Skirball Center exhibit explores democracy Oct. 11

In the crucial weeks leading up to the 2012 Presidential election, as political debate reaches a fever pitch, the Skirball Cultural Center opens a major new exhibition anchoring a season of “Democracy Matters at the Skirball.” Organized by the Library of Congress and seen by some two million visitors during its four-year run in the Library’s historic setting, Creating the United States will be on view at the Skirball from October 11, 2012 through February 17, 2013. The exhibition focuses on the founding documents of our republic—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—and reveals how imagination and vision played critical roles in the formation of our nation. On view are original documents, autograph letters, rare books and manuscripts, artifacts, and many more precious and seldom traveled objects from some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions.

“The Skirball Cultural Center is proud to present this adaptation of Creating the United States in its only appearance outside Washington, D.C.,” said Robert Kirschner, Skirball Museum Director. “Rarely has the history of American democracy been so vividly assembled for public exhibition in Southern California.”

Kirschner continued, “Here at the Skirball, we seek to live and practice American democratic ideals. We view this as an expression of our purpose as a Jewish institution. Our hope is that by illuminating the lasting legacy of the founding documents, especially in shaping the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, Creating the United States will inspire visitors to participate in the democratic process today.”

Creating the United States will be complemented by two exhibitions, also on view October 11, 2012–February, 17, 2013. Decades of Dissent: Democracy in Action, 1960­–1980 displays some of the most compelling political art from the famously turbulent era of the 1960s and 1970s. Free to Be U.S.: A First Amendment Experience probes key liberties and encourages visitors to consider their contemporary relevance. In addition, the Skirball’s permanent exhibition, Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America, will feature a special “Lincoln Spotlight” during the run of the three temporary exhibitions. This spotlight will present rare original artifacts on special loan from the Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL.

In anticipation of the exhibitions’ opening, TIME magazine executive editor Nancy Gibbs will discuss her new book (co-authored with Michael Duffy), The President’s Club—which examines the private relationships among modern American presidents—on Thursday, October 4, at 8:00 p.m. This will be followed by an array of exhibition-related talks, performances, classes, and family programs.

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049. Free on-site parking except during Sunset Concerts; street parking strictly prohibited. The Skirball is also accessible by Metro Rapid Bus 761. Museum hours: Tuesday–Friday 12:00–5:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; closed Mondays and holidays. Admission to exhibitions: $10 General; $7 Seniors, Full-Time Students, and Children over 12; $5 Children 2–12. Exhibitions are always free to Skirball Members and Children under 2. Exhibitions are free to all visitors on Thursdays. For general information, the public may call (310) 440-4500 or visit www.skirball.org. The Skirball is also home to Zeidler’s Café, which serves innovative California cuisine in an elegant setting, and Audrey’s Museum Store, which sells books, contemporary art, music, jewelry, and more.