Lummis

 

Los Angeles, CA  90042

 

 

 

 

 

July 10, 2006

 

 

 

Mayor Villaraigosa

200 North Spring Street, Room 303

Los Angeles, CA  90012

 

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa:

 

IÕm one of the original members of The Friends of the Southwest Museum and a recognized poet in this city, and IÕm mindful of the problems—both structural and financial—that challenge the museum.  I believe, though, that the Southwest can continue as a museum and as a showcase for its collections, and also that it can adapt, grow and expand its uses without losing its essential character. 

 

One possibility under discussion is that the location can be transformed into a community arts center.  Certainly other museums in Los Angeles are sponsoring arts activities, and reaching out and engaging the larger arts community in all kinds of innovative ways, while still functioning as museums.  IÕve participated in poetry readings at both MOCA and The Natural History Museum.  In fact, the Natural History Museum, in a sort of two-tiered project, commissioned artists to create works in response to some of their exhibits, then commissioned poets to respond to the artistsÕ works.  And the results were celebrated with panel discussions and poetry readings inside the building.  At MOCA the readings took place right in a central gallery, so that the canvases on display surrounded the audience and poets.  This gives me the sense that a museum can offer many of the features of an arts center, and be a lively and engaged presence in the community, but also continue as a museum. 

 

The Southwest Museum has stood on Mount Washington since 1913, even before the construction of Los AngelesÕ first freeway, which it now towers above, and of course well before the Hollywood sign was erected a stretch over to the west—and before many other iconic buildings and landmarks rose up and captured for a while the spirit of the city, then vanished.   IÕve only lived here since 1979, but in that time IÕve discovered that in Los Angeles itÕs risky to become attached to anything whatsoever thatÕs set down in a place. Next time one goes around itÕs likely to have been converted into a video rental or electronics store.  In this respect, Los Angeles has too often been the city plunging headlong into the future without observing the truth Charles Lummis inscribed on the Southwest Museum: Manana flor de sus ayeres.  Tomorrow is the flower of our yesterdays.

 

July 10, 2006

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I believe the Old Man hoped his boldly imagined structure in its lovingly chosen location would give rise to other museums around the Southwest, but not that it would become just an annex to a preexisting institution.  I donÕt mean any disrespect to the Autry, and IÕm not advocating that everything remain in a state of stasis.   I believe the union can produce interesting results, helpful to everyone.

 

Clearly not all the textiles and fragile items can fit comfortably and safely into the present structure, but that shouldnÕt mean the collection must be permanently separated from the unique building that was designed especially to house it.  I believe that with a renewal of commitment and energy from the community, the City of Los Angeles, and from all parties, the great old mothership of pre-Hollywood Los Angeles history and culture can flourish again. 

 

Yours very truly,

 

 

Suzanne Lummis

 

 

cc:  The Human Resources Commission, Gary de la Rosa

        Councilmember Jose Huizar

        Councilmember Ed Reyes

        Councilmember Tom LaBonge

        Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition

        John Gray, The Autry National Center