Hollis Clayson at the presentation of her talk entitled The Dark Side of the Eiffel Tower

The 12th annual Gretchen Taylor Millson Lecture proved to be a success with Hollis Clayson’s fascinating talk entitled “The Dark Side of the Eiffel Tower.”

Clayson, a UCLA Alumna herself, examined aspects of the famous Parisian Tower’s past that have been forgotten or erased including a stint as the prime focus of French industry anxiety, service as the tallest symbol on earth of triumphant French colonialism, and a proposed function as an instrument of brightly illuminated surveillance.

The illuminating presentation was followed by a light reception, celebrating the Millson Lecture and its impact on the UCLA Art History Department.

The Gretchen Taylor Millson Distinguished Lectureship was established in memory of UCLA alumna, Gretchen Millson, in December 2009 by her husband, Dr. John J. Millson. Gretchen graduated from UCLA with a BA from the Art Department in 1961. This endowed fund provides much-needed resources to the department to allow us to grow and continue our long-standing tradition of excellence.

Thank you to all who attended and made the event such a wonderful time.