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

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

In these photographs, a team of preparators moves Gray Column from conservator Jack Brogan’s studio to the Getty. The piece was first prepared for transport with application of a protective film, and then loaded into a shipping crate especially built for it. A forklift then moves the crate out of Jack Brogan’s studio and it is loaded onto a flatbed truck with a crane.

Once it arrives at the loading dock of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Gray Column is off-loaded and taken to the gallery. Still protected by its shipping crate, Gray Column is lifted carefully into place by a pulley system. Once uncrated, Getty preparators position the sculpture onto a specially prepared base. Gray Column is now displayed in an upright orientation for the first time. Valentine always intended the piece to be displayed in this orientation, but due to its size, it had been previously exhibited on its side, oriented horizontally.

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

  • 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

  • Two Gray Walls

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