CULTURE: THE NORTON SIMON MUSEUM Norton Simon Museum How our Public Environment Displays our Culture From its gardens to the design of the museum, the Norton Museum is a reflection of the rich talent in California. Its design and external appearance is credited to the work of local contemporary artists as well as local architects and designers. The garden is a reflection of the great thought taken in the selection of vegetation as well as the landscaping of the paths, the cafeteria and paths for taking walks. With a variety of greenery from ferns to trees to different types of bushes, the garden creates a modern version of the outdoors; allowing revelers to enjoy the shade that the tree over as well as the serene atmosphere created. One of the most alluring sights is the sculpture garden that borders the pond. Unique sculptures are placed in different parts of the garden. They help to create an atmosphere that reflects creativity and true tranquility. The sculpture garden is truly an oasis resplendent of human emotion and expression. This museum is a work of art in itself. Designed by local architects under the instructions of Walter Hopps, the museum was designed in 1962. Hopps was the curator at the time. The modern curvilinear façade glazed in tiles of varying brown hues was made by Edith Heath. She was known for her work as a ceramic artisan. The museum is a representation of the talent of locals as well as an avenue for opening up the local community to the world of art on an international scale. Sadly, Hopps resigned before the completion of the museum. The Museum A museum is an avenue of expression not just for the artist but for the locale. It represents a heritage and a history of an area while at the same time illuminating talent for the benefit of those that love it and those that live it. Without it, there would be a vacuum. However, its survival is hinged on its ability to make revenue. As such, its displays of art must help it meet this need and not just that of the artist to have their work seen. The Norton Simon Museum is an art museum. Located in Pasadena California, it is one of the recommended tourist attractions for any art lover. The museum has a wide collection of more than eleven thousand pieces. Its collections include European paintings, Asian sculptures, sculpture gardens, woodblock prints and tapestries. The museum has a distinctive brown tile exterior that attracts a passerby’s attention. The museum has been in existence since 1953. However, back then, it was known as the Pasadena Art Institute. Named after its locality, it later became the Pasadena Art Museum after receiving over 400 German Expressionist pieces from a collector. At the time, the museum was the only one that had progressive art exhibits. This helped it gain popularity among art lovers in the area since the other modern art museums were in San Francisco and La Jolla at the time. Norton Simon came into the picture in 1970. He needed a pl.

1. CULTURE: THE NORTON SIMON MUSEUM
Norton Simon Museum
How our Public Environment Displays our Culture
From its gardens to the design of the museum, the Norton
Museum is a reflection of the rich talent in California. Its
design and external appearance is credited to the work of local
contemporary artists as well as local architects and designers.
The garden is a reflection of the great thought taken in the
selection of vegetation as well as the landscaping of the paths,
the cafeteria and paths for taking walks. With a variety of
greenery from ferns to trees to different types of bushes, the
garden creates a modern version of the outdoors; allowing
revelers to enjoy the shade that the tree over as well as the
serene atmosphere created.
One of the most alluring sights is the sculpture garden that
borders the pond. Unique sculptures are placed in different parts
of the garden. They help to create an atmosphere that reflects
creativity and true tranquility. The sculpture garden is truly an
oasis resplendent of human emotion and expression.
This museum is a work of art in itself. Designed by local
architects under the instructions of Walter Hopps, the museum
was designed in 1962. Hopps was the curator at the time. The
modern curvilinear façade glazed in tiles of varying brown hues
was made by Edith Heath. She was known for her work as a
ceramic artisan. The museum is a representation of the talent of
locals as well as an avenue for opening up the local community
to the world of art on an international scale. Sadly, Hopps
resigned before the completion of the museum.

2. The Museum
A museum is an avenue of expression not just for the artist but
for the locale. It represents a heritage and a history of an area
while at the same time illuminating talent for the benefit of
those that love it and those that live it. Without it, there would
be a vacuum. However, its survival is hinged on its ability to
make revenue. As such, its displays of art must help it meet this
need and not just that of the artist to have their work seen.
The Norton Simon Museum is an art museum. Located in
Pasadena California, it is one of the recommended tourist
attractions for any art lover. The museum has a wide collection
of more than eleven thousand pieces. Its collections include
European paintings, Asian sculptures, sculpture gardens,
woodblock prints and tapestries. The museum has a distinctive
brown tile exterior that attracts a passerby’s attention.
The museum has been in existence since 1953. However, back
then, it was known as the Pasadena Art Institute. Named after
its locality, it later became the Pasadena Art Museum after
receiving over 400 German Expressionist pieces from a
collector. At the time, the museum was the only one that had
progressive art exhibits. This helped it gain popularity among
art lovers in the area since the other modern art museums were
in San Francisco and La Jolla at the time.
Norton Simon came into the picture in 1970. He needed a place
to display his enormous collection of pieces and the museum
needed help to get out of the financial problems it was in. The
symbiotic relationship worked for both parties but it led to the
loss of the only contemporary art museum in the area since
Simon’s pieces occupied most of the space.
How it appears to Public

3. At first glance, an observer will easily identify the building
because of its unique architecture and the beautiful brown tiles
that cover the exterior walls of the museum. The Norton Simon
Museum displays modern art. This is one of its core appealing
elements to its revelers. The museum is also known for
supporting local contemporary artists. It provides them with an
avenue to showcase their work to the world. Some of the local
artists that have displayed their work at the museum include
Helen Lundeberg, John McLaughlin and Sam Francis. Their
works are a reflection of the rich heritage that the area has. The
cafe serves as an excellent marketing strategy. It allows the
museum to accommodate people from all walks of life. Art
lovers and those simply looking for a place to grab a quick bite
are able to enjoy the beautiful sculpted garden and landscaping.
As the museum represents a piece of the area’s history, it is a
valuable site. Its shows have helped to put the area on the map
as one of the places to be for any art lovers. The wide array of
services that it offers makes it appealing to people from all
walks of life and from any part of the world.
The display at the museum represents contemporary modern art.
This however does not imply that it does not accommodate
many other groups in society. The café located next to the
sculpted gardens attracts both art lovers and people who just
want to get a bite to eat. It is a great marketing strategy for the
museum. While the customers have a meal, they get to enjoy the
serene surroundings, view unique sculptures and take in a great
view of the garden with its varying flowers and greenery.
Without the museum, California would be missing an iconic
building representing years of history and many great works of
art. It is truly a piece of history that has been integral to the
development of the art community in the area as well as the
bringing together of people from different walks of life be they
art lovers or people just looking for a place where they can

4. relax, grab a bite and take a walk in a beautiful garden.
THE NORTON SIMON MUSEUM
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