Love Lowriders? Check Out This "Best Museum Exhibition"

Hispanic Times Magazine, March, 2000

On display currently at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is the most comprehensive exhibition ever assembled on lowriders. The exhibit will continue through May 28.

The event is designed to showcase a range of historic and innovative customized lowriders, from the classic 1930 to 1940 models known as "bombs", to the popular Chevy Impalas of the late 50's and 60's. Also included are examples of lowrider trucks and bicycles -- an offshoot of the lowrider aesthetic taken up by youths.

"Arte y Estilo", the lowriding tradition, is presenting this exhibition, which is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

Among the 20 featured cars are the 1979 Lincoln "Las Vegas" car -- which has been completely styled asa casino on wheels, the historic 1964 Chevy Impala "Gypsy Rose" and the 1973 Ford Thunderbird "Star Car," a tribute to Michael Jackson.

While the phenomenon of lowriding has spread, both locally across cultures, and geographically, as far as Japan, this exhibition focuses on the vehicles, customizing styles and social rituals created by the Los Angeles area Mexican American community, which is credited for popularizing the lowriding style.

The Museum hired guest curator Denise Sandoval and photographers, Estevan Orlol and Tatiana, to research and document the local lowriding scene to create an original exhibition. Photos and personal quotes reveal the faces, voices and skills of the men and women who have contributed to the near fifty-year history of lowriding.

To compliment the visually exciting vehicles, Arte y Estilo is presenting (in English and Spanish) a fascinating historical over-view, from the influence of the burgeoning post World War II car industry in Los Angeles on the lowrider evolution, to the cruising scene, the invention of performance hydraulics, and the formation of car clubs and super shows.

From a cultural aspect, Arte y Estilo document a range of social activities relevant to lowriding, such as the annual Blessing of the Cars and the Azalea Festival, wedding Caravans, quinceaneras (15th birthday celebrations), cars shows, picnics and cruising. Finely detailed and handpainted murals and glass etchings on the cars depict personal and historic moments such as the Chicano Movement, Aztian, the metaphoric Chicano homeland, Aztec mythology, religious figures, deceased family members, and many contemporary themes. Images range from pin-up models and gangster take offs, to the Virgin of Guadeloupe, and the el pachuco movement of the 1940s.

While the exhibition reveals the uniquely Mexican American attributes of lowriding, it also points out the parallel passion that lowriders share with other car customizing aficionados -- to create a beautiful ride, a technically perfect machine, a beautiful masterpiece; to compete it and "strut your stuff," is a common bond among all who are drawn to automotive customizing.

This exhibition is accompanied by a 68 page catalog produced by the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (al Fairfax) in Los Angeles. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum's website address at www.petersen.org