The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City is by far the most random place I've yet to visit in Los Angeles. The museum's official website describes the museum as "an educational institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the public appreciation of the Lower Jurassic." That would be a perfectly legitimate description if the museum had anything to do with the geological Jurassic Period, but it doesn't. If anyone can tell me what "Lower Jurassic" this refers to, I'm all ears. Honestly, I have the sneaking suspicion that the whole place is one big inside joke. If it is not, I apologize to the museum's founders and employees, and I am clearly missing something. Please do explain.
Some of the museum's eclectic displays include a collection of items from American trailer parks, microscopic mosaics made from butterfly wing scales, a tribute to the dogs of the Soviet Space Program, and a carving of Pope John Paul II that sits in the eye of a needle (my personal favorite).
My usual companion for random adventures accompanied me to the museum on a Saturday afternoon. The museum nearly disappears amongst the storefronts of Venice Blvd. I don't think we would have even noticed it had we not been looking it. It was a rare overcast day, adding to the drama of this fictional like menagerie of curiosities. The front door was locked and had a button with a simple sign that read, "ring for admittance." We did so, expecting Lurch to answer. Rather, we were greeted by a small, soft spoken young man that I can best describe as "emo." He welcomed us into a small, dimly lit foyer.
After signing into the guest book, we entered the belly of the whale. The whole place was dark, winding, and claustrophobic. The biggest mood setter of all was the sounds; in the distance we could hear eerie chiming bells. In the first small chamber stood a taxidermy fox in a spotlight, and from the fox emanated sounds of cackling. If this wasn't creepy enough, when I looked through the special viewer, it looked as if there was a tiny laughing man inside the fox's head.
We spent just over an hour exploring the nooks and crannies of the museum, but I would suggest giving yourself more time to enjoy a cup of tea in the Tula Tea Room and a short film in the Borzoi Kabinet Theater.
I may not entirely understand the purpose behind The Museum of Jurassic Technology, but that's not to say I don't appreciate it. The place strikes me as one big art installation in that it evokes emotion. You have to experience it for yourself.
The Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
310-836-6131
www.mjt.org
Hours:
Thur 2pm-8pm
Fri-Sun 12pm-6pm
Suggested donation of $5
Some of the museum's eclectic displays include a collection of items from American trailer parks, microscopic mosaics made from butterfly wing scales, a tribute to the dogs of the Soviet Space Program, and a carving of Pope John Paul II that sits in the eye of a needle (my personal favorite).
My usual companion for random adventures accompanied me to the museum on a Saturday afternoon. The museum nearly disappears amongst the storefronts of Venice Blvd. I don't think we would have even noticed it had we not been looking it. It was a rare overcast day, adding to the drama of this fictional like menagerie of curiosities. The front door was locked and had a button with a simple sign that read, "ring for admittance." We did so, expecting Lurch to answer. Rather, we were greeted by a small, soft spoken young man that I can best describe as "emo." He welcomed us into a small, dimly lit foyer.
After signing into the guest book, we entered the belly of the whale. The whole place was dark, winding, and claustrophobic. The biggest mood setter of all was the sounds; in the distance we could hear eerie chiming bells. In the first small chamber stood a taxidermy fox in a spotlight, and from the fox emanated sounds of cackling. If this wasn't creepy enough, when I looked through the special viewer, it looked as if there was a tiny laughing man inside the fox's head.
We spent just over an hour exploring the nooks and crannies of the museum, but I would suggest giving yourself more time to enjoy a cup of tea in the Tula Tea Room and a short film in the Borzoi Kabinet Theater.
I may not entirely understand the purpose behind The Museum of Jurassic Technology, but that's not to say I don't appreciate it. The place strikes me as one big art installation in that it evokes emotion. You have to experience it for yourself.
The Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
310-836-6131
www.mjt.org
Hours:
Thur 2pm-8pm
Fri-Sun 12pm-6pm
Suggested donation of $5
3 comments:
Erik I absolutely love that you've started a blog about things to do in LA.... Having gone on an adventure or two with you in my day, I know how great this blog is going to be, and if I ever come back, I'm totally going to the Pig Mural!
That sounds like an..interesting place! When I was home for Thanksgiving I found my journal from our Russia trip...we had so much fun! Except for the square dancing :P But I think even that was kind of fun, now that I look back on it :)
Dynah
http://baliwhat.wordpress.com
I found this entry while researching the Museum on the internet. I went today for the first time & found it thrilling. Yes, I think it is largely an experience experiment. The Wikipedia article regarding offers some insight into the museum's foundation & purpose: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Jurassic_Technology
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