Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Eugenia Butler Gallery

In the late 1960, after working with Riko Mizuno at Gallery 669, where she gave Joseph Kosuth his first Los Angeles exhibition, Eugenia Butler established her own gallery at 615 N. La Cienega Boulevard. There, she championed the work of conceptual artists, including John Baldessari, George Brecht, James Lee Byars, Douglas Huebler, and Allen Ruppersberg. In 1970, her gallery was the site for Dieter Roth’s first exhibition in the United States: an installation of 37 suitcases filled with cheese, which soon began to rot, nearly causing the show to be shut down due to a city health code violation.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • The Future as Afterthought

    The Future as Afterthought, 1962, Edward Kienholz. Paint and resin on plastic and rubber doll parts with sheet metal, tricycle pedals, and wood. 54 x 21 x 16 15/16 in. Onnasch Collection. © Nancy Reddin Kienholz. Photo courtesy L.A. Louver, Venice, CA

  • Quality Material, John Baldessari

    Quality Material, 1966–68, John Baldessari. Acrylic on canvas. 67 3/4 x 56 1/2 in. Collection of Danielle and David Ganek. © John Baldessari

  • Al's Grand Hotel

    Al's Grand Hotel catalog, 1971, Allen Ruppersberg. Offset lithograph. 9 x 6 x 1/16 in. The Getty Research Institute, 94-B15837. © Allen Ruppersberg

  • 24 Pieces

    24 Pieces, 1970, Allen Ruppersberg. Spiral-bound offset lithograph. Self-published book. 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. The Getty Research Institute, 89-B22093.c1. © Allen Ruppersberg