Meet the Man Visiting 800 Museums in LA
1Digest
Todd LaRue is undertaking an ambitious project to visit over 800 museums in the greater Los Angeles area, inspired by a similar endeavor in New York. His fascination with unique roadside attractions and folk art environments, stemming from childhood, fuels this quest. The project involves defining the broad geographical scope of "greater LA" and the criteria for what constitutes a museum, acknowledging the inherent gray areas. LaRue emphasizes the significant time commitment and the joy of deep exploration, likening it to visiting every library branch to gain a comprehensive understanding of a place. He remains enthusiastic, continually discovering new, unknown museums. In a lightning round, he shares his picks for overrated (Instagram museums), underrated (Antelope Valley Indian Museum), and most surprising (Museum of the Republic of Vietnam) institutions. The conversation delves into the Antelope Valley Indian Museum's unique architecture and history, the significance of the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam in preserving diaspora history, and niche collections like the Street Lighting Museum and Valley Relics Museum. LaRue also reveals other completist projects, including visiting every incorporated city in California and collecting library cards. Ultimately, he finds the journey of exploration and connection more rewarding than the completion of any single project.
Outlines
Todd LaRue's Ambitious Museum Project and Its Origins
The podcast introduces Todd LaRue's project to visit all 800+ museums in the greater Los Angeles area, inspired by a similar New York endeavor. His childhood fascination with roadside attractions and folk art environments led him from music composition to exploring unique museums.
Defining the Scope: "Greater LA" and "Museum" Criteria
The discussion addresses the challenges of defining "greater Los Angeles" to include surrounding counties and establishing criteria for what qualifies as a museum, acknowledging the subjective nature of these definitions.
The Dedication of a Completist and Ongoing Discoveries
Todd highlights the immense time commitment of his project and his passion for thorough exploration, emphasizing that new discoveries, like the Caltrans Museum, keep the quest engaging and ongoing.
Museum Highlights and Deep Dives
Todd shares his top museum picks, including the underrated Antelope Valley Indian Museum, the surprising Museum of the Republic of Vietnam, the niche Street Lighting Museum, and the Valley Relics Museum, discussing their unique contributions and histories.
Beyond Museums: Other Completist Pursuits and the Joy of the Journey
Todd reveals other ambitious projects, such as visiting every incorporated city in California and collecting library cards. He reflects on his completist drive, valuing the process of exploration and connection over mere project completion.
Keywords
Museum Exploration
The act of visiting and documenting museums, often with a specific goal or theme, such as visiting every museum in a region or focusing on unique and unexpected institutions. This involves research, travel, and a deep dive into local history and culture.
Completism
A behavioral trait characterized by an obsessive desire to complete a task, collection, or project. In this context, it drives the extensive and systematic exploration of museums and other points of interest.
Los Angeles Museums
A diverse array of cultural institutions within the greater Los Angeles area, ranging from large, well-known institutions to small, niche, and community-based collections, each offering unique insights into art, history, science, and culture.
Antelope Valley Indian Museum
A state historic park located in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County, featuring Native American artifacts and art, with a unique history and ongoing efforts to present cultural heritage respectfully.
Museum of the Republic of Vietnam
An institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history, culture, and military heritage of the former Republic of Vietnam, providing a crucial perspective for the Vietnamese diaspora.
Valley Relics Museum
A museum located in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, dedicated to preserving the history and built environment of the region, featuring a vast collection of neon signs, ephemera, and artifacts from local businesses.
Folk Art Environments
Unique, often self-taught, artistic creations that are typically found in vernacular or rural settings. These can include elaborate sculptures, decorated buildings, or entire landscapes made by individuals as a form of personal expression.
Museology
The study of museums, including their history, function, and management. It involves understanding museum collections, exhibition practices, conservation, and the role of museums in society and education.
Q&A
What inspired Todd LaRue to start his ambitious project of visiting every museum in Los Angeles?
Todd's inspiration stemmed from his childhood interest in unique roadside attractions and a desire to explore the less-obvious cultural offerings of Los Angeles, similar to a previous project in New York City.
How does Todd define the geographical scope of "greater Los Angeles" for his museum project?
Todd includes not only Los Angeles city and county but also Orange County, Ventura County, and the Inland Empire, encompassing a vast and diverse region for his exploration.
What challenges arise when defining what constitutes a "museum" for Todd's project?
There's no universally accepted definition. Todd considers various factors like collections, educational focus (children's museums), non-profit status (including for-profit company museums), public accessibility, and volunteer-run operations, often using a flexible approach.
Can you describe the Antelope Valley Indian Museum and why it's considered underrated?
Located in a remote desert area, this museum is housed in a unique bungalow built into rocks. It showcases Native American artifacts collected by its founder and is undergoing a process to present exhibits more respectfully and collaboratively with tribes.
What makes the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam a surprising find?
It offers a perspective on the Vietnam War often overlooked in American discourse, focusing on the history and struggles of South Vietnam and its diaspora, providing a powerful and personal connection for visitors.
What are some of Todd LaRue's other "completist" projects?
Besides museums, Todd is working on visiting every incorporated city in California, collecting library cards from every system in the state, and visiting every fire station in Los Angeles County.
Show Notes
Todd Lerew has spent a decade visiting every single museum in Los Angeles. He chronicled his journey in his book Also on View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles.
Check out Todd’s map of the museums at Everymuseum.la. Plus, listen to our episode with Jane August who is undertaking a similar project in NYC.
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