Weisman boasts private works

ASHLEY WELLING
Staff Writer

Pepperdine’s Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art has a way of leaving art fans mesmerized by its architecture and exhibits. With its towering white walls and captivating architecture, some believe it serves as the perfect backdrop for inspiring unique perspectives from its visitors.

Weisman, for whom the museum was dedicated in September of 1992, was an avid and knowledgeable art collector from the early 1950s until his death in 1994. He was known for his deep connection with the art he collected and the artists who created the contemporary works.

Celebrating the 15th year since its opening, the Weisman now features  “Made in California: Contemporary Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation,” which will remain in place until Dec. 16. It showcases some of Weisman’s favorite contemporary works kept at his home.

“Weisman thought that keeping his art collection close at all times was a great way to show others how to live with art,” said Dr. Michael Zakian, who has been the director of the museum for 12 of its 15 years.

Zakian said he believes there is no better way to teach students how to live with art than to have it close at hand.

“[Weisman] felt that art needed to be understood and believed that most art museums were too cold and sterile, almost as though they divided art into specific categories,” Zakian said. “He wanted all the works to be mixed together so  the viewers could see how they connect with each other.”

The works taken from the Weisman house range from a life-size toy soldier, which some might assume was taken directly from the artist’s childhood memories, to a large 20-foot painting depicting a buoy that was often seen in the artist’s east coast hometown.

“Much of the art featured for this exhibit has come from Los Angeles artists who were inspired by the interesting lines and colors of the surfboards and hot rods that they either owned or saw on a daily basis,” Zakian said. 

Zakian said he believes students will find it easy to see the care and heart that each artist puts into his or her piece, and Weisman held their intimate creations in high regard.

“Looking at these paintings and the colors the artists use, it is clear to see why Weisman found them so appealing,” said sophomore McKenna Harris. “It will be interesting to see what the individual reactions of all the students will be.”

Billie Milam Weisman, Weisman’s wife, said her husband had a passion for art, which started when he began collecting in the 1950s, and that he wanted to share that passion with his community.

“He wanted museums to be everywhere, to be easily accessible,” Billie Weisman said.  “He felt as if art was sometimes best understood through the eyes of the young, which is one of the reasons he liked Pepperdine so much.”

She said each piece her husband collected was valuable to him for different reasons.

“Whenever Fred was asked by someone which of the works were among his favorites, he would always ask if they had any children,” Weisman said. “We could never have any favorites because we love them all equally, only in different ways.”

“Made in California: Contemporary Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation,” can be viewed Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The public can meet some of the artists, whose works are on display at the exhibit, at a reception on Sept. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tours of Weisman’s estate, which houses many of his collected works, are available to the public. For more information, contact the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation at (310) 277-5321.

08-27-2007