The Petersen Automotive Museum’s latest exhibit, “Eyes on the Road: Art of the Automotive Landscape,” is now open in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery. The exhibit showcases a curated selection of futuristic concept cars and artwork from renowned artists, including Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol and David Hockney. The display explores the relationship between art, automotive innovation and the motoring environment.
“Eyes on the Road: Art of the Automotive Landscape” presents the work of artists and designers whose imaginative creations transformed the motoring environment and the automobile itself from mundane facets of daily life into subjects of wonder and beauty.
The display is divided into five sections: vehicle concepts, sign language, at the pump, highways and street art. Vehicle concepts showcases rare, fantastical concept vehicles from the 1930s and 1950s. The sign language section features road signage found on cross-country roadways as interpreted by contemporary artists. At the pump focuses on art pieces from pop art iconographer Ruscha and artist Vik Muniz, while the street art section exhibits work by Mr. Brainwash, Steve O’Loughlin’s “Freeway Box” (created specifically for the exhibition) and Larry Yust’s “Third Street,” highlighting his signature photographic elevation method.
Highlighted vehicles on display include rarely seen concept cars, such as the 1934 Dymaxion, 1956 American Motors Astra-Gnome, 1955 Ghia Gilda and 1969 Chevrolet Astro III. Visitors will also enjoy notable art pieces, including Hockney’s “Mulholland Drive” (1986), Warhol’s “Mobil Gas” (1985) and Ruscha’s “Standard Station” (1966).
“This exhibit represents the fusion of artistic expression, automotive ingenuity and observation of the motoring environment,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “It also perfectly illustrates how artists can reveal the beauty hidden in plain sight throughout the world in which we drive.”
“Eyes on the Road: Art of the Automotive Landscape” will be on display until November 2024. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit Petersen.org/exhibits.