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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.

The museum has zero outside funds or grants, merely being a fun personal project developed for LA couples of all ages. The fees paid to attend the museum financially maintain it.

Two factors inspired Professor Sweetman to create the museum: the lack of time spent on educating people about relationships, and her passion for museums.

“I have always felt confused as to why the research points over and over to the fact that what makes a good life is healthy connections with others, but yet we spend so little time in education on this research.”

One example of such a study would be the Harvard Longitudinal on adult growth which discovered that people’s social connections are the best way to anticipate their mental and physical health along with their life satisfaction.

“Additionally, social connections play a role in our earning potential and our ability to recover from major medical interventions such as surgery or cancer treatments. Yet unless students take a course on relationships and sexuality, which are not mandatory at most educational institutions, they are not likely to be exposed to this information or what types of behaviors maintain healthy relationships.” “It stumped me as to why Los Angeles had a Museum of Broken Relationships and a Museum of Death, but not a Museum of Love. As far as I know, I do not think there has been a major museum exhibit that focuses solely on promoting human connection. I am hopeful that the connection exhibit will eventually travel throughout the United States at some of the major science museums.”

What to Anticipate

The Museum of Love is not a traditional one with artifacts. Rather, it involves a Connection Adventure, an interactive experience aimed for couples of all ages. Sweetman describes it like this:

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 in

spire you to connect in new ways” says Sweetman.

For example, the first room has a connective theme: one of its first tasks has the partners presented with 8 houses, with each partner having to select the house they think their counterpart would prefer. After they disclose their selections, they will go around the corner to discover some insightful information related to their choice. Another room called the Romantic Forest is spacious and is either very dark and somewhat ominous or romantic depending on one’s perspective. The room is split in half: one side has tasks about connecting in reality while the other side has info and a task pertaining to tragedy.

“It is symbolizing the fact that in the beginning, your relationship is full of romance, but this cannot last forever, you will eventually be forced to face the reality of one another which will move you to a new level or your relationship will end in tragedy.”

Other tasks will answer these questions: What would your partner save from a shipwreck? Would your partner choose ketchup or mustard and why? How would

your partner view themselves in a play

ground as a child? What memories of your time together does your partner most cherish? Have you dreamed up with a couple’s bucket list? Over 45 different activities await couples. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14