Press Play with Madeleine Brand
LACMA’s Michael Govan, and the Big-Eyed Children Art Fraud
LACMA Director Michael Govan discusses billionaire Jerry Perenchio’s jaw-dropping gift to the museum, announced today: an art collection valued at $500 million.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenWe start with newly elected L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl on her priorities and the challenges ahead. Then LACMA Director Michael Govan joins us to discuss billionaire Jerry Perenchio’s jaw-dropping gift to the museum: an art collection valued at $500 million. We hear the latest in sports from our regular comedy-sports duo the Sklar Brothers. Forty-year California Congressman Henry Waxman reacts to this week’s elections and talks about what’s ahead for him after retiring from D.C. And finally, the strange story of artist Walter Keane, his wife Margaret, and one of the biggest art frauds of the 20th century.
Banner Image: Chris Burden's art at LACMA "Urban Light"
In this episode
5 storiesSheila Kuehl
Republicans’ takeover of the Senate was the big national political story of the week. But here in L.A., voters elected a new leader for a swath of the county bigger than many congressional districts. Former California State Senator Sheila Kuehl will replace Zev Yaroslavsky next month as L.A. County Supervisor for the 3rd District.
Read the story7 minLACMA’s Big Gift
The Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art announced a major gift today: Billionaire Jerry Perenchio is leaving his vast art collection to the museum. It includes paintings and drawings by masters like Magritte, Picasso, Monet, and Manet and is valued at approximately $500 million. How did this come about?
Read the story9 minSklars on Sports
Do short referees call more fouls because of their unique vantage point? We address that and other topics in our regular roundup with the Sklar Brothers, a sport-comedy duo. Also on the roster: accident-prone ball players and a sad champion who wasn’t allowed to ride a parade horse.
Read the story9 minA Look Back With Henry Waxman
Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman is retiring after 40 years in Washington. His district largely encompasses the westside of L.A., from Malibu down to the South Bay. This week, voters chose another Democrat, Ted Lieu, to replace him.
Read the story11 minAn Art Fraud Based on Big-Eyed Children
The story goes something like this: an aspiring artist goes to Berlin right after World War II. He sees doe-eyed children rummaging through the trash for food. He’s so affected, he starts churning out paintings of these wide-eyed children. The paintings touch a nerve with the American public, and he becomes a millionaire from selling them.
Read the story11 min
