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.

From the Archive

Two Gray Walls

Two Gray Walls, 1975–76, De Wain Valentine. Cast polyester resin. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine

De Wain Valentine’s Two Gray Walls was installed in the boardroom of Baxter Travenol Laboratories’ corporate headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois, in 1977. Although Valentine had intended the piece to be two vertical columns standing side by side, because of modifications by the architects (the ceilings were lowered), Valentine installed the two slabs on their sides.

Works of Art

  • Gray Column

    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

  • Video: Start to Finish, the Story of Gray Column

    Video: The story behind the making of Gray Column, from its original concept to its display at the Getty Center, includes a wealth of stunning archival images taken during Gray Column’s creation.

  • Video: Getty Conservation Institute and Valentine's 'Gray Column'

    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.

  • Video: Pristine surfaces on De Wain Valentine's sculptures

    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.

  • Video: MasKast Resin, developed by De Wain Valentine

    Video: MasKast Resin, the polyester developed by De Wain Valentine to create his large-scale sculptures, is explored by the Getty Conservation Institute.

  • Video: De Wain Valentine and the L.A. Art Scene

    Video: De Wain Valentine and the L.A. Art Scene in the 1960s and 70s is explored by the Getty Conservation Institute.

  • De Wain Valentine and 'Gray Column'

    De Wain Valentine in front of Gray Column, 1975–76, during the polishing stage. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine

  • De Wain Valentine polishing Gray Column

    De Wain Valentine polishing Gray Column in 1976. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine

  • De Wain Valentine in his Venice studio

    De Wain Valentine in his Venice studio. Photo: © Cathy Weiner

  • Slideshow: Preparing to move 'Gray Wall'

    Slideshow: Gray Column moves from conservator Jack Brogan’s studio to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 2011. Artwork © De Wain Valentine

  • De Wain Valentine and studio assistants

    De Wain Valentine and two of his studio assistants, Chris D'Arcangelo (left) and Keith Anderson (right), 1975–76. Photo © Cathy Weiner

  • Slideshow: De Wain Valentine's process of creating Gray Column

    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