Episode 11
Los Angeles native Gary Baseman is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the human condition through fine art, illustration, performance, film, fashion, and toy design. Known for his raw style and humor, his art has appeared in international publications (The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone), games and toys (Cranium), digital collectibles (VeVe), and in the ABC/Disney animated series and feature film “Teacher’s Pet,” for which he was creator and executive producer. Baseman’s awards include multiple Emmys, a British Academy of Film & Television Arts award, and Fulbright and Sundance New Frontier fellowships. His many brand collaborations include COACH, Lladro, and Dr. Martens. His fine art has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America.
We highly recommend watching this episode on YouTube, as Gary shows several of his extraordinary drawings onscreen, his cat Bosko drops in several times, and we have embedded photographs and art from Gary’s lifelong history in LA into the video. Our warmest thanks to Gary for sharing his art, his photos, and his stories so generously.
Gary’s five places:
This interview was recorded on May 18, 2023
2. Fairfax district: Pan Pacific auditorium, Pan Pacific movie theatre, and bowling alley. Gilmore drive in, Kiddieland, Tail o’ the Pup, Original Farmer’s Market, CBS Studios. Many of the buildings Gary remembers no longer exist. This neighborhood guide and this post by The Hundreds dig into the history.
4. The Witch’s House aka the Spadena House (though Gary nearly chose “his hill” in Griffith Park)
The tastes that define LA for Gary Baseman: The martini at Musso &Frank; the potato knish with gravy, or the chocolate rugelach at Canter's, the enchiladas Howard at El Coyote.
Related links / Also mentioned in this episode:
Discover more of Gary’s work on his website and instagram
Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall”: The New Yorker’s view of Los Angeles
Remembering Beverly Park and Kiddieland
Beverly Park and Ponyland: The 'Kiddieland' that Inspired Walt Disney
The Carol Burnett show, and The Price is Right.
Jim Heimann and his many books on California
History and photos of the Pan Pacific Auditorium (1935, architects Wurdeman & Becket) and Pan Pacific Movie Theatre (opened 1942, architect William L. Pereira).
A Pan Pacific history from the perspective of Scotty Moore, studio and touring guitarist for Elvis Presley between 1954 and 1968.
Annie Hall driving scene in which the Gilmore drive-in appears at timestamp 1:06
CBS television City (1952, architects Pereira & Luckman)
Credits:
All photos © Gary Baseman 2023 unless otherwise noted
Logo design: still room (www.still-room.com)
Animated logo: Bee Murphy (@supadoopabee on Instagram)
Music: Guido Parisi, www.pond5.com
Produced by: https://laforum.org/
Production team: Emmanuelle Bourlier, Anali Gharakhani, Quynh Nguyen
Creator, executive producer, and host: Emmanuelle Bourlier
This podcast was recorded on Chumash, Tongva and Micqanaqa’n land.
© 2022 Los Angeles Forum AUD, and FIVE PLACES