Through October 3, 2010

FANTASIES IN FIBERGLASS                                         

Gordon R. Howard Gallery

Invented in the 1930s, fiberglass was first used as heat insulation before automobile enthusiasts came to recognize its potential as a material for car bodies and other components. From Corvettes to dune buggies, many of the most iconic fiberglass customs and production cars of the past half-century will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum beginning in the spring of 2010.  Together, they offer an interesting contrast to both the mainstream cars that populate our motoring landscape and those made of carbon fiber, the newest wonder material to be embraced by today’s innovators.
 
AUTOMOTIVATED: STREAMLINED FASHION AND AUTOMOBILESOpens Saturday, July 24, through January 23, 2011Bruce Meyer GalleryFashion design and automobile design have been intertwined from the start. This exhibit features automotive derived fashion ensembles from the collection of the Phoenix Art Museum paired with their automobile counterparts of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Fashions include signaling gloves from the turn of the twentieth century through the elegant gowns of the Art Deco period.

 
 
MARGIE AND ROBERT E. PETERSEN: DRIVEN TO COLLECTOpens Saturday, June 19, 2010 through February 13, 2011Grand Salon

During his lifetime, Robert E. Petersen, together with his wife Margie, acquired dozens of important automobiles. Today the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Collection contains one of the most diverse samplings of important vehicles ever assembled.  Each one offers a look into our rich motoring heritage and if they appear familiar, it is because you have likely seen them on television, in movies, or in displays at other museums and events around the world.

 
Through November 7, 2010Art WallRalph Allen Massey’s current series, entitled Information Art, is a reflection of the barrage of random, unrelated images generated by all forms of media with which society is assaulted daily.  Massey groups the images into modules to emphasize that the compositions are indeed both arbitrary and unrelated, then overlaps the images to further play down their priority or relative importance.  Massey believes that, like the trends in automotive design, art is a continuum with exciting new developments just around the corner.

 

Film Screening

 Automorphosis

Tuesday, October 5, 2010  7:30 p.m.

Grand Salon

The award-winning film "Automorphosis" is a 77 minute tribute to art cars and explores the psychology of the artist and what inspires creation. Thirteen years in the making, and shot on super 16mm, this film is a feast for the eyes and features over 100 art cars including such fantastic vehicles as the "Telephone Car," the "Hamburger Harley," and the “Carthedral,” a Gaudi-inspired Cathedral on wheels. 

Director Harrod Blank will be touring with his new film "HTAutomorphosisTH" by actually driving from venue to venue in his Camera Van (a van covered with 2,750 cameras).  In addition, he will be joined by a caravan of 10-20 art cars making this a unique combination of art & film in an experiment to find a new way in independent film distribution.  So come early to see the art cars and meet the director before viewing this unique documentary! Admission is free for Petersen Automotive Museum members; $10 for non-members. Reservations recommended.  Call 323-964-6347 or email HTU This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it UTH for more information or to RSVP.