Field Notes: Petersen Automotive Museum’s “Best in Low” exhibition
Welcome to 'Field Notes,' a NOMMO blog series featuring nationwide exhibition reviews that prioritize Black history, art, and culture. Traditionally, field notes are a researcher's written record of their observations, experiences, and insights while conducting research in the field. They are a vital part of many types of research, mainly qualitative inquiry. Our field notes recenter the African/Diasporic experiences within museum settings to assist in accessibility to those museums and galleries for all.
In September 2024, NOMMO Cultural Strategies had the privilege of visiting the "Best in Low" exhibition at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The exhibition celebrated Southern California's iconic lowrider culture, emphasizing the profound impact of the Chicano community through their innovative design, style, and engineering. The displayed vehicles' craftsmanship was breathtaking, reflecting a profound pride and heritage.
NOMMO was particularly impressed by how the exhibition connected lowrider culture with the broader cultural landscape of Southern California. It effectively traced the evolution of lowriders from local Chicano expressions of community and artistry to global symbols embraced by diverse cultures. The significant role of Hip-Hop and Black music in propelling lowriders into the international spotlight was highlighted.
While the exhibition did an exceptional job of showcasing Chicano contributions, NOMMO sees an exciting curatorial opportunity for future museum exhibits to enrich car history further by delving deeper into Black lowrider culture's seldom-seen historical and artistic contributions to this sub-culture.
As noted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Black lowrider culture ran adjacent to Chicano communities in the southwest - specifically in Southern California, particularly in cities like San Diego, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, which have long made their contributions to car culture. Post-World War II, Black culture, notably music, fashion, and automotive innovation, also influenced and was shared between both communities. This cultural exchange (Black and Chicano) was married and amplified in the 1990s through Gangsta Rap and Hip-Hop. Moreover, Black musical contributions and lowrider crews were pivotal in popularizing and globalizing the movement - from the United States to Japan.
NOMMO believes future museum-catered lowrider exhibitions could benefit from a more focused or ethnically integrated approach. Such an approach would highlight how ethnic communities like Blacks and Chicanos have collaboratively shaped and expanded lowrider culture across time. Acknowledging these communities' shared contributions would accomplish an inclusive view of this cultural phenomenon and resonate with broader audiences and patrons.
Petersen's "Best in Low" is a remarkable exhibition. It not only provided valuable insights into how lowriders have become symbols of cultural pride and creativity, but it also did so in a culturally competent and relevant way. In short, It is a must-see for anyone interested in Southern California's vibrant car culture and, ultimately, its global impact.