The Old de Young Museum

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the old de Young to the extent that, although "safe" for normal operations, could not be insured for blockbuster exhibitions, the lifeblood of their revenue stream. So the decision was made to demolish the venerable old building and rebuild from the ground up. After years of bitter conflict, the new de Young opened on October 15, 2005.

The old de Young Tower

de New de Young

As you can see, the new deYoung is completely different in every possible way from the old deYoung. The design aroused controversy from the first moment it was unveiled. There are people who bitterly hate it to this day, even though critics have hailed the new building with rave reviews.

The New de Young Tower

Opening Weekend - Saturday, 11:45 PM

The controversial new de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park re-opened the weekend of October 15. The museum was open for free for 36 hours straight. I worked the graveyard shift from Midnight Saturday night to 8AM Sunday morning with my friend Coni.** We naively thought we would go in a little early & tour the museum before our shift started. We had no idea what was going on, but as we drew closer we began to wonder if we could even get into the garage. The congestion was unbelievable. After fighting our way through traffic and parking the car, we weren't allowed to enter where we were told. This is the scene that greeted us at at the front of the museum 11:45 pm as we struggled to get to our posts.

**we are volunteers

Deceptively Calm

Wilsey Court from the top of the Grand Staircase, 1:00 AM Sunday, October 16, 2005. Outside the line to get into the museum was backed up all the way to Stanyan Blvd. People waited in line three to four hours to get in. Teenagers were trying to climb the tower from the outside. People exiting the museum were trying to get back in(initially you were granted re-admittance if you had the green commemorative bracelet). That policy had to be abandoned when it was discovered that people were selling their bracelets to people in line so they could jump to the front. Downstairs, famous DJs were giving free concerts and people were doing insane things to try and get in. Meanwhile, all was serene in enormous Wilsey Court except for people sliding down the banister or playing crack the whip.

Flamboyant

A San Francisco resident. After stoically doing my duty as Information Person Patrolling Wilsey Court I couldn't stand it another minute and grabbed my camera to capture this colorful character. He couldn't have been more gracious and cheerfully posed in front of the daunting Gerhard Richter mural.

Shameless Heather

Shameless Heather, a very charming lady, inspired a LOT of bad behavior. At one time she was dancing in the windows overlooking Wilsey Court. Stimulated by her example but lacking her fabulous costume other people substituted their bare bottoms and mooned the crowd below. (Alas, as a representative of The Establishment I refrained from encouraging this rakish behavior by taking pictures. I'm sorry now, of course.)

About 5:15am. Shameless Heather's departure was a sort of tipping point. The Party People gradually gave way to the Early Rising Granola Pilgrims. The entire tenor of the crowd changed from about 5:30 am on. Actual art lovers began to appear. (Not to imply that there weren't art lovers at night. There were, there were. They were just in the minority.)

Pretty in Pink

Party girls dressed for a great time. This was about 3am.

Buddhist Blessing

The museum was blessed by diverse groups from Native Americans to Buddhists. Very true to the spirit of San Francisco. Entertainment & ceremonies went on all day and night.

Survivor

My friend Candice took my picture in the entry courtyard after I went off duty at 8am. I'm sitting on a work of art--Andy Goldsworth's Drawn Stone. See the crack at my feet? It's part of the "faultline" which runs unbroken from the curb throughout the paving stones and seating blocks in the entry courtyard & symbolizes California's fraught topography.

Cantilever

This massive cantilever overhangs the cafe patio. It's supposed to balance the mass of the tower. Whatever. The whole time the museum was being built I thought the cantilever was the entrance to the museum. Not.

After having spent the entire night in austere Wilsey Court I was astonished to emerge into this splendid day. Golden Gate Park is in a very foggy part of the city so it was amazing luck to have dazzling weather for Opening Weekend.
(Sculpture: Pierced Monolith with Colour, 1965, by Barbara Hepworth)

Ouch I

Claes Oldenberg's giant safety pin.

Ouch II

Second view of Claes Oldenberg's giant safety pin.

Sunday Afternoon Line

By late afternoon the line to get into the museum was probably only about a quarter-mile long. After having worked the graveyard shift, gone home & napped & returned again in the afternoon, I can tell you for sure--this line is NOTHING compared to the lines during the night. Although the museum isn't in sight from here, it's not that far away.

Making Friends

Wish I'd seen the baby's face! The horse seems pretty interested. By this time of day the crowd was pretty docile.

Mad Hatter

The first time I saw these cool hats (no two the same)was on two LOLs. I thought they were from a tour group or something. Turns out one of the Opening Day attractions was an artist creating these hats. The grounds of the museum were like a carnival. This was at 3:00 pm on Sunday.

Outside Looking In

Figures on the Observation Floor of the controversial tower can be seen through the treetops of the park. People are more curious about the tower than any other feature of the museum. Many people are really disappointed that the public isn't allowed to climb the stairs, which can be viewed so tantalizingly through the perforated copper skin of the tower.

Inside Looking Out

I didn't even attempt to go up in the Tower on Opening Day. This picture was taken several weeks earlier when very few people knew it was possible to go to the tower. As a volunteer I observed the universal reaction of every person who stepped out of the elevator onto the Observation Floor: "Wow!" The floor-to-ceiling windows freak some people out. One woman took two steps out of the elevator, turned white, and retreated right back into the elevator, overwhelmed by her fear of heights.

Twisty Tower

De Young's signature tower looms above the not-quite-finished "Pool of Enchantment," where the water is brown and barren & the plants haven't quite filled in yet. One day it'll be enchanting, I'm sure.

Return of the Sphinxes

Riding the Sphinx

The two sphinxes were beloved features of the old de Young and were happily welcomed back.

Learning Art Appreciation at a Tender Age

Charming scene in the Sculpture Garden of the new de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
(Sculpture: Two Piece Reclining Figure #9 1968 by Henry Moore.)

Origami

People helping themselves to vibrant origami pieces. I don't know who created them. They must have been among the many art projects going on all day. I was too sleep-deprived to seek information. I just soaked in the sights.

Maypole Dancers

How 'Bout Them Apples!

I'm not sure how they achieved these wonderful fall colors in time for the Big Opening. I kept returning to the Sculpture Garden all day. It was beautiful and peaceful there by contrast to the madness outside.
(Sculpture: Apples, 2005 by Gustav & Ulla Kraitz)

Three Figures in the Garden

Sculpture: Conversation Piece V (Three Figures), 2001 by Juan Munoz

Graceful

This is a wonderful piece. Sculpture: Conversation Piece V (Three Figures), 2001 by Juan Munoz

Showtime!

Baby ballerinas waiting in the entry courtyard of the de Young for their big entrance on the so-called World Stage in front of the museum. Awww. So cute.

Chaos at Closing

The information desk at the new deYoung 8 minutes before final closing of the opening weekend gala.

36 Hours Later

The de Young tower at 5:00 pm, October 16, 2005. I reluctantly tore myself away as the Opening Weekend drew to a close.