Retrospective perspectives are odd and useful things — tonight's opening of works from London artist and collector Toby Mott's Mott Collection: Loud Flash: British Punk on Paper exhibition is no different. Like a mouthpiece for a head that no longer exists, his collection of hundreds of posters, 'zines and punk-related ephemera from such disparate artists as Jamie Reid, Linder Sterling (Morrissey's muse) and the late Poly Styrene catch the '70s in a flash-frozen moment of shock and cultural terror. Creeping Thatcherism and the police state that befell the British Isles were in a mutual battle for the hearts and minds — or lack thereof — but there was a small enduring hope that punks could keep their sanity, their sense of humour, through song and righteous anger and imagination. Collections like Mott's are incessantly crucial, if only because the people need constant reminders that they can effect change if they do it themselves. Honor Fraser, 2622 S. La Cienega Blvd.; thru Aug. 27. (310) 837-0191, honorfraser.com

Tuesdays-Saturdays. Starts: July 16. Continues through Aug. 27, 2011

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