Money is tight right now for most people, including myself. While on a budget agendas run slim for people living in Los Angeles, but that doesn't have to be the case. I'm here to tell you what you can do for 20 bucks. Not bad, right? Let's make $20 stretch for an amazing day, instead of having the money fly out of your pocket in 20 minutes. So today's agenda: Metro to Art In The Streets at Geffen Contemporary at the MOCA.
Transportation
=$6
First, start with the metro. I know everyone drives in L.A., but with the outrageous gas prices start checking out other options, and the metro is a great one. Six dollars for a day pass can get you from Redondo Beach to San Bernardino Valley. If you time it right you can get from Redondo Beach to downtown LA in an hour, while skipping all that horrible 405 traffic. Plus, you get to experience LA in its entirety; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Part of the beauty is every metro stop has various works of art. It doesn’t matter what city you are in you will always have something cool to look at.
Meal
=$5
Most of us will have to pass through Union Station to get to the Geffen Contemporary at the MOCA. You will need to jump on the Gold Line to head one stop south to Little Tokyo. But, before you do make sure you grab a bite to eat at Union Station. There are many modern amenities such as Subway, Wetzel's Pretzels, and Starbucks. Anyone up for a five dollar foot long? It’s the perfect on the go meal. Eat while you can because after you jump on the gold line there won't be many places to eat on a budget.
Main Attraction
=$5 or
$10
Once you hop off the gold line at Little Tokyo you are right across the street from your main attraction, Art in the Streets at Geffen Contemporary at the MOCA. This is the very first major U.S. museum exhibition of graffiti and street art. The MOCA traces the development of graffiti and street art from the 1970's to today. The show is enlightening and powerfully put together. After visiting the exhibit you will have a new found appreciate for street art. And an added plus, Mondays are now being sponsored by Banksy, which means for the rest of the duration of the exhibit Mondays will now be free. Quoted by the MOCA, Bansky says, “I don't think you should have to pay to look at graffiti. You should only pay if you want to get rid of it.” If you are unable to visit Art In The Streets on a Monday, general admissions is $10 or if you can find your college ID then Students get in for $5.
You need to head down to the MOCA ASAP because Art in the Streets will only be open to the public until August 8, 2011. This is a show you simply don't want to miss. My pictures really don't give it justice, so get down there and experience it for yourself. Plan accordingly and get there early, because I guarantee you will be spending most of your day here. And for you slackers who don't make it to Art In The Streets, don't fret because there are many new exhibits shown at each of the three MOCA museums monthly. You can still make a great budget day by seeing any of the other exhibits on display.
Exhibits:
- Andy Warhol – Campbell's Soup Cans
- MOCA GRAND AVENUE
- 250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- 07/09/11 - 09/07/11
- George Herms – Xenophilia (Love of the Unknown)
- MOCA PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER
- 8687 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069
- 07/10/11 - 10/02/11
- Under The Black Sun: California Art 1974- 81
- THE GEFFEN CONTEMPORARY AT MOCA
- 152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013
- 10/01/11 - 02/13/12
Monday =$11
w/Student ID =$16
General Admission =$21
After the MOCA jump back on the Metro with your day pass and you are on your way home. A solid 20 dollar day in LA.
Author: Amber Hullibarger
HR/Administrative Assistant at Eat.Sleep.Work. Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, Amber enjoys the simple leisures in life. Follow on Twitter @eatsleepwork