Ed Ruscha : Course of the Empire

Inspired by the symmetrical, Jeffersonian layout of the American Pavilian's Neo-Classical architecture, and by Thomas Cole's cycle of the same name, Ed Ruscha installed this ten-painting "Course of Empire" at the 2005 Venice Biennale.

Five pieces are painted in color and five in black and white.

The artist paired each work from his 1992 "Blue Collar" series with a new color canvas depicting the future of the same urban landscape, some deteriorated, some growing and changing, some seemingly gentrifying.

Essays from Linda Norden, the US Commissioner for the Venice Biennale, and artist Frances Stark celebrate the work, while Joan Didion's coolly written but deeply felt piece about her own brokenhearted longing for Los Angeles hits a perfect note.

Those who love Ruscha will vibrate like tuning forks on finding these pitch-perfect pieces together.