Red Concave Circle
Red Concave Circle, 1970, De Wain Valentine. Cast polyester resin. 96 x 96 x 12 in. Bank of America Collection. © De Wain Valentine. Photo: Harry Drinkwater
On View at the Getty Center: Pacific Standard Time: Crosscurrents in L.A. Painting and Sculpture, 1950-1970
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, De Wain Valentine experimented with polyester resin, working with industrial plastics companies to develop innovative formulas and chemical processes that allowed him to cast much larger pieces than previously possible. With a diameter of eight feet, Red Concave Circle is a rare example of Valentine’s large-scale disks. Twelve inches thick, the circle contains dense pigment at the periphery and is more translucent towards the center. At once transparent and reflective, the sculpture creates unique optical effects that distort the viewer’s perception of the surrounding environment. Valentine cites the expansive skies and ocean waters of the West Coast as phenomena that have influenced the translucent qualities and materials of his sculptures.
Exhibition audio: Learn about Valentine’s use of industrial materials.
Exhibition audio: Learn how Red Concave Circle was rediscovered.
Works of Art
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Gray Column, 1975–76, De Wain Valentine. Polyester resin. 140 x 87 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. Lent by De Wain Valentine. Artwork © De Wain Valentine
Explore the Archive
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Video: Learn about the research and activities of the Getty Conservation Institute that went into the planning of the exhibition From Start to Finish: De Wain Valentine's Gray Column.
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Video: Surface Matters—learn about the role of and upkeep for the pristine surfaces on De Wain Valentine's sculptures through the work of the Getty Conservation Institute.
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Video: MasKast Resin, the polyester developed by De Wain Valentine to create his large-scale sculptures, is explored by the Getty Conservation Institute.
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Video: De Wain Valentine and the L.A. Art Scene in the 1960s and 70s is explored by the Getty Conservation Institute.
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Video: Jack Brogan speaks about working with Los Angeles artists, June 2011
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De Wain Valentine in front of Gray Column, 1975–76, during the polishing stage. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine
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De Wain Valentine polishing Gray Column in 1976. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine
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De Wain Valentine in his Venice studio with one of his eight-foot Circle polyester pieces, 1970s. Artwork © De Wain Valentine. Photo © Harry Drinkwater
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De Wain Valentine in his Venice studio. Photo: © Cathy Weiner
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Slideshow: Documentation of De Wain Valentine‘s Circle series of polyester resin circles, 1960s. Artwork © De Wain Valentine. Photo © Harry Drinkwater
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Slideshow: Gray Column moves from conservator Jack Brogan’s studio to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 2011. Artwork © De Wain Valentine
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De Wain Valentine and two of his studio assistants, Chris D'Arcangelo (left) and Keith Anderson (right), 1975–76. Photo © Cathy Weiner
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Slideshow: De Wain Valentine’s process of creating Gray Column, 1975–76. © De Wain Valentine. First, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th photo by and © Cathy Weiner; 2nd and 3rd photo by Sean Valentine
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Two Gray Walls, 1975–76, De Wain Valentine. Cast polyester resin. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine
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Rani Singh of the Getty Research Institute and Jack Brogan, conservator, inspect De Wain Valentine's Red Concave Circle in Brogan's studio in Inglewood, California, June 17, 2011. © De Wain Valentine
