By Tequila Mockingbird
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/7/25 – This summer, the Getty Center immerses visitors in a dialogue between art and identity with “$3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives.” As the museum’s first exclusively queer-focused exhibition, it spans LGBTQ+ history from the 1900s to the present, weaving together archival materials, photos, drag ball documents, and powerful artworks by icons like Félix González-Torres and Harmony Hammond. It’s a bold, multi-era presentation that invites guests to explore stories too long hidden—and it’s on view through September 28.
In parallel, “Queer Lens: A History of Photography” (June 17–September 28, 2025) provides a visual counterpart to the queer narrative. This exhibition examines how photography has shaped and reinforced LGBTQ+ expression, from the discreet homoerotic clues of the 19th century to today’s expansive identities. Meanwhile, “Artemisia Gentileschi’s Strong Women” (June 10–September 14, 2025) centers on the conservation of a newly discovered Gentileschi painting—thematically paired with her other works that honor strong female figures in art.
Earlier in the year, visitors could explore “Gustave Caillebotte: Painting Men” (February 25–May 25, 2025)—a striking exhibit celebrating the French Impressionist’s unique focus on masculinity and everyday modern men. Meanwhile, “María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold” (February 11–May 4, 2025) presented a vivid, sensory exploration of migration, memory, and labor through multimedia works tracing her Afro-Cuban heritage.
Adding creative synergy to its exhibition’s lineup, Getty’s Off the 405 summer concert series brings a pulse of live music to the museum’s architecture. Kicking off with SML and followed by artists like Mabe Fratti, Madi Diaz, Empress Of, and Emile Mosseri, these concerts transform Saturday evenings into vibrant intersections of sight and sound.
Getty Villa Reopens: Ancient Worlds Rekindled
After enduring the destructive Palisades Fire in January, the Getty Villa triumphantly reopened on June 27. While the grounds suffered, the museum’s iconic structure and its collection of antiquities remained unscathed, thanks to dedicated staff and firefighters. Patrons can now explore the new exhibition “The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Ancient Greece,” featuring 230 rare Mycenaean artifacts. Attendance is limited and reservation-based, but the experience feels like returning to a timeless sanctuary.
Altogether, this season at the Getty is defined by renewal and revelation—progressive exhibitions spotlighting queer heritage and female strength, a reconnection with classical history at the Villa, and summer nights enlivened by melody. It’s a dynamic reflection of how art, identity, and community continue to evolve in Los Angeles.
