Military Technology's Influence on California's Light and Space Movement Explored in PST ART Exhibitions
The PST ART: Art and Science Collide program in Los Angeles examines how the military and aerospace sectors have shaped California's Light and Space art movement. Fred Eversley, who transitioned from engineering to art in 1967, presents his work in the exhibition Cylindrical Lenses at David Kordansky Gallery. Helen Pashgian's piece, Untitled (2023), is part of Caltech's Crossing Over: Art and Science at Caltech, 1920–2020, where both artists utilize materials sourced from defense industries. Contemporary highlights include Xin Liu's The White Stone (2021) and Olafur Eliasson's installation at MOCA. The initiative debuted at USC's Memorial Coliseum with Cai Guo-Qiang's fireworks, which resulted in first aid for some attendees and an apology from the Getty. It continues until February 16.
Key facts
- Fred Eversley was an engineer at Wyle Laboratories before becoming a Light and Space artist in 1967.
- Eversley's sculptures use polyurethane resin originally for military purposes and a 1940s turntable that cast nuclear bomb components.
- Helen Pashgian accessed volatile polymer compounds during a 1969 residency at Caltech.
- Lens shapes in Light and Space works echo optical lenses and high-explosive lenses from nuclear bombs.
- PST ART: Art and Science Collide includes exhibitions at David Kordansky Gallery, Caltech, Benton Museum of Art, and MOCA Geffen Contemporary.
- Cai Guo-Qiang's launch event at USC Memorial Coliseum used gunpowder and AI drones, causing injuries and a Getty apology.
- California's defense sector employs the most federal personnel and generates $190 billion annually.
- The initiative runs through February 16 in Los Angeles.
Entities
Artists
- Fred Eversley
- Helen Pashgian
- Robert Morris
- Donald Judd
- Xin Liu
- Olafur Eliasson
- Cai Guo-Qiang
- Claudia Ross
Institutions
- Wyle Laboratories
- NASA
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- US Department of Defense
- David Kordansky Gallery
- Caltech
- Pomona College
- Benton Museum of Art
- MOCA
- Geffen Contemporary
- USC
- Memorial Coliseum
- Getty
- PST ART
- Art and Science Collide
- ArtReview
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Venice Beach
- California
- Southwest China