Culture & Cocktails focuses on architecture from Louis Kahn

To the delight of art and cocktail lovers citywide, San Diego Museum of Art’s popular Culture & Cocktails returns on Nov.17. For the first time ever, the theme circulates around an architecture exhibition, by the famous Louis Kahn.

Always engaging guests with activities, this C&C will feature giant Jenga, along with opportunities to build-your-own structure in the “Blockitecture Room,” and to create your own brooch or bowtie from Legos. Budding architects can capture the evening with a skyscraper photo booth and enter a photo contest, using the #SDMACC hashtag in their post. Those needing a refresher can sip on “KAHNtemplation” - made with Venus gin, fresh lime juice, orange simple syrup and Angostura bitters - while swaying to the live music of The Procrastinators.

PACIFIC got the inside scoop from Sarah Grossman, manager of Special Events and Culture & Cocktails at The San Diego Museum of Art:

What makes this particular Culture & Cocktails special?

The exhibition in-part celebrates the Salk Institute, a local architectural masterpiece, and San Diegans are very proud to have one of Kahn’s masterpieces in La Jolla. This is the first C&C ever themed off an architecture exhibition, it was a fun challenge to think outside of the box for this particular event.

What is something unique that they will experience this time (outside of the obvious theme difference)?

Attendees will be the first to find out the theme for the next Culture & Cocktails on February 16. For the first time, the Museum is asking the public to vote on three themes (Wild Wild West, Jetset or Persian Nights) through this online poll, and the winning theme will be announced at this Culture & Cocktails.

Why Louis Kahn?

Louis Kahn was one of the United States’ greatest 20th century architects. His work ranges from iconic American projects like the Salk Institute in La Jolla and the Library at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire to his international work in Dhaka, Bangladesh where Kahn designed the National Assembly building in 1982.

What will visitors see in the exhibition?

Over 200 objects related to Louis Kahn’s selected buildings and projects in the form of architectural models, plans, original drawings, photographs, and films.

Visitors will get to see the power of architecture as an art form through this exhibition, while also having the unique opportunity to visit the Salk Institute in La Jolla to experience one of Kahn’s most famous architectural masterpieces in person.

Favorite quote from Louis Kahn?

“The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building,” and “Even a brick wants to be something.”

Presale e-tickets are $5 for members and $25 for non-members when bought in advance online by 2 p.m. the day of the event. Pending availability, tickets are $35 at the door.

To vote and purchase tickets, visit sdmart.org.

The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931