Design and Architecture
'La La Land,' Mann house, underwater pavilions
Los Angeles is a character in the romantic musical La La Land, from famed landmarks to infamous freeway traffic jams. The Germans come to the rescue of a Modernist house in the Pacific Palisades built by "father of German democracy" Thomas Mann. And artist Doug Aitken's latest installation involves diving gear and a trip to Catalina.
By Frances Anderton • • 28m ListenPhoto: La La Land production designer David Wasco and director Damien Chazelle on set. (Dale Robinette)
In this episode
3 storiesDesigning 'La La Land'
The romantic musical La La Land , written and directed by Damien Chazelle, is an unabashed tribute to this city of celluloid dreams. Ryan Gosling plays Sebastian, a struggling jazz musician who dreams of opening his own club, and Emma Stone plays Mia, an aspiring actress.
Read the story13 minSaving Thomas Mann's house
The German government has purchased the former Los Angeles home of one of its most famous and celebrated authors. Why?
Read the story7 minUnderwater pavilions
The artist Doug Aitken has a history of taking his audiences out of the traditional museum or gallery spaces. His latest installation, a companion piece to his retrospective exhibition Electric Earth at MOCA, is a series of sculptures in the ocean called " Underwater Pavilions ."
Read the story8 min
