Made in California

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This opulent volume, published alongside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibition, explores the dynamic relationship between the arts and popular conceptions of California. It challenges readers to reconsider how the state has been portrayed and imagined, showcasing a rich array of fine art and material culture. With over 1,200 artworks and artifacts, the book features more than 400 works across various media, including painting, sculpture, and film, alongside 150 cultural artifacts such as brochures and personal letters that illustrate the complexity of twentieth-century California. Arranged by theme, the objects provide a visual tour of California's evolution—from a bountiful paradise early in the century to a glamour capital in the 1920s and 1930s, a suburban utopia in the late '40s and '50s, a counterculture haven in the '60s and '70s, and a multicultural frontier in the '80s and '90s. The exploration of these themes enriches our understanding of the state's artistic traditions and history. Divided into five twenty-year sections, each features a narrative essay discussing the era's history and its visual culture. Two key themes emerge: the landscape, both natural and built, and California's multifaceted relationships with Latin America and Asia. Geographer Michael Dear provides an overview of California's social history, while essayist Richard Rodriguez offers a personal reflection on the Golden State.