Episode 15: Lari Pittman

Episode 15: Lari Pittman

Author: Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles October 10, 2019 Duration: 50:16

How identity has shaped Pittman’s work—Being a Painter in the Pictures Generation—Working Politically While Not Being Defined as a “Political Artist”—Thoughts on the Younger Generation of Artists—On Boredom—Leaving Work Open for the Viewer

This episode, host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by painter Lari Pittman that was recorded just days before Pittman’s retrospective opened at the Hammer Museum in LA. They discuss personal experiences that have deeply influenced his work, and talk about what it was like to delve into painting and decoration in the ’70s—a time when painting was, as Pittman says, “dilapidated.” Pittman now teaches painting at UCLA, and in this conversation, he talks about the impact that working with younger artists has had on him. He also delves into his early experiences growing up in Colombia, the impact that his identity has had on his work, and the way in which his work has found a dialogue with a new generation of contemporary painters. 


Each month, The Carla Podcast extends the thoughtful, critical conversation started by its parent publication, Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles. Rather than simply interviewing famous names, this series digs into the real textures of artistic life and labor in the city. You’ll hear from artists in their studios, curators navigating institutional challenges, and the wide ecosystem of creatives whose work defines the region's visual and cultural pulse. These are detailed, meandering talks that go beyond promotional chatter to explore process, theory, and the personal realities of building a life in art. It’s a companion to the quarterly print magazine and online journal, offering a more intimate, auditory layer to their mission of expanding dialogue. For anyone curious about the forces shaping contemporary art in Los Angeles-from the ground up-this podcast provides essential, nuanced perspective directly from the people making it happen. Tune in for a monthly dose of genuine reflection and behind-the-scenes insight that complicates and enriches the understanding of a famously dynamic art scene.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 25

The Carla Podcast
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