Solomon boosts UPA ... Pacific Standard Time and the Long Beach Museum of Art's pioneering video art ... a great sound piece from Steven Cuevas ... IUD's make a comeback ... Vets speak out at KPCC's Crawford Family Forum ...
PST: Long Beach Museum of Art was pioneering home for video art
Pacific Standard Time is all about making sure the world knows that Southern California has a huge place in world art. Starting in the early 1970s, the Long Beach Museum of Art was the pioneer in video art. The museum bought what was then very expensive equipment, and staffed it with experts, so artists could come in, explore, and make what turned out to be landmark works. Off-Ramp host John Rabe went to the opening of Exchange and Evolution at LBMA, which presents much of the video art made at the museum.
Chas Solomon: 'Pacific Standard Time' omits UPA animation studio
The six-month art extravaganza known as “Pacific Standard Time" is undoubtedly a strong effort to ensure L.A.'s place in art history. But Off-Ramp animation critic Charles Solomon says there's a glaring omission among the scores of events and exhibits: the groundbreaking work of animation studio United Productions of America (UPA).
UPA, which produced Gerald McBoing-Boing and Mr. Magoo, modernized the look of cartoons by utilizing a trademark contemporary graphic style. Breaking away from the accepted style of Disney and Warner Bros., UPA profoundly altered the course of American and world animation.
UPA was organized in 1945 by three Disney veterans: Steve Bosustow, Zack Schwartz and Dave Hilberman. These young visionaries along with the artists who joined them had extensive art training, a strong interest in contemporary graphic arts, and decidedly liberal politics. They dismissed the dominant strains of American animation as “Disney cute” and “Warner Brothers funny.”
Instead of the 19th century illustrators and Academic draftsmen who inspired the look of Disney films, the UPA artists looked to Matisse, Cezanne, Klee, Modigliani, Miro, Picasso and the sophisticated “New Yorker” cartoonists. They sought to infuse their work with a spontaneity comparable to the jazz they listened to.
But hard-edged two-dimensional figures like Gerald McBoing-Boing couldn't move in three dimensions like a rounded, Disney character. The UPA artists had to re-think their approach to animation, deciding to emphasize strong poses and stylized movement.
Critics of Warner Bros. and MGM cartoons hailed the work of UPA as high art. In 1955, MOMA held an exhibit of UPA’s work, which went on to win all 3 nominess for Animated Short in 1956. This record was never matched, even by Disney.
As a result of UPA’s accolades, Disney, Warner Bros. and MGM began experimenting with more advanced design and stylized movement. Today, Samurai Jack, Phineas and Ferb, and even the Simpsons reflect the influence of UPA. Their impact can be seen in the 2009 Oscar-nominated Irish feature “The Secret of Kells” as well as the “Backson” sequence in Disney’s recent Winnie the Pooh film.
UPA operated on a modest scale, producing short cartoons, industrial films, commercials, a single television program and one feature. The studio rose to unprecedented artistic prominence then fell into shambles within a period of 15 years.
UPA’s Toluca Lake headquarters was torn down decades ago. Animators and animation fans alike lament the fact that UPA films are not available on DVD, leaving a significant gap in the animation history of Los Angeles and the world.
LA sound artist sets the El Toro airbase 'record'
Five years ago, a band of photographers transformed a jet hangar at the El Toro Marine Corps airbase into a giant camera. They used it to create "The Great Picture" - the world's largest photograph. Now "The Great Picture" has a soundtrack, made with field recordings from the decommissioned base. KPCC's Steven Cuevas reports.
Marc Haefele: Mad Men fashion gets it wrong
Seen the new Banana Republic clothing line? It's based on AMC's hit series Mad Men, about a Madison Avenue ad agency in the 1960s. But Off-Ramp commentator Marc Haefele, who was working in NYC at the time, says Banana and Mad Men don't get the era quite right.
For some veterans, trauma goes beyond the battlefield
For veterans returning home, it's hard enough to live with what took place on the battlefield. But what about what happens at the bases? KPCC's Frank Stoltze hosted a panel inside our own Crawford Family Forum to examine those exact same questions and many more issues that veterans face.
Military Sexual Trauma, or MST affects a significant amount of soldiers at home and abroad: it can include anything from harassment to rape.
Centenarian Norman Corwin to Patt Morrison: First drafts are s---!
Norman Corwin died Oct. 18, 2011, at the age of 101. Here's an interview we aired just after his centennial.
Famed radio and movie writer Norman Corwin turned in May 2010. Shortly after, KPCC's Patt Morrison helped fete him at the Aero Theatre, where they showed "Lust for Life," which got Corwin an Oscar nod for best adapted screenplay.
Listen here for their conversation – including Corwin's plans for his retirement years – and NPR's recent piece on Corwin's career and influence.
KCET celebrated Norman Corwin's 100th birthday by airing its 1969 television production of Corwin directing a radio production of "The Plot To Overthrow Christmas" on May 17, 2010 at 10 p.m.