Michael Satterfield
The Petersen Automotive Museum celebrates the culture of the lowrider with the July 1st opening of “The High Art of Riding Low: Ranflas, Corazón e Inspiración.” The exhibit will run through Sunday, June 3rd, 2018, with an opening celebration taking place on Thursday, June 29th, 2017 in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery presented by BMW of North America.
“The High Art of Riding Low” examines the lowrider as an artistic catalyst and cultural icon. The range of work on display – from installations to lithographs, sculptures to drawings, paintings to photography, as well as vehicles themselves—meld automotive ingenuity and imaginative expression. Vehicles in the new exhibit will include “Our Family Car,” a 1950 Chevrolet Sedan painted by legendary artist Gilbert “Magu” Luján, “El Rey,” a 1963 Chevrolet Impala by Albert De Alba Sr., “El Muertorider,” a customized 1968 Chevy Impala by Artemio Rodríguez and John Jota Leaños, and “Gangster Squad ’39,” a 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe by Mister Cartoon.
The exhibit will also feature artists who have reworked and re-imagined the lowrider, including El Moisés, Estevan Oriol, Germs a.k.a. Jaime Zacarias and Luis Tapia.
“Chicano culture is so deeply intertwined with the culture of Los Angeles and automobiles represent a rich part of that,” said Terry L. Karges, Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “We at the museum are honored to be in a position to share this vibrant and thriving culture with those who might not otherwise be exposed to it. ‘The High Art of Riding Low’ is going to be one of the most important exhibits we’ve curated.”
The opening reception for “The High Art of Riding Low” will take place at 7 pm on Thursday, June 29th at the Petersen. Tickets are available for $45 to non-members and $35 to Petersen members. The reception will feature light refreshments and music by KCRW DJ Raul Campos.
For more information on “The High Art of Riding Low: Ranflas, Corazón e Inspiración” or to purchase tickets to the opening reception, click here. For more information on the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit www.Petersen.org or call 323/930.CARS.
