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Last night I became a "studio member" of the Pasadena Museum of California Art. It is a tiny museum, a short distance from my apartment, with only space for about 4 exhibitions. Honestly, I wouldn't even know of its existence had a friend not invited me to the opening of a Gary Baseman exhibition. You know you are in for an interesting mix of art when the patrons in attendance vary between senior citizens in suits and ties to young artists in ripped jeans and flip flops. True to form, the art ranged from turn of the century impressionism (I'm usually not a fan of the Impressionists, but some of the paintings by Alson Skinner Clark charmed me) to that of Gary Baseman. I believe his style is called "lowbrow" (or so my friend informed me), but really it is a cartoon aesthetic as art. The artist, who was very nice and totally unassuming, gave us a cerebral explanation of his art – physical representations of the past, hope, desire and dirty little secrets, etc. – which gave the art more depth, but I still wanted to ask: Why? Why represent such serious topics with cutesy caricatures? What is the artistic value in that endeavor? Since I have a feeling artists aren't so interested in having that discussion on their opening night, I thought it would be more appropriate to smile and nod my head.

Comments

[Gary Baseman]

Dear Caolionn,
Thank you for attending the opening of my museum installation and posting your thoughts.
This is similar to what I asked the viewers to do in my art space by leaving a memory with the 7 foot magi spirits.
Thanks also for your appropriate smile and head nod when you met me, but you could have asked me more questions such as why do I use "cutesy caricatures." My personal artistic voice is inspired by old cartoon art from the 1930s and pop culture. I want to create work that everyone can be touched, and interpret from the intellectual elite to the masses to, even, children. I coined a term, Pervasive Art, to describe this particular movement, where I believe all artists should participate in all medium, traditional and untraditional, as long as they stay true to their message and esthetic. I want to blur the lines between this growing toy culture and fine art. I hope this helps a bit. And I wish you the best in your goals.
Sincerely,
Gary Baseman