Cartopias
April 7, 2010; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Trousdale Parkway and Alumni Park in front of Doheny Library
Cartopias: Southern California Car Culture, Hot Rods, and the Space Age
In conjunction with Visions and Voices, the USC Libraries present a display of 10 vintage automobiles--including space-age concept cars and classic hot rods--from the golden era of California car culture. At 3:00 p.m., join us for a panel discussion with Leslie Kendall of the Petersen Automotive Museum; Dr. Denise Sandoval of California State University, Northridge; and Beth Werling of the Museum of Natural History of Los Angeles County. The panelists will explore the roots of California car culture in the World War II aviation industry and the beginnings of hot-rod and lowrider automotive subcultures during the 1950s and 1960s.
In addition, the USC Libraries present The Space Age Hits the Road: Visionary Car Designs in America, an exhibition of historic photographs from the libraries' special collections showing the influence of futurist design on U.S. automakers during the 1950s and 1960s. The Space Age Hits the Road will be displayed through May 31 on the ground floor of Doheny Library. For a preview, tour the virtual exhibition.