Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
Mention the "the Valley" and, for many, what comes to mind is suburban sprawl, fast-food joints, mini-malls, and "Valley girls."
A vibrant art scene? Not so much.
That all may change thanks to a new book and art exhibit titled "Valley Vista: Art in the San Fernando Valley, ca. 1970-1990" from art historian and Loyola Marymount University associate professor Damon Willick.
In the book, Willick argues that artists in the San Fernando Valley made important contributions to Los Angeles's art history. And the fact that the artists were overlooked for so long, he explains, actually allowed them more freedom to express themselves in innovative ways.
"That freedom that a lot of the Valley artist describe," he says "is the same freedom that Los Angeles in general has always had for artists. This isn't Manhattan where you have all the artists living in the same neighborhood, they have to go far and wide to find each other. But that freedom and space allows them to experiment, to not follow dogma and trends, and to create really remarkable works of art."
The "Valley Vista" exhibition runs through October 11 at California State University, Northridge.