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The Participant - Fall 2017 » Juan Downey: Radiant Nature

Juan Downey: Radiant Nature

Graphic of Juan Downey: Radiant NatureJuan Downey: Radiant Nature, a joint exhibition by Pitzer College Art Galleries and (LACE) Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, became a part of Los Angeles art history when it opened in September in Claremont and Los Angeles. Radiant Nature, which explored the works the Chilean-born artist Juan Downey created between 1967 and 1974, was part of the Getty-led Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA initiative.

With support from the Getty Foundation, co-curators Ciara Ennis, director of Pitzer College Art Galleries, and Robert Crouch, Pasadena Arts Council executive and artistic director, spent years researching Downey’s early, often ephemeral works, many of which hadn’t been seen for decades.

Photo Gallery
People enter the Nichols Gallery at Pitzer College.
People enter the Nichols Gallery at Pitzer College.
Entrance of the Nichols Gallery, Pitzer College. Photo by William Vasta.
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View of
View of
Overview of "Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" exhibition at the opening reception in Nichols Gallery, Pitzer College. Photo by William Vasta.
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Photograph of artist Juan Downey's journals and drawings.
Photograph of artist Juan Downey's journals and drawings.
Juan Downey's art journals displayed in Nichols Gallery, Pitzer College. Photo by William Vasta.
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Installation view of
Installation view of
Installation view of "Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" at Nichols Gallery, Pitzer College. "Pollution Robot" with robot, sketches, drawings and videos. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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A man interacts with a kinetic sculpture in the Lenzner Family Art Gallery at Pitzer College.
A man interacts with a kinetic sculpture in the Lenzner Family Art Gallery at Pitzer College.
"Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" exhibition at the Lenzner Family Art Gallery, Pitzer College. "Information Center," 1970/2017. Formica, mirror, 25-watt lightbulbs, electronic components, 4 light beam sensors and 4 playback devices with speakers. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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Installation view of
Installation view of
"Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" exhibition at LACE (Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions). "Energy Fields" 1972, enlarged photographic documentation and rehearsal video of video-performance. Right: "Nazca", 1974, enlarged photographic documentation of video-performance. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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Installation view of enlarged photographic documentation of video performance in 1972 at LACE, Los Angeles.
Installation view of enlarged photographic documentation of video performance in 1972 at LACE, Los Angeles.
"Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" exhibition at LACE. Left and middle: "Debriefing Pyramid", 1974. Enlarged photographic documentation of video-performance. Right: "Three Way Communication by Light", 1972, video installation transferred to digital media. On wall: "Plato Now", 1974. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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Installation view of
Installation view of
Installation view of "Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" at Nichols Gallery, Pitzer College. Electronic sculpture, video and drawings, "Pollution Robot," 1970. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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Close-up photo of bee hive in the Nichols Gallery.
Close-up photo of bee hive in the Nichols Gallery.
"Juan Downey, Radiant Nature" exhibition of live bee hive, part of "Life Cycle: Electric Light + Water + Soil → Flowers → Bees → Honey", 1971/2017. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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Close-up of video monitor and plants in the Nichols Gallery.
Close-up of video monitor and plants in the Nichols Gallery.
"Juan Downey, Radiant Nature," part of "Life Cycle: Electric Light + Water + Soil → Flowers → Bees → Honey", 1971/2017. Hives, lavender, rosemary, red apple ground cover, flowers, video camera, video monitor, retro grow lights. Photo by Robert Wedemeyer.
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President and Suzanne Oliver and guests at the President's Reception.
President and Suzanne Oliver and guests at the President's Reception.
General Counsel of Chile in Los Angeles Jorge Table Canelo, Suzanne Oliver, Getty Senior Program Officer Heather McDonald, Director and Curator of the Pitzer Art Galleries Ciara Ennis and President Melvin L. Oliver at the President's Reception for "Juan Downey, Radiant Nature." Photo by William Vasta.
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President Melvin L. Oliver gives the welcoming remarks at the President's Reception.
President Melvin L. Oliver gives the welcoming remarks at the President's Reception.
President Melvin L. Oliver gives his welcoming remarks at the President's Reception for "Juan Downey: Radiant Nature." Photo by William Vasta.
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President Melvin L. Oliver and Suzanne Oliver with Marilys Downey.
President Melvin L. Oliver and Suzanne Oliver with Marilys Downey.
President Melvin L. Oliver and Suzanne Oliver with Marilys Downey, widow of Juan Downey (center). Photo by William Vasta.
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Robert Crouch and Ciara Ennis, curators of the art exhibition
Robert Crouch and Ciara Ennis, curators of the art exhibition
Robert Crouch and Ciara Ennis, curators of the art exhibition "Juan Downey: Radiant Nature." Photo by William Vasta.
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The Participant Fall 2017

  • President’s Message: Melvin L. Oliver
  • Pitzer Pathfinder: Philip K. Frykman ’90
  • Class of 2021
  • Pathfinding Trustees Align Endowment with Values
  • Around The Mounds
  • Pitzer’s Charter Class of 1968
  • Juan Downey: Radiant Nature
  • Professor Jesse Lerner’s PST: LA/LA exhibition on Latin America and Disney
  • Written in the Stars: Meet Keck Dean Ulysses Sofia
  • Pitzer Field Notes
  • In Memoriam: Professor Harry Senn
  • New Faculty
  • Davis World College Scholars
  • Sagehen Sports
  • Alumni Run for US Congress
  • Class Notes
  • Pitzer Participant: Louise Beaudette Thornton ’68
Read the Fall 2017 edition of
The Participant as a PDF
2017 Fall Participant Cover Participant Plus Supplementary multimedia content
Class of 2021
New Student WelcomePhotos & Video

First Days for First-Years

This August, Pitzer’s new students moved into their dorm rooms and set out on orientation adventures to kick off what President Melvin L. Oliver called “an exciting year of growth and discovery.”

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PST: LA/LA
View of "Juan Downey: Radiant Nature" in Nichols Gallery.Photos

Juan Downey: Radiant Nature

This joint exhibition by Pitzer College Art Galleries and LACE opened in September as part of the Getty-led Pacific Standard Time LA/LA initiative. The exhibition explored the works of Chilean-born artist Juan Downey.

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