EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS AT A GLANCE
May 5 Discovery Day- Bejewel A Bag for Mom!
May 6 Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance
May 10 Zocalo Public Square: Does ExxonMobil rule the world?
May 15 Gallery Talk: Italian Style and Fashion
May 28 Open Memorial Day
June 2 Discovery Day- Gift Bags For Dad
June 16 Exhibit Opens – Aerodynamics: From Art To Science
July 7 Discovery Day- FANtastic Summer
July 23-27 Miracle Mile Summer Camp
August 4 Discovery Day- Thirst Quenchers
August 21 Gallery Talk: 100 Years of Bertone
September 1 Discovery Day- Back to School Pencil Topper
October 6 Discovery Day- Haunted Cars
November 3 Discovery Day- Car Magnets
December 1 Discovery Day- Calendar Time
Through May 27 Gordon R. Howard Gallery- Scooters: Size Doesn't Always Matter
Through Feb 3, 2012 Grand Salon- Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design
NEW EXHIBITS
AERODYNAMICS: FROM ART TO SCIENCE
Gordon R. Howard Gallery
Opens June 16
During more than a century of innovation, automobile manufacturers have dreamed up some unusual body designs. From strange to stunning, the large majority of them were created in an effort to increase driving performance by reducing wind resistance. When a network of high-speed motorways began to blanket the world, the need for genuine advances became ever more important and scientific experimentation yielded vehicle shapes that were becoming increasingly sophisticated. The Petersen Automotive Museum exhibition Aerodynamics: From Art to Science will present an entertaining and enlightening visual overview of the landmarks of aerodynamic design. From the quirky 1928 Martin Aerodynamic and pioneering 1940 BMW 328 Mille Miglia to the latest ultra-efficient concept cars of today, more than a dozen vehicles will be on hand to illustrate how the art of streamlining evolved into the science of aerodynamics.
NEW EVENTS
Curator’s TourSculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design
Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Join Curator Leslie Kendall for in-depth exploration of the feature exhibition Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design. The tour will explore the history of Italian automotive design from early small-scale coach builders to modern major design houses with international influence. . Call 323-964-6347, email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.
Gallery Talk: Italian Style & Fashion
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Italian style is appreciated around the world not only as expressed through automotive design but through clothing fashion as well. Dennita Sewell, Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum, will present the history and development of Italian fashion in the 20th century as a counter-point to the automotive designs on display at the Petersen. . Call 323-964-6347, email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.
CAMP MIRACLE MILE
Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27
“I’m bored.” Parents hear this every summer but no one has to be bored in Los Angeles! Kids can have an exciting and educational experience this summer by joining Camp Miracle Mile, a joint project of the A+D Architecture and Design Museum, the Craft and Folk Art Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum who are partnering to provide kids with fun summer days. Campers get to experience all three museums with fun craft, design, and art projects with something to appeal to any boy or girl ages 7-12. Sign up for Camp Miracle Mile and make this summer special! Call (323) 964-6308, or email [email protected] for more details.
Gallery Talk: 100 Years of Bertone
Tuesday, August 21, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Brand and Design Director for Stile Bertone Michael Robinson will share the past 100 years of design history from this esteemed Italian automotive design house. Mr. Robinson is an American car designer who has lived and worked in Italy for the past 33 years. Some of the most well-known designs to come from Bertone include the spectacular Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica series from the 1950s, the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, and the Lancia Stratos Zero among many others. Call 323-964-6347, email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.
DISCOVERY DAY
Car Activities & L.A. BookPALS
First Saturday of every month, 1-4pm
Join us on the first Saturday of each month for arts and crafts, and at 2:30pm, actors from L.A. BookPALS read stories. The program is included in Museum general admission. Call 323-964-6308 for more information. Future topics include:
May 5, 2012 Bejewel a Bag for Mom!
Mother’s Day is coming soon, make mom a present!
June 2, 2012 Gift Bags for Dad
Decorate these gift bags and think up what to fill them with for Father’s Day!
July 7, 2012 FANtastic Summer
Decorate an automotive themed fan and use it to cool you down this summer!
August 4, 2012 Thirst Quenchers
Don’t go thirsty this summer! Join us and decorate your own sippy cup.
September 1, 2012 Back to School
Cool Design your own car pencil topper to remind you of the Museum while you’re at school!
October 6, 2012 Haunted Cars
Scare your friends this Halloween by making your very own mini wooden monster car!
November 3, 2012 Car Magnets
Keep your refrigerator door deCARated with a clever car magnet!
December 1, 2012 Calendar Time
Create a kooky car calendar and prepare for the new year!
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
SCULPTURE IN MOTION: MASTERPIECES OF ITALIAN DESIGN
Grand Salon
Through February 3, 2013
From the grand classics of the 1930s to modern supercars of today, Italian designers have influenced the look of automobiles on a global scale. The Petersen Automotive Museum exhibition on Italian design will explore the many ways in which Italian coachbuilders and manufacturers have contributed to the evolution of the automobile from a collection of disorganized parts to a single, visually appealing unit. Already well aware of the Italian contribution in the look of clothing, art, and architecture, museum visitors will be fascinated to learn that the country that gave the world Michelangelo and Botticelli also gave it the designers responsible for the exotic and inspired automobiles we have now come to expect from Italy.
FROM SILVER SCREEN TO DIE-CAST: DISNEY-PIXAR CARS IMAGINED BY MATTEL
Through April 29, 2012
Hollywood Gallery
In celebration of their Disney•Pixar Cars die-cast vehicles collection, Mattel, the #1 toy maker, will unveil From Silver Screen to Die-cast: Disney•Pixar Cars Imagined by Mattel, a comprehensive exhibit showcasing the history of its Cars die-cast collection. This special six-month exhibit offers families and Cars collectors an entertaining and informative glimpse into Mattel’s blockbuster toy line.
THE ARTWORK OF PETE MILLAR
Through April 29, 2012
Art Wall
This exhibition will feature original illustrations of satirical cartoonist Pete Millar, best known for his hot rod and drag racing comics of the 1950s and 1960s. Originally an engineer before changing careers, Millar created Rod and Custom’s famous cartoon mascot, Arin Cee, and oversaw the creation and development of CARtoons Magazine and Drag Cartoons, publications that are now highly collectible.
Scooters: Size Doesn't Always Matter
Through May 27, 2012
Gordon R. Howard Gallery
With today's high fuel prices, growing traffic congestion, and environmental consciousness, people are looking for easier, cheaper and cleaner ways to get where they are going. The diminutive scooter has been popular for generations in other countries, yet until recently has remained but a footnote in American transportation culture. This exhibit will explore different types of scooters from around the world, how and why they differ, and the culture that surrounds them.
IMAGINING THE FUTURE:
The Southern California Automotive Design Studio,
Presented in Cooperation with Art Center College of Design
Ongoing Exhibit
Visitors will see a comparison of a 1930's studio with a modern-day studio with various examples of the creative process in 2-D and 3-D form from different points in California's rich automotive history. Design demonstrations by Art Center students will occur in the exhibit on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from approximately 10am-3pm.
HOT WHEELS® HALL OF FAME
The Hot Wheels Hall of Fame at the Petersen Automotive Museum, features Hot Wheels® full-size and die-cast cars, original models, wooden patterns, injection molds and drawings of original vehicle designs.
ALTERNATIVE POWER: LESSONS FROM THE PAST, INSPIRATION FOR THE FUTURE
From the highly styled 1963 Chrysler Turbine to the General Motors EV1, automobiles equipped with innovative propulsion systems are presented to illustrate the growth of alternative vehicle technology.
MAY FAMILY DISCOVERY CENTER
Open Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm
The May Family Discovery Center is an interactive learning center that teaches basic scientific principles using the fundamental elements of the car.
SPECIAL FEATURES AT THE PETERSEN
SPECIAL EVENTS AND FILMING – Please call (323) 964-6348 or visit www.petersenevents.org to host your event or shoot film at one of LA's most exciting venues!
BIRTHDAY PARTIES - The Museum offers a wonderful venue for children’s birthday parties. Party guests can enjoy all three floors of the museum including the May Family Discovery Center. For more information or to book your party, call 323-964-6373.
SCHOOL TOURS- Taking a field trip to the Pete is an excellent way to teach your students about the history of Los Angeles and its intertwined relationship with the automobile. Students learn basic scientific principles and their applications as they explore hands-on activities in the Discovery Center. School Tours focus on history/social science, visual arts, and science & technology. Call (323) 964-6358 for information and reservations.
GROUP TOURS – A docent-led tour is available to groups of ten or more. - (323) 964-6346.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Come and be a part of the Petersen’s “Pit Crew”. For an application or more information call - (323) 964-6358, email [email protected], or visit www.petersen.org.
MUSEUM STORE – Excellent souvenirs and gifts for auto enthusiasts (323) 964-6328.