Announcement for The Violent Tapes of 1975, a David Lamelas exhibition at Claire Copley Gallery, in Los Angeles, 1976. © David Lamelas. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Hal Glicksman, 2009.M.5.3

Ed Ruscha holding his book Every Building on the Sunset Strip, 1967. © Ed Ruscha. Image courtesy of Jerry McMillan and Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica. © Jerry McMillan

Announcement for Field Piece, a Barbara T. Smith exhibition at Cirrus Gallery in Los Angeles, 1971. Computer daisy-wheel print. © Barbara T. Smith. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Hal Glicksman, 2009.M.5.4

In Mourning and In Rage media performance at Los Angeles City Hall, December 13, 1977, Suzanne Lacy and Leslie Labowitz-Starus. Gelatin silver prints documenting the event by Susan Mogul. 7 15/16 x 10 3/16 in. The Getty Research Institute, Lawrence Alloway Papers, 2003.M.46. Photo courtesy of Susan Mogul

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

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

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

Video: Ed Ruscha speaks about his work, April 2011

Video: Discover how L.A. artists of the 1960s and 1970s appropriated commercial culture

Video: Learn more about the region’s network of art schools with artist Barbara T. Smith