In 1989, over three weeks, and across Los Angeles, including South Central, downtown, Santa Monica, Northridge, and Long Beach, 35 LA media arts organizations presented a celebration of narrative, documentary, and art video. Coordinated by artist Anne Bray, who was working as LACE’s video coordinator, the festival consisted of a carefully designed network of screenings, exhibitions and installations, biweekly cablecasts, community-based panel presentations, and four thematic programs called “Road Shows.” The Road Shows traveled to traditional and non-traditional spaces as well as airing on cable television in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Below is the program we mailed out.
Founders: Claire Aguilar, Anne Bray, Nancy Buchanan, Ben Caldwell, Martha Chono-Helsley, Mar Elepaño. Abraham Ferrrer, Cheri Gaulke, Quito Hernandez, Michelle Hirschhorn, Larry Horne, Kenneth Kirby, Gina Lamb, Julie Lazar, O. Funmilayo Makarah, and Antonio Ogaz who hired Luis Garza the first year under the support of American Film Institute for the first 5 years by Terry Lawler.
Participating artists included Juan Garza and Tomata du Plenty, CalArts students, Cheryl Gaulke, Ulysses Jenkins, Zeinabu Irene Davis, and Jeffrey Vallance.
Freewaves is currently deepening and reorganizing our archive of 35 years of public art in Los Angeles. Check back in 2025 to explore our history.
