Overview of 910. - Leonard Baby
Chris Black and Jason Stewart host a freewheeling interview episode featuring artist Leonard Baby (also referred to as Leo). The conversation ranges broadly — from local weather and travel headaches to award‑show controversies, pop culture takes (Grimes, M.I.A., Janet, Michael Jackson), the contemporary art market, and Leonard’s new exhibition “Resting Babyface.” Along the way the hosts riff on taste, cancel culture, collectors, AI and celebrity imagery, and personal background (including Leonard’s religious upbringing and family dynamics).
Guest — Leonard Baby (quick profile)
- Contemporary artist known for irony-laced, Americana‑adjacent work.
- Famously works from bed (self-described “beddidor”).
- Raised in a religious household; father has been affiliated with Focus on the Family (strained relationship).
- New exhibition: Resting Babyface — opening around Frieze LA / Villa Carlotta; also associated with Half Gallery (show accessible by appointment).
Key topics and takeaways
- Weather and travel: Light banter about being stranded in Charleston after heavy snow, mayoral snow‑cleanup optics, and last‑minute flights out of town.
- BAFTAs and Tourette’s controversy: Hosts debate responsibility when live TV includes guests with vocal tics; suggested (controversial) fixes included tape/bleep/edit or not inviting the person — discussion highlights discomfort negotiating disability, censorship, and broadcast responsibility.
- Team USA hockey + Cash Patel: Concern over athletes partying with controversial political or public figures; hosts argue younger athletes often don’t recognize or vet public figures and that it’s unreasonable to expect them to be politically informed.
- Art market and collectors:
- Artists and hosts discuss collectors’ hypocrisies — conservative buyers sometimes embrace politically provocative art.
- Secondary market interest, placement of work in private homes, and artists’ mixed feelings about seeing their work “in situ.”
- Debate on originality vs. influence: artists increasingly face accusations of copying; Leonard and hosts argue cream rises to the top — technique, aura, and context matter more than chasing a false idea of total originality.
- Art, meaning, and aura: Leonard favors aura/feeling over literal declared meaning; technical skill isn’t the only measure — “aura” and the artist’s process can reveal truth regardless of stated intent.
- Pop culture and AI:
- Lily‑Rose Depp/AI club video dispute used to discuss the growing problem of manipulated imagery and public perception.
- Takes on Grimes, M.I.A., Janet, Whitney, Michael Jackson, and how culture digests artists with problematic personal histories (MJ as exception where art appears to stand apart for many).
- Public personas and scandal: Discussion of Luigi (the artist/figure tied to alleged violent acts) and how sexualization and charisma affect public sympathy; parallels drawn to other “hot felon” narratives.
- Personal life and habits:
- Leonard’s daily rhythm: late nights, long sleeps, painting in the afternoon; disinclination for casual, spontaneous social plans.
- Food and sleep: Leonard describes eating as a chore — eats little during day, binges at night.
Notable quotes and insights
- “Cream rises to the top and the sludge and the sediment always slips down to the bottom.” — on how quality and aura eventually reveal themselves.
- “If someone paints your painting better than you, that’s on you — try again.” — a take on imitation/ownership in art.
- On athletes and politics: “I want my Olympic athletes… to be so dedicated to their sport that they have no idea what’s happening in the world today.”
- On art vs. artist: Leonard and hosts wrestle with when misconduct contaminates the work — MJ cited as a complicated outlier.
Notable moments / segments
- Opening banter about 20 inches of snow in Charleston and travel delays.
- Long segment reacting to a BAFTAs incident where a person with Tourette’s shouted a racial slur during a live presentation — the hosts debate broadcast responsibilities and disability awareness.
- Conversation about Cash Patel (public figure) partying with Team USA hockey and ensuing backlash.
- Detailed artist interview: Leonard on working from bed, gallery life, collectors, art fairs (Frieze), and the tension between critical reception and commercial success.
- Pop‑culture riffs on Grimes, M.I.A., Lily‑Rose Depp AI allegations, Janet/Whitney era nostalgia, Neutral Milk Hotel/indie cringe debates, and Luigi controversy.
- Personal family background: Leonard describes growing up in a Christian evangelical environment; estranged relationship with his father, who worked in pro‑family evangelical circles.
Practical info / action items
- Exhibition: Leonard Baby’s show “Resting Babyface” opens around Frieze LA/Villa Carlotta and is also connected with Half Gallery (available by appointment). For viewing, check Half Gallery’s website / contact (mentioned: aaron@halfgallery.com) or the gallery’s appointment system.
- If you want to follow up on topics raised: look into the BAFTAs clip, coverage of the Cash Patel/Team USA locker room photos, and current Frieze LA listings for show details.
Sponsors mentioned (brief)
This episode includes reads for Superpower (biomarker testing), BetterHelp (therapy), Cheers (hangover support), Venmo debit cards (college‑branded), and CarMax (car shopping). Sponsors are woven into episode breaks and have promo codes referenced by hosts.
Bottom line
This episode is a loose, wide-ranging cultural conversation anchored by Leonard Baby’s artist perspective. It’s equal parts art-market inside talk, pop-culture takes, and candid personal disclosure — recommended if you like artist interviews that mix gossip, critical thought, and irreverent humor.