Afterall Journal critiques Centre Pompidou's LA art survey for colonial framing, offers alternative Pacific views.

In the foreword of Afterall Journal Issue 13, Thomas Lawson critiques the 2006 exhibition at the Centre Pompidou that showcased Los Angeles art from 1955 to 1985, which was touted as the first exploration of an overlooked artistic scene. Lawson points out that the exhibition's use of 'discovery' reflects a colonial mindset, failing to acknowledge influences from the West Coast, such as John Cage's I Ching openness and Beat Zen mysticism. The display juxtaposed Ed Ruscha's 20th-Century Fox with Jack Goldstein's Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Lawson, part of an official Los Angeles delegation, noted that cultural tourism eclipsed meaningful artistic discussions. The journal offers alternative viewpoints from Southern California, proposing that globalization creates enriching interactions beyond colonial frameworks, fostering connections across the Pacific.