Skirball Cultural Center
Sepulveda Pass
Los Angeles
October 30, 2021
We trekked up to Los Angeles the day before Halloween to see Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds at the Skirball. We met up with Meredith’s sister Kathleen in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. This was only our second indoor museum visit since March 2020. It still feels a little awkward, but also a pleasure returning to old routines.
We have always enjoyed Star Trek, in its various incarnations, and we enjoyed this exhibition. At the start there is a large timeline on the wall, showing the timing of various events in the fictional Star Trek future. Excellent short videos are spread out in spots around the gallery, which include comments by actors and writers from the several Star Trek series, along with other commentators.
The display cases throughout the gallery house items such as spaceship models used in filming, costumes, set pieces, and props.
The original Star Trek series enjoys pride of place, but all of the TV series and films are covered. The exhibition also puts the optimism of that first series in context, against the backdrop of what was happening in the 1960’s – the Vietnam War, space exploration, and civil rights protests.
The Star Trek exhibition has timed admission. We arrived a little early and looked through the permanent collection, Visions and Values, for a while. We each liked the outdoor reproduction of the third century synagogue at Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee.
Meredith splurged at the gift shop, then we enjoyed a late lunch with Kathleen at Zeidler’s, the museum cafe. The food was excellent, as always. Zeidler’s is our favorite museum restaurant.
The Star Trek exhibition will run through February 20, 2022. Admission requires advance reservations, and COVID protocols are in place. Visitors must show proof of vaccination, along with matching photo identification. Parking is free and accessibility is good.
The Los Angeles Times’ review of the exhibition can be read here.
