Finding aid for the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery video collection, 1978-2003, undated 2009.M.4
Kit Messick, Emmabeth Nanol, and Jenny Le
Special Collections
2023
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles 90049-1688
Business Number: (310) 440-7390
Fax Number: (310) 440-7780
reference@getty.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections
Title: Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery video collection
Creator:
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
Creator:
Almaraz, Carlos (1941-10-05-1989-12-11)
Creator:
Bryant, Bob
Creator:
Cantillon, Jane
Creator:
Chono-Helsley, Martha
Creator:
Clarke, Wendy
Creator:
Flores, Gene
Creator:
Goss, John, 1958-
Creator:
Hernandez, Quito
Creator:
Sook, Hye
Creator:
Innis, Chris
Creator:
Jenkins, Tom, 1943-
Creator:
Jenkins, Ulysses, 1946-
Creator:
Kheradyar, Habib
Creator:
Lamb, Gina
Creator:
Leonardi, Joe
Creator:
Munns, Frank
Creator:
Newman-Skrentny, Jessica
Creator:
Parker, Michael
Creator:
Ranen, Aron
Creator:
Reiss, Roland, 1929-
Creator:
Ruth, Sheila
Creator:
Sander, Mehmet Memo
Creator:
Schiller, Herb
Creator:
Shapiro, Elisha
Creator:
Solanke, Jimi
Creator:
Tanney, Katherine
Creator:
Thomas, Matthew, 1943-
Identifier/Call Number: 2009.M.4
Physical Description:
4.918 Linear Feet
(6 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1978-2003, undated
Abstract: The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG) was established in 1954 under the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City
of Los Angeles. The video collection includes artworks that were exhibited at LAMAG, and documentaries screened as part of
the programming, and documentation of performances, events, exhibitions. Videotapes in the collection are primarily from the
1980s, and represent a diverse body of programming focused on multiple communities within Los Angeles. Some of the artists
whose works are present in the collection include Wendy Clarke, Ulysses Jenkins, Jim Shaw, and Hye Sook.
Physical Location: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the
catalog record for this collection. Click here for the
access policy .
Language of Material:
English
.
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers. Audiovisual material is unavailable until reformatted. Contact the repository for information
regarding access.
Publication Rights
Biographical / Historical
The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG) was established in 1954 under the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City
of Los Angeles. LAMAG exhibits arts by emerging and underrepresented artists from Los Angeles and Southern California. Some
of the artists who have exhibited at the gallery have become internationally known such as Eleanor Antin, John Baldessari,
and Ed Ruscha. In addition to exhibitions, LAMAG also conducts education and public programming as ways of engaging the city's
diverse communities in contemporary issues through the arts. Since its founding, LAMAG has extended its reach to include the
Junior Arts Center (JAC) Gallery, Teacher Resource Center, and a Slide Registry.
Scope and Contents
The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery video collection comprises 38 videocassette tapes, one sound track reel, and artist
files of those who presented their works at the gallery. Materials in the files include artists' curricula vitae, artist statements,
exhibition reviews, program notes, and correspondence. Videocassette tapes in the collection are primarily from the 1980s,
and represent a diverse body of programming focused on multiple communities within Los Angeles. Some of the artists whose
video works are present in the collection include Wendy Clarke, Ulysses Jenkins, Jim Shaw, and Hye Sook.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically with undated materials at the end.
Preferred Citation
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery video collection, 1978-2003, undated, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession
no. 2009.M.4.
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/archives2009m4
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Acquired in 2009.
Processing Information
Vladimira Stefura rehoused the collection upon accession in March 2009. In 2020, Kit Messick and Emmabeth Nanol drafted the
finding aid and proccessed a portion of the collection. Jenny Le finalized processing and completed the finding aid in 2023.
Component titles from source materials.
Digitized Material
Selected audiovisual recordings have been digitized: http://hdl.handle.net/10020/2009m4av. Access is available only to on-site
readers and Getty staff.
Related Archival Materials
Barbara T. Smith papers, 1927-2012, bulk 1948-2012, Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 2014.M.14.
Getty Research Institute California Video exhibition project files and oral history recordings, 2006-2008, Institutional Archives,
Getty Research Institute, Accession no. IA60004.
High Performance magazine records, 1953-2005, Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 2006.M.8.
The Kitchen videos and records, 1971-2011, bulk 1971-1999, Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 2014.M.6.
Long Beach Museum of Art Video Archive, circa 1970-2000, Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 2006.M.7.
Modern Art in Los Angeles Recordings, 2003-2011, Getty Research Institute, Accession no. IA40018.
Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. Recordings, 2008-2012, Getty Research Institute and Getty Foundation, Accession no. IA40011.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Los Angeles
Artists -- 20th century -- Correspondence
Experimental films -- United States -- 20th century
Performance art -- 20th century
Video art -- 20th century
Videotapes -- United States -- 20th century
Gene Flores, Sculptor / Santa Cruz, California,
1978, undated
box 3, item V13
Dub of edited master,
1978
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
box 3, item V15
Slide program, second generation,
undated
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (7 min.) : sound, black and white ; 3/4 in.
First Biennial Juried Exhibition,
1978-1987
box 4, item V26
Ulysses Jenkins,
1978
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Recorded in 1978, with a 1980 copyright date.
box 1, folder 8
The Artist as Social Critic,
1979
Scope and Contents
Includes artists' CVs, artists' statements, copies of correspondence, lists of exhibiting artists, and exhibition inventories.
LA Seen by LA Artists,
1980, 1981 March
box 1, folder 6
Papers,
1980
Scope and Contents
Includes artists' CVs, artists' statements, copies of correspondence, lists of exhibiting artists, and exhibition inventories.
box 2, folder 2
Editorials,
1981 March
Scope and Contents
Contains copies of editorials of the exhibition.
African Storyteller / Jimi Solanke / Studio of Matthew Thomas,
1981
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Producer/director Sheila Ruth. / Funded by a grant from the California Arts Council.
box 3, item V9
Third generation copy from master,
1981
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (19 min., 15 sec.) : mono ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Produced/directed by Sheila Ruth. / L.B. Museum, Sony 2860A -> Sony 2860A 5/8/81.
box 3, item V10
Edited, shorter version,
1981
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (16 min., 40 sec.) : stereo, color ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Produced/directed by Sheila Ruth.
box 3, item V11
Copy for Jimi Solanke,
1981
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (19 min., 15 sec.) : mono, color ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Produced/directed by Sheila Ruth. / Shot on October 13, 1980; edited on May 8, 1981. / Third generation
copy 10/16/81, J.A.C. / 2600 -> VO 4800.
box 3, item V12
Third generation copy,
1981
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (19 min., 15 sec.) : stereo, color ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Produced/directed by Sheila Ruth. / Third generation copy, LBMA Video, 10/13/81, Sony VP 2011
-> JVC 6066 U.
box 4, item V16
Carlos Almaraz: East Los Artist,
1981 August 11
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Produced/directed by Sheila Ruth. / Third generation copy, T.B.C. copy, 10/13/91, LBMA Video.
box 4, item V17
Why We Need Each Other / The Animal's Peace Day / Carlos Almaraz drawings,
circa 1981
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound, color ; 3/4 in.
Ulysses Jenkins,
1981-1987
box 1, folder 9
Programs I and II papers,
1981-1987
box 4, item V24
Program I,
1981, 1983
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (51 min., 40 sec.) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content: 1. Inconsequential Doggereal (1981) (15 min.) / 2. Dream City: The Videotape (1983) (5 min.) / 3. Dream City: The
ritual-video-performance (1983) (30 min.).
Description from program notes:
Inconsequential Doggereal, the vertigo presents contradictions which question issues surrounding compatability, poetic lyricism and traditional intonations
associated with normal television consumption. /
Dream City: The ritual-video-performance, originally recorded and performed in September 1981 at Rachel Rosenthal's ESPACE DBD, this thirty minute presentation reinterprets
the concerns of the eighteen hour performance by giving each of the illusions performed by the attending artists more exposure.
box 4, item V25
Program II,
1983-1987
Program II (digitized version available on-site only): [1983-1987]
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (56 min., 57 sec.) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content: 1. ZGRASS (1983) (3 min.) / 2. Without Your Representation (1984) (13 min.) / 3. Peace and Anwar Sadat (1986) (21
min.) / 4. Ever *4* Us (1987) (17 min.).
Description from program notes: ZGRASS, computer generated images designed with an electronic paint program entitled ZGRASS.
/
Without Your Representation, this videotape is a video-performance from a live performance in the downtown L.A. area near the L.A. River at an alternative
art gallery which was called "The Art Dock." / Peace and Anwar Sadat, this video-performance pays tribute to one of the world's
most formidable peace activists: ANWAR SADAT OF EGYPT. / Ever*4*Us, this videotape is conceived in sonata form; in terms of
the sonic poetic interplay.
About T.V.: Appropriation and Parody in Contemporary Video Art,
1986-1989
box 1, folder 5
Papers,
1989
Scope and Contents
Includes program notes, and copies of editorials of the exhibition.
box 4, item V18
Program 3: Burning Monk by Hye Sook,
1987
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (60 min.) : sound, black and white ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content warning: This videotape contains graphic images of a Buddhist monk's self-immolation.
Description from program notes: Hye Sook appropriated the original footage of the Buddhist monk, Thich Quang Duc's self-immolation
in June, 1963.
box 4, item V19
Program 5:
Bambo Samba by Jane Cantillon / Vote Nihilism '88 by Elisha Shapiro,
1988
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content: 1. Bambo Samba by Jane Cantillon (3 min.) / 2. Vote Nihilism '88 (14 min., 30 sec.).
Description from program notes: A humorous parody of rock videos featuring a Carmen Miranda-like [figure] sambaing with a
bevy of bambos.
box 4, item V21
Works by Jim Shaw, Chris Innes, and Michael Parker, approximately 1987-1989,
circa 1987
Works by Jim Shaw, Chris Innes, and Michael Parker (digitized version available on-site only): [approximately 1987-1989]
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content: Bullet (6 min.) / The Andersons / True/False Mirror / Billy Goes to a Party (30 min.) / What's Happening (10 min.,
3 sec.).
Description from program notes:
Bullet investigates a correlation between television and hypnotism. Scan lines mesmerize the viewer as a text instructs one on the
how-to's of hypnotism. /
The Andersons is an animated parody of a familiar cartoon studio tells the tale of young boy's daydreams while in church. /
True/False Mirror is an experimental video using a familiar television logo and surreal film references. /
Billy Goes to a Party is a contemporary portrayal of Billy's experiences at a 60's type party. /
What's Happening is Jim Shaw's latest edition to his previous trilogy, it features the Obedient Christian lecturing on the ills of television.
Original media reads: Program 6:
Bullet /
The Andersons /
True/False Mirror /
Billy Goes to a Party /
What's Happening.
box 4, item V20
Program 6:
"Out" Takes by John C. Goss /
Spin Off by Kathy Tanney,
1987, 1989
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content: 1.
"Out" Takes by John C. Goss (1989) (13 min.) / 2.
Spin Off by Kathy Tanney (1987) (13 min.).
Description on media reads: Audio Channel 1 and 2.
Description from program notes: In
"Out" Takes, gay sensibility, homophobia and gender roles on broadcast television are outlined by juxtaposing scenes from two popular
children's shows from the United States and Japan intertwined with an outraged critic's campy critique. /
Spin Off is a love story of visual pleasure and blind devotion. Mary Richards and J. R. Ewing meet and romance each other's projections
of a viewer's imagination.
box 4, item V22
Program 8:
Television Believers by Aron Ranen /
Herb Schiller Reads Trash T.V., Paper Tiger Southwest,
1986
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Content: 1.
Television Believers (27 min., 30 sec.) / 2. Herb Schiller (28 min.).
Description from program notes: In
Television Believers, a TV faith healer is uncovered as a huckster as his source of "divine inspiration" is revealed. / In
Herb Schiller Reads Trash T.V., the contemporary phenomenon of Trash TV is critiqued by Herb Schiller.
box 4, item V28
Television Believers by Aron Ranen,
1986 December 2
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (26 min.) : sound, black and white ; 3/4 in.
Frank Munns Performance at MUNI,
1987 May 9
box 3, item V1
Edited master,
1987 May 9
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Audio Channel 1.
box 3, item V2
Tape 1, original master,
1987 May 9
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
box 3, item V3
Tape 2, original master,
1987 May 9
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
box 3, item V4
Tape 3, original master,
1987 May 9
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Other Gods: Containers of Belief,
1987 April-May, undated
box 1, folder 4
Artists / Reviews for
Other Gods...,
1987 April-May
Scope and Contents
Includes exhibition checklist, installations list, list of artists' addresses, and copies of exhibition reviews.
box 3, item V5
Video documentation of exhibit,
undated
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
box 3, item V8
Bambo Samba by Jane Cantillon,
1988
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
box 3, item V6
Bullet, Chris Innis with Michael Parker,
1988
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (6 min.) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Possible duplicate of
About T.V.: Appropriation and Parody in Contemporary Video Art program. See item V21.
Description on media reads: Made at CalArts.
box 3, item V14
Forced Out,
1989
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (6 min.) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: California State University, Dominguez Hills.
box 4, item V23
Paper Tiger Television,
Herb Schiller on Trash T.V. Desperately Seeking Reality,
1989
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (28 min.) : sound, color ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Audio 1 and 2.
box 3, item V7
Constance E. O'Meara / JAC/MAG,
1991
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) : sound ; 3/4 in.
box 1, folder 7
Papers,
1991 December 7-26
Scope and Contents
Includes Roland Reiss' CV, copies of exhibition reviews for
Roland Reiss: A Seventeen Year Survey, and program notes.
box 4, item V27
Video recording,
1991
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (8 min., 30 sec.) : sound ; 3/4 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Exhibition reel repeats 7 times. / Produced and directed by Joe Leonardi.
box 5, item V34
AMEN by Wendy Clarke,
1992
Amen (digitized version available on-site only): [1992]
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) (60 min.) : mono, color ; 1/2 in.
box 5, item V31
LA Freewaves Video Festival,
Fast Focus: Southern California Youth Speak Out,
1992
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) (60 min.) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Cable program 4. / Curated by Martha Chono-Helsley, Gina Lamb and Quito Hernandez. / Works featured
in this cable program were also featured in
Discovery of a Different Kind: Youth Look at Past, Present, and Future, Tuesday, October 13, 1992 at Barnsdall Municipal Art Gallery and Theater.
box 5, item V37
Excerpts / Mehmet Sander Dance Company,
circa 1994
Excerpts / Mehmet Sander Dance Company (digitized version available on-site only): [undated]
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
box 5, item V36
Graffiti Verite, Bob Bryan Productions,
1995
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Bootleg.
box 5, item V35
Habib Kheradyar, Untitled,
1996 June 24
The Climb / Habib Kheradyar (digitized version available on-site only): 1996
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) (45 min.) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
Scope and Contents
Description on media reads: Performance,
The Climb, 6/24/96, actual time, 45 mins; edited video, 10 mins. / Exhibition
Investigations.
box 5, item V33
Head Space, Jessica Newman-Skrentny,
circa 1996
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
box 1, folder 3
Skin and Bones,
1996-1997
Scope and Contents
Includes artists' CVs, program notes, and copies of exhibition reviews.
Tomfoolery: Sounds, Songs & Stories by Tom Jenkins,
1982-2000 February 9
box 1, folder 1
Papers,
1982
Scope and Contents
Includes artist's CV, artist's statement, and copies of exhibition reviews.
box 5, item V30A-V30B
Videotapes,
2000 February 9
Physical Description: 2 videocassettes of 2 (VHS) (33 min.) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
box 5, item V32
LA ATRSMIX #11,
2003 March 3
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS) (28 min.) : sound, color ; 1/2 in.
box 4, item V29
The Central Meridian,
undated
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (U-matic) (11 min.) : sound, black and white ; 3/4 in.
box 6, item R1
[Untitled reel],
undated
Scope and Contents
1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips, 4 tracks, stereo. ; 7 in., 1/2 in. tape.
