WELCOME!

Claudia Pretelin, New York City, 2016. © Image courtesy of Bryan Murray
Welcome to Instruments of Memory. I am Claudia Pretelin, an art historian, independent curator, and producer based in Los Angeles. I founded Instruments of Memory in 2016 as an online platform dedicated to documenting and celebrating women’s contributions to the arts through conversations, curated exhibitions, and collaborative programs with community partners.
 
Subscribe to the newsletter for updates on my latest projects. For more information, explore the news section for details on previous work.
 
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DON’T MISS!

Artist Conversation: Arturo Soto and Claudia Pretelin
Saturday, July 18, 2026
1:00 PM  2:00 PM
Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles
1933 South Broadway Suite 430
Los Angeles, California, 90007
United States (map)

Join us for a conversation with Arturo Soto and curator Claudia Pretelin on the occasion of Soto’s exhibition Today, something.

At the PAC LA Gallery Space at the Reef | Saturday, July 18 1:00 PM | To register CLICK HERE

Image © Arturo Soto

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

Natura Naturata: Nature’s Action
Sturt Haaga Gallery
Descanso Gardens
January 24–May 31, 2026


Natura Naturata: Nature’s Action featured the work of eight artists who explore their bond with the natural world through contemporary photography and video. By means of the conceptual and visual decomposition of natural elements, this diverse body of work delves into themes related to our connection with the environment, as well as complex examinations of human impact on nature. 

Natura Naturata: Nature’s Action is curated by Claudia Pretelin.
Exhibiting artists include Luciana Abait, Laura Aguilar, Jackie Castillo, Maru García, Graciela Iturbide, Carolina Montejo, Tricia Rainwater, and Rosana Schoijett.

Printed and supported by Weldon Color Lab and The Unwrong Auction

Our Landscapes Within
SHOW LA
The Reef
February 26- March 1, 2026

Our Landscapes Within is an exploration of identity through the lens of four contemporary women photographers. Each artist presents a unique perspective on the rich and diverse visual representations of Afro-descendants’ legacy across four distinct regions of Mexico. Through their work, these photographers delve into the cultural heritage, traditions, and stories that shape the lives of these communities, inviting viewers to engage with and appreciate the profound connections between ancestry and contemporary identity in Mexico.

Curated by Claudia Pretelin.
Works by Koral Carballo, Carolina Fuentes, Judith Romero and Vanessa Quintero Castañeda


Stay tuned for more!


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