Ulises Diaz Adobe LA Archive, 1939-2002

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Summary

Creators:
Diaz, Ulises, 1960-
Abstract:
This collection of papers represents the creative thought and writing of Adobe LA. Since its founding in 1992 as an activist collaboration of architects, artists and designers, ADOBE LA took the cultural landscape of Los Angeles, particularly that of the Latin American community as the point of departure for projects that addressed the values of Los Angeles' evolving multicultural population. The mission of ADOBE LA was to create and produce public art and architecture, create a discourse that responds to the social and cultural needs of the Latino communities in Los Angeles, to document that landscape through diverse media (film, photography, art), and finally to critically analyze issues of representation, vernacular architecture and popular culture through exhibitions, writing, teaching, publications and community activism.
Extent:
4.8 linear feet (9 boxes; 3 flat boxes)
Language:
English and Collection materials are in English, Japanese, and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ulises Diaz Adobe LA Archive, 93, Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists primarily of material relating to different projects undertaken by ADOBE LA. Several of these were in collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum, for which ADOBE designed the exhibition spaces. In addition to material on the design aspects of their work, there is also much material on the content of the exhibitions, and therefore on Japanese American history. Materials include design sketches and plans, photographs, correspondence, and financial material. There are also several essays for the book edited by ADOBE LA, Ciudad Hibrida. There is also some personal material for Ulises Diaz, including photographs, maps, artwork, and periodicals.

Biographical / historical:

Ulises de Jesus Diaz is a community/urban activist, artist and architect who works to strengthen the voice of an expanding and diverse community in Los Angeles. Works include urban design, architecture, design projects, publications and artworks where he addresses how diverse cultures influence public open space, art and the urban fabric. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts in Columbus, Ohio, the Gamel Dok Architecture Museum in Copenhagen, and at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Following a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, he gave a lecture entitled "Seeing America: Mexican Popular Culture in Los Angeles as a Paradigm for American Cities?" in Bielefeld, Germany at the ZIF - Center for Interdisciplinary Research.

ADOBE LA (Architects, Artists and Designers Opening the Border Edge of Los Angeles) was founded in 1992 as an activist collaboration of architects, artists and designers. Founded by Ulises Diaz and others, it takes the cultural landscape of Los Angeles as the point of departure for projects that address the values of Los Angeles's evolving multicultural population. The mission of ADOBE LA is: to create and produce public art and architecture, create a discourse that responds to the social and cultural needs of the communities in Los Angeles, to document that landscape through diverse media (film, photography, art), to critically analyze issues of representation, vernacular architecture and popular culture through exhibitions, writing, teaching, publications and community activism.

Acquisition information:
Donated to the CSRC in 2006.
Processing information:

Arranged by CSRC, circa March 2011. Processed by Doug Johnson, May 2019.

Arrangement:

The files are arranged in the order determined by the initial archivist, and presumably has an approximate relationship to the original order. The collection is divided into the following series, most of which correspond to a project undertaken by ADOBE LA:

  • Series 1. Common Ground files
  • Series 2. Ciudad Hibrida = Hybrid City files
  • Series 3. Mixed Feelings files
  • Series 4. More than a Game files
  • Series 5. Mariposa Art Center files
  • Series 6. Boyle Heights Project files
  • Series 7. Revelatory Landscapes files
  • Series 8. Minor projects
  • Series 9. Personal files

Physical location:
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library and Archive for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research.

Terms of access:

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of materials, including but not limited to infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ulises Diaz Adobe LA Archive, 93, Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Los Angeles, Chicano Studies Research Center Library, 193 Haines Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1544, US
Contact:
(310) 206-6052
librarian@chicano.ucla.edu
Website