The Carla Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 15: Lari Pittman Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

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.

Episode 14: Jamillah James Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

Interview with curator Jamillah James — The unconventional start to her art career — The responsibility of museums to be accessible & accountable — Generosity & mentorship — What does it mean to curate the contemporary?

Welcome to Season 3 of The Carla Podcast!

This episode, host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by curator Jamillah James for an in-depth conversation spanning the whole episode. They discuss James’ background in music and fast-track from overcoming serious illness to landing her current role as chief curator at ICA LA in a span of just nine years.

James and LPZ discuss the responsibility of the museum to be accessible, accountable, and willing to learn from its public. James talks about the contemporary as something that is actively unfolding, and how to curate the contemporary while it is constantly evolving. She also shares her thoughts about showing generosity and mentorship to a younger generation, and the importance of teaching professional practice. Plus, a sneak peek into her largest curatorial project to date and the ICA’s ambitious plan to crowdfund their museum.

Episode 13: Trulee Hall May 07, 2019

Show notes

Trulee Hall on her recent solo show — Americana and female sexuality — Working across multiple mediums — The importance of timing in an artist’s career — Choosing the right gallery

Writer’s Room

In this last episode of Season 2 of The Carla Podcast,host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by Carlacontributor Catherine Wagley and artist Trulee Hall to collapse all segments into one conversation on Hall’s recent exhibition The Other and Otherwise, which Catherine wrote about in our forthcoming issue 16 of Carla.

LA at Large

The three discuss Hall’s life and background, the presence of Americana, the female body, and sexuality in her work, and how she navigates working across multiple mediums. They also talk about the importance of timing in an artist’s career, and some of Trulee’s experiences that allowed her to build her voice.

Dear Carla

Hall weighs in on the importance of choosing a gallery carefully.

Episode 12: Dianna Molzan, Catherine Wagley Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

Dianna Molzan discusses her recent show, “Fizzz,”and generating joy amidst political chaos — Vanessa Place’s Rape Jokes — Understanding how art might open up space to communicate about the #MeToo Movement — Do artists need to be good at writing about their own work?

Writer’s Room

Host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by contributing editor, Catherine Wagley, to discuss her article from Carla issue 15, “Laughing in Private,” which centers around the artist Vanessa Place’s Rape Jokesperformance, and subsequent book. They discuss the function of these jokes in Place’s work, how they function in culture, and art’s ability to open up space to communicate about the #MeToo Movement.

LA at Large

Lindsay is joined by artist Dianna Molzan. They discuss her recent show Fizzz at Kristina Kite Gallery, as well as what drew her to the L.A. art world. Molzan shares her thoughts on the medium of painting, and her desire to generate joy through her work amidst so much political chaos.

Dear Carla

Dianna Molzan returns to discuss a listener-submitted question: “Do artists need to be good at writing about their own work?”

Episode 11: Kelly Akashi, Christina Catherine Martinez Mar 08, 2019

Show notes

Julian Rosefeldt’s “Manifesto,” in relation to the subjectivity of the body, Hollywood, and politics — Kelly Akashi discusses her art practice and recent show — What makes a good press release?

Writer’s Room

Host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by Carlacontributor Christina Catherine Martinez to discuss her article from issue 15, “Eyes Without a Voice,” which considers Julian Rosefeldt’s Manifesto, an immersive video installation starring actress Cate Blanchett that was recently on view at Hauser & Wirth. We discuss Christina’s take on Manifesto and how issues of celebrity, politic, Hollywood production value, and the subjectivity of bodies play out (or don’t) in the work.

LA at Large

Lindsay is joined by LA-based artist Kelly Akashi to discuss her experience growing up in LA, her current show, Figure Shifter, on view at Ghebaly Gallery, the intricacies of her detailed process, and the importance of community.

Dear Carla

Lindsay continues the conversation with Stuart Krimko (Editorial Director, David Kordansky Gallery) to answer a listener-submitted question: “How do you write a good press release?” Stuart has almost 20 years of experience writing press releases and gives his take on how to do it well.

Episode 10: Travis Diehl on Davis Lynch, Jim Walters on Art Taxes Feb 07, 2019

Show notes

David Lynch’s paintings and the contrast between still-images versus moving — Tips and tricks for how to file your taxes as an artist

Writer’s Room

Host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by Carlacontributor Travis Diehl to discuss his article from issue 14, “Lynch in Traffic,” which discusses David Lynch’s transition from painter to filmmaker. They talk about the deskilled style of his painted works, where the resolution of his paintings is left unanswered in his films, and how his depiction of ’50s-style clichés and traditional gender roles land in 2019.

LA at Large

Lindsay is joined by L.A. art accountant Jim Walters to discuss all things taxes. Here, we discuss the complicated task of doing taxes as an artist, break down deductions, art trades, filing statuses, and common tax rules that artists unknowingly break.

Episode 9: Bettina Korek, Hamza Walker, Sam Parker, Catherine Wagley Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

How figurative art relates to Christianity and politics — Celeste Dupuy-Spencer depicts white America — Sneak peek of the art fair Frieze Los Angeles — L.A.’s art community vs. its collector base — How do I price my artwork?

Writer’s Room

Host Lindsay Preston Zappas is joined by Carlacontributor, Catherine Wagley to discuss her article from Carla Issue 14 called “Celeste Dupuy-Spencer And Figurative Religion,” which discusses Dupuy-Spencer’s recent show The Chiefest of Ten Thousand at Nino Mier Gallery. We talk about figurative art in Christianity, the subjectivity of figuration, and how Dupuy-Spencer translates her experiences with the political right.

LA at Large

Lindsay is joined by Frieze L.A.’s executive director Bettina Korek, and the Talks and Music curator Hamza Walker. Here, we discuss what to expect from the upcoming art fair, why it’s coming to L.A., and ways they hope the fair engages the art community in Los Angeles.

Dear Carla

Lindsay continues the conversation with Sam Parker (Parker Gallery) to answer a listener submitted question about how to artists price their work.

Episode 8: Made in L.A. 2018 curators and writers Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

Looking back on “Made in L.A.”— What does it mean for an artist to be political? — How are artists responding to our time?—How do young artists connect with curators?

Writer’s Room

Lindsay is joined by the three Carla writers who reviewed Made in L.A. 2018 for Carla issue 13: Jennifer Remenchik, Aaron Horst, and Claire de Dobay Rifelj. Hear about the hits (and misses) from three of our very own critics. They also discuss how politics were interpreted across the exhibition, and how nuance can play a role in political work. You can read each of their Made in L.A. 2018 reviews here:

Precarious Healing, Jennifer Remenchik

Unfinished Finish Fetish, Claire de Dobay Rifelj

Loose Aesthetics and Agreeable Politicking, Aaron Horst

LA at Large

Lindsay speaks with the curators of Made in LA 2018, Erin Christovale and Anne Ellegood. They discuss the process of choosing artists for the show, what it means for an artist to be political, and the responsibility the curators felt in making the exhibition a reflection of our surreal historic era.

Dear Carla

The Hammer curators stay on to weigh in on this listener submitted question: How does an artist ask a curator for a studio visit? There are unwritten rules for example about not asking gallerists unsolicited for studio visits..so how does an artist crack into the curatorial view.

Episode 7: Amanda Ross-Ho, Norm Laich, Matt Stromberg Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Whose work is it anyway? — Norm Laich’s world as a brush for hire — The art of the collaboration — Is there a viable way to share your work on social media?

Writer’s Room

Lindsay is joined by Carla contributor, Matt Stromberg to discuss his article from Carla issue 13 called “The Collaborative Art World of Norm Laich,” which discusses Norm’s recent show Brush for Hire at ICA, and his role as a fabricator over the years. We talk about Norm’s work as it pertains to questions of authorship, fabrication, and the role of artist assistants.

LA at Large

Next on LA at Large, Lindsay is joined by the man himself, Norm Laich, as well as artist Amanda Ross-Ho. Norm and Amanda are long-time friends and have worked on a number of projects together. We discuss how they met, the process behind art-making, and their experiences as artists living and working in Los Angeles.

Dear Carla

Lindsay continues the conversation with Amanda Ross-Ho to answer a listener-submitted question about posting work on social media, fears of being copied or ripped-off, and the viability of Instagram to reach new audiences or galleries.

Episode 6: Micol Hebron, Angella d’Avignon Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

Florals and feminism — the historical, political, and gendered uses of floral imagery — Call-out culture and Instagram feminism — Has female representation in the art world made any progress?

Writer’s Room

Lindsay is joined by Carla writer Angella d’Avignon to discuss Angella’s recent article, “Perennial Bloom,” which discusses California’s super bloom in late 2016 as it coincided with stark political events such as the presidential election and Women’s March. We talk about the trend of florals in contemporary art, some of the historical and feminist roots of floral imagery, and the gendered associations that are tied to the flower.

Read the article here.

LA at Large

Artist and teacher, Micol Hebron—who founded the Gallery Tally project—joins Lindsay to discuss the gender disparity that exists in the art world, what led her to begin the Gallery Tally project, and the issues at force behind call-out culture, and gender-based oppression.

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