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.

The Egg and the Eye

The Egg and the Eye, a café and gallery, was established in 1965 by Edith Wyle at this location. Disenchanted with the art world of the time, Wyle sought to develop as space that would be nourishing both physically and intellectually. Thus, in addition to serving a wide variety of omelets, she organized regular art exhibitions. In 1966, Limited Works by Important Artists (known as the “Multiples show”) featured Pop art prints, books, sculpture, ceramics, and games by Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, and Robert Watts, among others. In 1973, The Egg and The Eye was transformed into the Craft and Folk Art Museum, a non-profit space that is still exhibiting art on Wilshire Boulevard today.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Some Los Angeles Apartments

    Some Los Angeles Apartments, 1965, Ed Ruscha. Self-published book, offset lithograph, 1965 (seconding printing 1970). 7 1/16 x 5 9/16 x 1/4 in. The Getty Research Institute, 86-B19485.c2. © Ed Ruscha

  • Real Estate Opportunities

    Real Estate Opportunities, 1970, Ed Ruscha. Self-published book, offset lithograph. 7 1/16 x 5 5/8 x 3/16 in. Open to pages depicting 12th & Sentous (southeast corner), and 1140 E. Pico. The Getty Research Institute, 86-B19480. © Ed Ruscha

  • Every Building on the Sunset Strip

    Every Building on the Sunset Strip, 1966, Ed Ruscha. Self-published book, offset lithograph, 1966 (second printing 1971). 7 1/8 x 5 3/4 x 3/8 in. Open unfolded: 7 1/8 x 297 in. The Getty Research Institute, 86-B19486.c1. © Ed Ruscha

Explore the Archive

  • Video: Ed Ruscha

    Video: Ed Ruscha speaks about his work, April 2011