ongoing at the California Grand Casino, and that you will find something to suit your gaming needs. 

Title Tag: The California Grand Casino: The Oldest Poker Room in the World

Meta Description: The California Grand Casino has been running continuously for more than 150 years. Discover everything that this historical casino has to offer. 

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1.     Pechanga Resort & Casino

Pechanga Resort & Casino is located in Temecula, California, and it is the biggest and one of the best casinos that you will find in the state. In fact, it is one of the biggest casino resorts in the entire country as it sits on more than 200,000 square feet of gaming space alone.

Not only can you play card games at Pechanga, but the casino also has slot machines for your entertainment. The resort has 5,000 slot machines, so there is always a free machine for you.

2.     The Bicycle Hotel & Casino

The Bicycle Hotel & Casino has been around since 1984. Commonly known as “The Bike”, it is the go-to casino in California for card games. The Bike offers some of the widest range of card games that you can find anywhere. Unlike most casinos that only offer the most popular variation of card games, The Bike also offers some lesser-known variations, making it a card player’s heaven.

It sits on a 117,000 square-foot property which also features a cocktail lounge, a fitness center, and some restaurants.

3.     San Manuel Casino

Located in Southern California, San Manuel Casino is more than able to give any Las Vegas casino a run for their money. It is as huge and lavish as you can ever want, with more than enough games to keep you entertained for as long as you want. 

It has a gaming floor that measures more than 121,000 square feet and features a record 6,500 slot machines. If you would like to play something else other than the slot machine, the casino has 135 game tables, so there is always something for everyone no matter what your preferences are.

4.     Hustler Casino

Hustler Casino is owned by Larry Flynt, who also owns Hustler magazine. It was opened in 2000 and has since then grown to become one of the best and most popular casinos in California. Located in Gardena, it is the perfect spot for lovers of card games.

Not only does Hustler Casino offer an excellent selection of card games, but it also hosts tournaments in different games. The casino also has three restaurants where you can grab a quick bite between games, as well as a merchandise store where you can buy branded items as a keepsake.

5.     Red Hawk Casino

Red Hawk Casino is the perfect place to have a fun night of games and entertainment. Located in Placerville, it has about 2,300 slot machines, and about 75 tables for card games, including poker.

Even better, the casino has an entertainment facility for children so your little ones are not left out of the fun. The children’s entertainment facility is monitored at all times, so you can enjoy yourself knowing that your kids are being well taken care of. 

6.     Hollywood Park Casino

Hollywood Park Casino is another great casino to visit in California, and it is located in Inglewood, California. The casino was originally opened in 1994 as part of the Hollywood Park Racetrack. Not only is the casino as fancy as you would expect from its name, but it also has a range of games for you to choose from. Whether you like Blackjack, roulette, or Poker, Hollywood Park Casino has it all.

7.     Black Oak Casino Resort

Black Oak Casino is yet another casino where you are guaranteed to have as much fun as you can handle. It has more than 50,000 square feet of gaming floor, 24 gaming tables, and 1,170 slot machines to keep you entertained at all times. 

It is also family-friendly and features an arcade, a golf course, and a bowling alley.

With these seven casinos in California, you no longer have to go to Vegas to have an authentic casino experience.

Title Tag: 7 of the Best Casinos That You Can Find California

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The museum building was designed by architects W. Johnson and R. Snyder and is made in the interesting Plateresque style so as not to disturb the harmony with the rest of the buildings at the Panama-California Exposition of 1915. The dominant feature of the building is the beautiful ornate façade with a heavily ornamented door, which was inspired by a Salamaca University door. The exterior was also clearly inspired by the remarkable cathedral in Valladolid and the Santa Cruz Hospital in Toledo, Spain.

Construction took two years, after which A. S. Bridges, who financed it, donated the building to the city. In 1966, a west wing with a sculpted courtyard was added to the museum, doubling its size, and in 1974, the east wing was added.

The museum collections are grouped according to historical periods, with the oldest dating back to 5000 B.C. and the youngest to our time. The most valuable works are those of the great Spaniards: Murillo, Zurbarán, Cotán, Ribera and El Greco. The first among the world masterpieces that the museum can boast today was a painting by Francisco Goya, bought in 1939 from a private collection and never exhibited before. In the following decade, the museum managed to acquire paintings by Giovanni Bellini and Diego Velázquez (the portrait of the Infanta Margarita, thought to be a study for the world famous portrait on display in Vienna).

Italian artists are represented in the collection by works by Giordone, Giambattista Pittoni, Giotto, Veronese, Luini, and Canaletto. The Northern European school of painting is represented by Rubens, Hals and Van Dyck. More modern authors whose works can also be seen in the museum include German expressionists such as Otto Dix, Egon Schiele, and Gustav Klimt.

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The father of modern cosmetics’ real name was Faktorovich. He came from the Russian Empire, the son of a worker from Lodz (Poland). As a boy he sold sweets, worked as a pharmacist, studied at a wigmaker, and was an assistant makeup artist. After serving in the Imperial Army, he opened a store in Ryazan for blushes, creams, and wigs. The young merchant was lucky: a theater company passed through Ryazan, and the master of cosmetics became known at court. Faktorovich moved to St. Petersburg, made up the performers at the opera theater, at the same time he was a consultant on cosmetics at the court of Nicholas II. However, in 1904, concerned about the threat of Jewish pogroms, he emigrated to the United States.

Over the ocean, the customs officer shortened the emigrant’s last name, Maximilian Faktorovich turned into Max Faktor. In 1908 he opened a store in Los Angeles, a year later he founded a company that was destined to become an empire. Factor realized that the nascent movie industry would require new cosmetics. In 1912 he created special makeup for movie stars. The next step was truly ingenious: Factor announced that with this makeup every girl could look like a movie star. Max Factor cosmetics began to buy millions of women. In the everyday life of society ladies and ordinary workers entered makeup, which before the Factor was the attribute of women of dubious behavior.

The Factor bought an Art Deco building near Hollywood Boulevard (by Simeon Charles Lee) on the eve of the Great Depression. Here, in his studio, the silver screen goddesses were born. It was Factor who created the familiar look of many movie stars to the world. He made Marilyn Monroe a platinum blonde, Lucille Ball a fiery redhead, and dusted Marlene Dietrich’s wig with real gold. The interior of the building matched the tastes of the founder: white and pink marble, antique chandeliers, antique furniture.

The museum collection numbers over ten thousand exhibits. In the basement of the building there is a prison cell and the corridor that Jodie Foster from “Silence of the Lambs” passed through, the mask of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, figures of vampires and Elvira the Lord of Darkness. On the first floor you can see Max Factor’s makeup rooms for blondes, redheads, brown hair, and brunettes, with special makeup for each occasion. The second and third floors are devoted to the costumes of movie stars in which they appeared in famous movies. There is a million-dollar Marilyn Monroe dress, the largest collection of authentic Marilyn Monroe outfits, Elvis Presley’s gown and Sylvester Stallone’s boxing gloves as Rocky. There are hundreds of costumes: Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie starred in them. Nearby are photos, personal belongings of the stars, and posters reminiscent of the glory and brilliance of screen icons.

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Walt Disney is a famous American animator, film director, screenwriter, founder of the Walt Disney Company. He directed 111 films and produced 576 more, won 26 Oscar awards. In 1968 Walt Disney was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Congress – the highest award in the United States.

The museum of the classic of animation was founded by his daughter Diana Disney Miller. Here you can see an exhibition of personal belongings, documents, a collection of cartoons, sketches of drawings for them, a model of Disneyland and other exhibits. The building is full of modern equipment: 215 monitors for watching cartoons, sound equipment for listening to music for movies and a cinema hall for 120 people. The museum’s expansive lobby displays 248 Walt Disney awards.

The fascinating and inspiring story of Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse and other internationally recognizable characters. The museum shows Walt Disney’s successes, his disappointments, and his unyielding optimism. He took risks and influenced pop culture with animated and feature films, television programs, theme parks and new technologies.

The museum presents the technology, historical materials and artifacts he developed.

And there is also a store with a variety of toys, souvenirs from famous cartoons.

The back wall of the museum is made entirely of glass, which allows you to admire views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Point Loma Lighthouse was one of a series of lighthouses funded by Congress in 1850 (along with Alcatraz Island, Point Concepcion, Battery Point, Farallon Island, and Point Pinos Island). Construction began in 1854 when building materials arrived from San Francisco. The lantern and lenses were ordered from Paris and arrived a year and a half later. That same year the lighthouse was completed.

After the work was completed, a small building was added to the lighthouse, originally used as a warehouse for oil, wood, and other supplies. In 1875, part of the building was converted into a two-room apartment for the lighthouse keeper. It is in this annex that the museum exhibit operates today.

While the lighthouse operated, it remained the tallest of all the lighthouses in the United States. Generally speaking, this was not an advantage: since the lighthouse stood on top of a cliff 122 m high, fog and low clouds often blocked its light to ships. On foggy nights, the keeper was forced to fire blanks from his rifle to literally drive ships away from the dangerous spot. So in 1891 the lighthouse lantern was moved lower.

The museum at the lighthouse features original lenses as well as maps, historical documents and the original furnishings, which, by looking around, one can imagine life in the place. In particular, it tells the interesting story of San Diego pioneer and lighthouse keeper Robert Decatur Israel, who worked in that capacity the longest. Born in Pittsburgh, Robert went through the Mexican War, including the famous Battle of Chapultepec, was appointed assistant keeper in 1871 and promoted to the rank of keeper in 1874 (his wife Maria became his assistant, as was the custom in lighthouses). The Israel family, along with their four children, lived alone on Point Loma, making sure that the light at the lighthouse burned every night. And so it went on for 18 consecutive years. All the children grew up, and one of the Israelites’ grandchildren was also born in the lighthouse.

To understand what was so special about the life of the Israelite family in the lighthouse, one has to imagine the children crossing the bay in the fog every morning to get to school, and how only occasionally a citizen dared to ride through the mud and slush to the lighthouse to visit the Robinsons who lived there.

Normally the lighthouse tower is closed to the public, but two days a year you can tour it. Those are April 25, the birthday of the National Park Service, and November 15, the birthday of the lighthouse.

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The museum has two restoration workshops, one on site and one on the Gillespie flight field. The complex there is also open to the public and to view the many outdoor aircraft on display. It has a model store and a store for restorers. There is also a library with a large collection not only of books, but also historical photographs of the aircraft themselves and their production process.

At the main entrance to the museum is the Theodore Gildred Rotunda. The Apollo 9 command module is on display here, along with model aircraft that are made by local San Diego companies. There are also miniature models of what visitors will see on a further tour of the museum (e.g. the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk), flying reproductions (such as the Curtis A-1 amphibious aircraft), replicas (like the legendary “Spirit of St. Louis” Ryan Aeronautical NYP aircraft) and flying vehicles (like the Ryan Firebee and General Atomics MQ-1 Predator).
At the museum’s main entrance is the Theodore Gildred Rotunda. Here are miniature models of what visitors will see as they explore the museum further.

The Theodore Gildred Rotunda is free for visitors to view.

The rest of the exhibit is mostly originals, although there are a few replicas as well. The most interesting models to admire at the museum are Lockheed’s A-12 Oxcart, the SP-1 Sea Dart, a copy of the Vin Fiz Flyer, the original Spitfire Mk. XVI, the original Mustang P-51D, the A6M7 Zero from Mitsubishi, the Tomcat F-14 Grumman, the AH-1E Cobra from Bell, and finally two of our pride pieces: the MiG-15 at Gillespie Field and the MiG-17.

Among the newest exhibits in the modern jet and spacecraft gallery are the Ryan X-13 Vertijet, a replica Wee Bee Bee Aviation, the original F/A-18 Hornet Blue Angel 1, a replica Gemini spacecraft, and at the end of the gallery is the Boeing GPS-12 satellite module.

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The museum complex includes the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor Museum in Lincoln Park, being the largest cultural institution in San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in California.

The official name of the museum is M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, in honor of Michael Henry de Young (1849-1925), a local journalist, businessman and director of the Associated Press news agency. But usually everyone calls it by its shorter name, the de Young Museum.

The de Young Museum is an art museum in Golden Gate Park on Music Concourse, across from the California Academy of Science Museum. It is known for its anthropological collections as well as its collection of American (U.S.) painting, sculpture and decorative arts.

The museum opened in the late 19th century during the International Exhibition. Henry de Young served as chairman and co-founder of the organizing committee. The original building, also located in Golden Gate Park, had a pseudo-Egyptian appearance. After the 1906 earthquake, the building was rebuilt and reconstructed. Since 2005, the museum is housed in a new building with a towering tower. The building is finished in copper and has abstract forms, which caused active opposition from the conservative city authorities, but the persistence of the museum administration nevertheless allowed the project to be realized.

In doing so, it was possible to achieve such features of the de Young Museum as:

• Integrating the museum into the park and the park into the museum, recreating the idea of a “museum in the park.”
• to combine art and learning as two key partners for the overall renewal of Golden Gate Park;
• told the art history of both Americas as no one had ever told it before – through a dynamic narrative of objects from ancient Mesolithic America to the modern day;
• connected San Francisco to the world through diverse collections and touring exhibitions;
• affirmed that art matters to all of us, both individuals and entire communities;
• became a celebrated American museum to celebrate the city’s powerful power and diversity.

The structure is clad entirely in copper (a total of 7,602 panels of various shapes were used), and it is the largest building covered in this metal in the world.

The centerpiece of the project is a curved tower that rises above the crown of the trees in Golden Gate Park, where the museum is located. It overlooks the city and connects the building with San Francisco: the tower’s size allowed it to become a prominent element of the cityscape. Like the building itself, its striking identity will express the uniqueness of exhibitions, programs. Every visitor can climb the de Young Tower, see all parts of the city (Lincoln Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, and the business district…), and feel the sense of completeness and satisfaction of visiting a museum that has brought them to the heart of San Francisco.

Rectangular in plan, the main volume is cut by small courtyards planted with ferns. Their glass walls allowed the gardens to become part of the museum’s interior.

The museum’s current collection includes American art from the 17th through 21st centuries, international contemporary art, and textiles and costumes from Africa, the Pacific Basin, and South America.

The American collection includes 1,000 paintings, 800 sculptures and 3,000 pieces of decorative arts. Works by contemporary artists are represented by creations by David Nash, Bruce Nauman, Cornelia Parker, Sean Scully, and Piotr Abraszewski. Aboriginal art is arranged thematically rather than geographically, and this part of the collection contains 1,400 pieces.

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