Summary
Actual Size is an artist-run gallery formerly located in Chinatown, Los Angeles. The items include mail and gallery advertising materials as well as miscellaneous objects such as keys, birth control containers, and oil pastels.
Historical Note
Actual Size Los Angeles was founded in 2010 by Lee Foley, Justin Greene, Samia Mirza, Esteban Schimpf, and Corrie Siegel. It was located at 741 New High Street in Chinatown, Los Angeles until vacating in 2021. The name "Actual Size" came from a 1962 painting of a can of Spam by Edward Ruscha. The collection was donated by Actual Size and Corrie Siegel. [Sources: 1, 2]
Scope and Contents
Documents: A flyer for an event by Justin John Greene. A publication for a CalArts MFA exhibition. A set of postcards. Two posters. "An Antagonist's Guide to the Assholes of Los Angeles". A 2015 LA Art Book Fair map. Ten pieces of mail, including two pieces of correspondence from Adam D. Miller, two copies of "Chasm of the Supernova" zine, and "Secret Restaurant" book. An exhibition proposal and zine by Adam D. Miller. A business card. Cardstock and cover with cutouts. A 2011 newspaper publication for "Collective Show". A handwritten note referring to a haircut. A file folder containing press releases. A zine from "Sadolescence" at Pehr Space.
Objects: A set of artists' oil pastels. Six birth control containers. A tea candle, Bic lighter, and set of matches. A banner reading "Free Haircuts". Two markers. An item labeled "FIRST ipod". Four identical keys, including one attached to its packaging and a piece of packaging with the key removed. A manila folder. An Ooga Booga sticker. A paper bag. Three colored squares. A six-sided wooden polygon.
Archivist: Zach Whitworth