The building, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, provides a perfect container to the ever-changing collection of 20th century painting and sculpture, a collection that constantly challenges the viewer to see what's really there.
This collection includes a white and gold porcelain sculpture that, on first glance, appears to be a religious icon holding a child.
However, upon closer examination, it is actually revealed to be Michael Jackson with a monkey.
The museum also includes a Lichtenstein print of multicolored polka dots -- close up, they're gibberish, but from a distance, they actually create an image of Rouen Cathedral in France.
Another image by Andy Warhol silk-screens multiple images of Elizabeth Taylor from "National Velvet."
And also, one artist parroted Leonardo di Vinci's "The Last Supper" by recreating it in caramel. Inspired or heretical, it's hard to say.
But perhaps the most surreal piece is called "Things Fall Apart" by Sarah Size, which involves a Jeep Cherokee hacked apart and decorated with pipe cleaners and its own insulation, among other items, to appear as though it's at the bottom of the ocean.
What complicates matters is that the various pieces are situated on ascending levels of the main staircase, providing a piece of art that visitors see in stages as they move from one gallery to the next.
Call it postmodern or pop art or whatever, but this is SFMOMA's forte.