Hoverboard From Back to the Future 2

What collection and vintage media wall would be complete without the addition of some choice "2015 future tech" from the eighties? That's right, this guy finally snagged a hoverboard from Back to the Future 2 thanks to my friends trip to the Calgary Comic Expo. Running errands is going to be so much faster when I'm being chased down now.

The Broad Art Museum in Los Angeles, California

The Broad is a contemporary art museum located in downtown Los Angeles, California, celebrated for its striking architecture and world-class collection of postwar and contemporary art. Opened to the public in September 2015, the museum was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who envisioned a cultural institution that would make art accessible to everyone.

Designed by the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, The Broad is known for its unique exterior, nicknamed “the veil and the vault.” The “veil” is a honeycomb-like white concrete shell that wraps around the building, allowing natural light to filter in while maintaining a sense of openness. Beneath it, the “vault” refers to the central core that houses the museum’s storage and operations.

Inside, The Broad offers 50,000 square feet of gallery space across two floors. The museum is home to over 2,000 works of art, one of the most significant collections of contemporary art in the world. Highlights include pieces by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, and Jeff Koons, among many others.

The Broad has become a key cultural destination in Los Angeles, both for its impressive collection and its architectural innovation. Located next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, it contributes to a vibrant arts corridor in the city. By combining public access with bold design and a powerful collection, The Broad represents a new model for contemporary art museums.

John Lennon, The Dakota & Strawberry Fields

On December 8, 1980 John Lennon was murdered outside of his home at the Dakota at 1 West 72 Street on the Upper West Side in New York City. The nearby Strawberry Fields and Imagine Mosaic in Central Park were built as a memorial to the iconic musician and Beatles singer, and to this day you'll still find fans and buskers paying tribute to Lennon and his music here. 

 

Graduate Minneapolis Hotel in Minnesota

In the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' and on the campus of the University of Minnesota, you'll find the Graduate Minneapolis Hotel. From key cards that resemble student IDs to decor that takes inspiration from Minnesotan activities like fishing, snowshoeing, and hockey, the upbeat and trendy designs of the Graduate Minneapolis playfully remind you exactly where you are.
  

Graduate Hotels are located in college towns across the United States, and each have their own signature, location-specific designs that make for some really engaging spaces to explore. At the Graduate Minneapolis this was reflected in bold choices, like a central chandelier made out of fishing net and lures, to kitschy additions like a vintage portrait of Loni Anderson (who was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota) that hung in my room. As a travel photographer it should surprise no one that these visual touches all won me over. My stay at the Graduate Minneapolis was A+.