Lunchtime lecture: Los Angeles landscapes - the art of Ed Ruscha
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: VB788
Duration: 1 session
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What is the course about?
A Los Angeles landscape sounds easily definable: cars and roads, maybe the beach. In terms of our traditional concept of 'landscape' it feels like there is 'no there there' (to take from Gertrude Stein). Yet, most people know about the beauty of Los Angeles weather. How can looking at Los Angeles and its primarily industrialised landscapes help us to understand our relationship to nature and environment? Where does nature show up in the landscape dominated by human creation? This lecture looks to the artist Ed Ruscha for the answer.
Ruscha has lived and worked in Los Angeles since 1956 and, for many, he is the quintessential Los Angeles artist (even though his work is not exclusively about Los Angeles). This lecture looks at Ruscha's interpretations of Los Angeles how it allows us to think about how human perception is created by environment. We will explore his paintings and prints of the city before going in-depth with his artist's book 'Every Building on the Sunset Strip'.
This is part of our lunchtime lecture series for Term 3. The theme for the lectures is nature. If you're interested in this lecture, you may be interested in other lectures in this series.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
-An introduction to the work of Ed Ruscha
-The importance of light, colour and atmosphere in his works
-How his work on Los Angeles gets us to rethink what a landscape might be
-How studying landscape can open discussion about psychogeography.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Discuss the work of Ed Ruscha
-Explain the concept of psychogeography
-Consider the complexity of the cityscape as a 'natural' space.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels. It will take place online via Zoom, so you should have some basic knowledge of how to use the camera and microphone functions on Zoom.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture and powerpoint slides. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the lecture session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Join our lunchtime lecture series by searching 'lunchtime lectures' on the website
The rise and fall of the Italian Renaissance
Art and criticial theory: rethinking 'nature'
Environment and Politics in Contemporary Art
Representing nature in early modern Europe.
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.