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.

Peace Tower

Peace Tower installation

Peace Tower installation in Los Angeles, 1966. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.37. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

The Peace Tower emerged from the L.A.-based Artists Protest Committee’s desire to draw attention to the war in Vietnam. Designed by the sculptor Mark di Suvero, the 60-foot construction was collaboratively built by di Suvero, Lloyd Hamrol, Mel Edwards, Ed Bereal, Judy Chicago, and others. The Tower was surrounded by a wall of hundreds of 2-foot square panels painted by artists from around the world. The inaugural ceremony on February 26, 1966 included speeches by Susan Sontag, Irving Petlin, former Green Beret Donald Duncan, and children releasing doves. The organizers were forced to take it down after three months, but the Tower continues to inspire artists as a symbol for peace.

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  • Artists’ protest poster

    Artists’ protest poster and manifesto, "Stop: We Dissent," 1965. Designed by Hardy Hanson. Courtesy of the artist. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.30

  • Susan Sontag at the Peace Tower installation

    Susan Sontag at the Peace Tower installation in Los Angeles, February 26, 1966. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11. Photo by and © Annette Del Zoppo

  • Panels at the Peace Tower

    Four young women looking at panels at the Peace Tower installation in Los Angeles, February 1966. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • “Artists Against Escalation” protest

    “Artists Against Escalation” protest at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), May 16, 1965. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.32. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Protest outside Ferus Gallery

    Protest on La Cienega Boulevard, outside the Ferus Gallery, May 15, 1965. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Poster for the “Angry Arts” Against the War Peace Walk

    Poster for the “Angry Arts” Against the War Peace Walk, 1967. Designed by Hardy Hanson. Courtesy of the artist. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.31