BCAM/LACMA/2008: The Broad Contemporary Art Museum at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

BCAM/LACMA/2008 marks the opening of LACMA's new three-story contemporary-art building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. The centerpiece of the book is the fascinating--and hitherto largely untold--history of contemporary art at LACMA, written by Lynn Zelevansky, Curator of Contemporary Art. Zelevansky's 26,000-word essay is profusely illustrated with signature works from the collection and numerous historical and documentary photographs. In addition, an essay by LACMA's Director, Michael Govan, explores the synergetic enrichment of the museum's contemporary holdings by the world-famous collection of Eli and Edythe Broad, illustrated with 30 full-page reproductions of masterworks and recent acquisitions. A conversation with Govan, Broad and Piano provides intimate background details on the entire collaborative building process, from idea through funding, design and execution. As a unique contribution to the volume, four Los Angeles artists were commissioned to respond to the building project with a photography project. Anthony Hernandez provided a portfolio of elegant abstractions. Sharon Lockhart photographed the process of archaeological excavation from the underlying tar pits. The Center for Land Use Interpretation journeyed to the far-flung quarries and mines that were the sources of the construction materials. And Uta Barth discovered spaces of beauty and mystery within the unfinished building. BCAM/LACMA/2008 is not only a celebration of a significant moment, but also an in-depth look at a vital, growing institution.