Gary Baseman, The Celebration of Toby, 2005 (detail), acrylic on wood panel, 24” x 18”, private collection, Los Angeles
Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open
On view now through August 18, 2013
ADMISSION
- Included with Museum admission:
- $10 General
- $7 Seniors and Full-Time Students
- $5 Children 2–12
- FREE to Members and Children under 2
- FREE to all on Thursdays
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Enter the fantastic world of artist, illustrator, animator, and toy designer Gary Baseman in this first major museum exhibition of his life and work. Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open explores the influences of Baseman’s Jewish family heritage and American popular culture on his exuberant, boundary-defying art.
Watch this YouTube video for an in-depth look at Gary Baseman’s art process:
Baseman’s creative universe comes alive with paintings, photographs, textiles, toys, sketchbooks, and videos presented in a setting that recalls his family home in Los Angeles’ Fairfax district, with furniture and memorabilia from his personal collection. The exhibition includes a vibrant array of Baseman’s illustrations for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, and Rolling Stone, original paintings and sketches for the Emmy Award–winning animated Disney series Teacher’s Pet, and trailblazing artwork for the board game Cranium.
Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open celebrates Baseman’s dynamic vision and inspires visitors to discover the creativity within themselves.
Lively related programs are in the works. Check back for updates!
More about Gary Baseman
Gary Baseman was born in Los Angeles in 1960 to Polish-born Holocaust survivors. He began his career as a successful illustrator in the 1980s, then transitioned into fine art in 1999, gaining wide recognition for his whimsical and imaginative paintings. His work has been shown at the Antonio Colombo Arte Contemporanea in Milan, Italy, and at several New York galleries. He also has pieces in the permanent collections at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Modern Art in Rome, Italy. In 2000 Baseman achieved popular renown as creator and executive producer of Disney’s animated television series Teacher’s Pet, which ran from 2000 to 2002, and was made into a feature film in 2004. At around the same time, his iconic artwork began to infiltrate American homes through the best-selling board game Cranium. His innovative vinyl figurines have been produced all around the world, and some of his limited-edition characters, such as Dumb Luck, Toby, ChouChou, and Buckingham Warrior, are highly sought-after collectibles.
SPONSORS
THIS EXHIBITION AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
ARE MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY SUPPORT FROM:
Shula Nazarian and Bruce Adlhoch
Astek Wallcovering
Scott and Lannette Turicchi
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED BY:
Barbara Timmer and Catherine Glynn Benkaim
Pasadena Art Alliance
MEDIA SPONSORS
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS:
Click thumbnail for larger image.
RELATED TO THIS EXHIBITION:
Upcoming
For Families
Art After Dark
Begins Saturday, July 27, 6:00 p.m.; ends Sunday, July 28, 9:00 a.m.
Courses
Baseman’s Los Angeles: A Bus Tour
Sunday,
June 30
, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (1 session)
Courses
Gary Baseman: Pervasion and Play
Saturdays
, June 15 (Westwood Center, UCLA Extension) and June 22 (Skirball Cultural Center)
, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
(2 sessions)
For Families
Toddler Time
Thursdays, May 2–June 6, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
For Families
Last Weekends of the Month
Saturday, May 25–Sunday, May 26, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
For Members
Membership Promotion: Gary Baseman Autographed Gift
April 24–August 18
Private Guided Tours
Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open
Groups of 10 or more are invited to book a private, docent-led tour.
Gallery Talks and Tours
Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open
Tuesday–Friday, 1:00 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday, 1:00 and 2:30 p.m.
Music
Into the Night: Secrets and Truth
Friday, July 12, 9:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
Film
Teacher’s Pet
Sunday, July 14, 3:00 p.m.
Past
For Families
Art Exploration with Gary Baseman
Sunday, May 19, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
For Families
Toddler Time
Thursdays, May 2–June 6, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
For Families
Last Weekends of the Month
Saturday, May 25–Sunday, May 26, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
For Members
Gary Baseman Member Preview Day
Drop in anytime Wednesday, April 24, 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Readings and Talks
Gary Baseman—Mythical Creatures
Wednesday, May 22, 8:00 p.m.
Readings and Talks
Sequential Smarts
Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 p.m.
Gallery Talks and Tours
Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open
Tuesday–Friday, 1:00 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday, 1:00 and 2:30 p.m.
Gary Baseman at the Skirball
Where in L.A. Should Toby Go?
Ongoing through June 21
PRESS RELEASE:
Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open
March 15, 2013
What's On
