Yale Bulletin and Calendar

October 5, 2007|Volume 36, Number 5

A new exhibit featuring works by Ed Ruscha in the Arts of the Book Collection tells the story of the physical and psychic evolution of Los Angeles.

Evolution of ‘the city beautiful’
is focus of new exhibition

“Views of Los Angeles, the City Beautiful,” an exhibition of artists’ books by photographer Ed Ruscha, will be on view Oct. 8-Dec. 20 in the Arts of the Book Collection at Sterling Memorial Library, 120 High St.

The show explores how Ruscha’s artists’ books depict land use and development in the American West, specifically in Los Angeles. The exhibit is curated by Ian McDemott, 2007 Kress Fellow in Art Librarianship at Yale Arts Library.

“Starting in the early 1960s,” notes McDermott, “water, cars, real estate and fossil fuels all prominently factor in the evolution of the West from the rugged final frontier to Los Angeles’ embodiment of the sprawling American city.

“In books such as ‘Twentysix Gasoline Stations,’ ‘Some Los Angeles Apartments’ and ‘Every Building on the Sunset Strip,’ Ruscha employs deadpan photos of gas stations, parking lots, apartment complexes, swimming pools and other banalities to depict the Los Angeles landscape, physical and psychic,” adds McDermott. “These works announce their ostensible subject matter, yet the books also confound expectations by engaging the social, ecological and political stakes of mid-20th century Los Angeles.”

The exhibit features several of Ruscha’s publications and situates them in their particular time and place, along with additional documentation, “to create a then-now portrait of the Los Angeles region,” explains the curator.

“Views of Los Angeles, The City Beautiful: Ed Ruscha’s Artists’ Books” is open to the public free of charge. Hours, along with additional information, can be found on the Arts of the Book Collection website: www.library.yale.edu/aob.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale team achieves major advances in quantum computers

Yale poll reveals growing concern about global warming

‘Incredible India@60’: Yale hosts panels on nation’s future . . .

Parents' Weekend

Special language tours offered during Parents’ Weekend

Yale endowment earns 28% return in 2006-2007

Study sheds new light on genetic differences in humans

Emilie Townes is named to associate dean at the Divinity School

Faculty members win fellowships for use of technology in curricula

Conference to honor legacy of Israeli poet

Festival invites public to enjoy area artists’ creative offerings

Evolution of ‘the city beautiful’ is focus of new exhibition

Noted theologians to give public talks during Convocation

Yale singers will bring Beinecke manuscript to musical life . . .

Winners of Graduate School’s Wilbur Cross Medals to present talks

Global experts gather to discuss ways to curb poverty . . .

‘Summer Heat’

Yale Press acquires the renowned Anchor Bible Series from Doubleday

Jane Savage named director of best practices

New digital mammography van hits the streets to provide screenings

Manuscripts and Archives hosts an introduction to its resources, services

Yale Books in Brief

Campus Notes