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

Wallace Berman with one of his collages

Wallace Berman with his collage Papa's Got a Brand New Bag in 1965. Art © the Estate of Wallace Berman and Michael Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles. Image courtesy of Marvin Silver and Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica. © Marvin Silver

Works of Art

  • Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

    Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, 1964, Wallace Berman. Mixed media collage. 44 1/2 x 32 ¼ x 2 in. Collection of David Yorkin & Alix Madigan, Los Angeles. Permission courtesy of the Estate of Wallace Berman and Michael Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles

Explore the Archive

  • Video: George Herms on Wallace Berman

    Video: George Herms speaks about the work of Wallace Berman, March 2011

  • Announcement, George Herms at Aura Gallery

    Announcement for George Herms exhibition at Aura Gallery in Pasadena, California, 1963. Designed by Wallace Berman. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of George Herms, 2009.M.20.3. Courtesy of the Estate of Wallace Berman and Michael Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles

  • Suzi and Eddie Hicks, Charles Brittin exhibition, Semina Gallery

    Suzi and Eddie Hicks at Charles Brittin exhibition at Semina Gallery in Larkspur, California, 1961. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.24 © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • View of the Semina Gallery in Larkspur, California

    Exterior view of the Semina Gallery in Larkspur, California, with partial view of Charles Brittin’s exhibition. 1961. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.21 © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Charles Brittin exhibition at Semina Gallery

    Installation view of Charles Brittin exhibition at Semina Gallery in Larkspur, California, 1961. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.19. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Showing a sculpture to the LAPD Vice Squad

    Wallace Berman and friends in the alley next to the Ferus Gallery showing a sculpture to the LAPD vice squad, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.10. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Wallace Berman's exhibition at Ferus Gallery

    Contact sheet showing images of Wallace Berman's exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.13. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photos by Charles Brittin

  • Wallace Berman's assemblage 'Temple'

    Wallace Berman's assemblage Temple in his exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.12. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Temporary closure sign at Ferus Gallery

    Temporary closure sign at Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers 2005.M.11.11. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Robert Alexander, John Reed, Wallace Berman, Juanita Dixon, and Walter Hopps

    Robert Alexander, John Reed, Wallace Berman, Juanita Dixon, and Walter Hopps in the alley next to Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, ca. 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.9. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Wallace Berman in an abandoned building

    Wallace Berman in an abandoned building on the Speedway (an alleyway running parallel to the beach) in Venice, California, ca. 1955–57. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Strip of photos by Charles Brittin

    Strip of photos taken by Charles Brittin at the Semina Gallery in Larkspur, California, 1960. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11. © J. Paul Getty Trust

  • Dean Stockwell and Wallace Berman

    Dean Stockwell and Wallace Berman at Stone Brothers Printing, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.18. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Wallace Berman with a copy of 'Semina'

    Wallace Berman with a copy of Semina no. 1 in the Stone Brothers Printing display window, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.17. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Arthur Richer and Wallace Berman

    Arthur Richer and Wallace Berman at Syndell Studio in Los Angeles, 1957. Richer’s art is in the background. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.16. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Image courtesy of Lauri Richer. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Wallace Berman and the LAPD Vice Squad

    Wallace Berman and the LAPD vice squad at Ferus Gallery, 1957. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.8. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Photo by Charles Brittin

  • Wallace Berman, 1969

    Wallace Berman in 1969. Image courtesy of Malcolm Lubliner and Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica. © Malcolm Lubliner