WE DON'T ALWAYS LEAVE DTLA...by Diego De LA Parra
VOL 14 NO 5 - SEPTEMBER 17TH - SEPTEMBER 23RD / DTLAWEEKLY.COM 11
we don’t always leave dtla... but when we do... crimes of passion opens at the museum of love In late 2019, Amy Sweetman, a professor who has taught Psychology, Neuroscience, and the Psychology of Sexuality for 25 years, conceived the Museum of Love. Located at 4320 Melrose Avenue.
nship. Upon arrival, each couple will receive a special memory book to record their unique experiences. In each section of the museum, individuals will be presented with activities that allow them to uncover new insights about one another. Their time with us will be enlightening and full of surprises. We believe the takeaways will be transformational, as couples will have new appreciation of the dynamic intricacies of one another.” There are nine different sections of the museum, involving loneliness, romance, intimacy and even storms. “Each room is filled with interactive activities to inspire you to connect in new ways” says Sweetman.
For example, the first room has a connective theme: one of its first tasks has the The museum has zero outside funds or partners presented with 8 houses, with grants, merely being a fun personal project each partner having to select the house developed for LA couples of all ages. The “It stumped me as to why Los Angeles had they think their counterpart would prefer. fees paid to attend the museum financially a Museum of Broken Relationships and After they disclose their selections, they maintain it. a Museum of Death, but not a Museum of will go around the corner to discover some Love. As far as I know, I do not think there insightful information related to their Two factors inspired Professor Sweetman has been a major museum exhibit that choice. to create the museum: the lack of time focuses solely on promoting human spent on educating people about relation- connection. I am hopeful that the conAnother room called the Romantic Forest ships, and her passion for museums. is spacious and is either very dark and nection exhibit will eventually travel throughout the United States at some of somewhat ominous or romantic depending “I have always felt confused as to why on one’s perspective. The room is split in the major science museums.” the research points over and over to half: one side has tasks about connecting the fact that what makes a good life is in reality while the other side has info and healthy connections with others, but a task pertaining to tragedy. yet we spend so little time in education on this research.” “It is symbolizing the fact that in the beginning, your relationship is full of roOne example of such a study would be mance, but this cannot last forever, you the Harvard Longitudinal on adult growth will eventually be forced to face the which discovered that people’s social reality of one another which will move connections are the best way to anticipate you to a new level or your relationship their mental and physical health along will end in tragedy.” with their life satisfaction. Other tasks will answer these questions: “Additionally, social connections play What would your partner save from a a role in our earning potential and our shipwreck? Would your partner choose ability to recover from major medical ketchup or mustard and why? How would interventions such as surgery or canyour partner view themselves in a playcer treatments. Yet unless students take What to Anticipate ground as a child? What memories of a course on relationships and sexualyour time together does your partner most The Museum of Love is not a traditionity, which are not mandatory at most cherish? Have you dreamed up with a coual one with artifacts. Rather, it involves educational institutions, they are not ple’s bucket list? Over 45 different activia Connection Adventure, an interactive likely to be exposed to this information ties await couples. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 experience aimed for couples of all ages. or what types of behaviors maintain Sweetman describes it like this: healthy relationships.”
