Immersive panoramic installations are the philosophical center of the VP and are presented on a semi-permanent basis. Former works included: “Panorama of the Valley of the Smokes” (2000-2004), a surreal scene of the LA basin 200 years ago and “Effulgence of the North” (2007-2017), a hypnotic depiction of the Arctic landscape by night. “Shengjing Panorama,” (2019-present), our current panorama on view, is a visionary experience of daily life in Shenyang, China circa 1910-1930 and the first ever US-China collaborative panorama.

Beyond the panorama, the VP curates highly collaborative performances, film screenings and illustrated lectures on visual art, arcane culture and experimental media. Programs include: “Union Square Florist Shop,” a living installation and performance of a bygone flower store circa 1969; an archo-historical illustrated lecture by the Shenyang Visual Archive; an evening of magic lantern performances by Charlotte Pryce; a 16mm film screen series with Jesse Lerner exploring themes of tourism, documentary, surrealism and archaeology in Mexican cinema; theatrical performances of “The Grand Moving Mirror of California,” a moving panorama tradition dating back to 1853.

Our blossoming garden is an extension of immersive landscape art offering an oasis of lush, tropical foliage. Located in Council District 8, we are open to the public weekly on a by-donation basis and serve an annual visitorship of over 15,000 people. Our performances, exhibits programs are primarily focused on serving the Los Angeles community at our headquarters in West Adams/University Park but we reach additional audiences nationally and internationally by sharing our work at festivals, universities, conferences and other presenting opportunities including via postal mail.