Gary Baseman’s “Giggle and Pop!” at LACMA.

If anyone could make dancing creatures and ladies in retro style-dress work, that would be Gary Baseman. His beloved ChouChou character will be coming to life tomorrow at LACMA's ArtWalk 2010 in a one day series of performances, 'Giggle and Pop!' And because I couldn't possibly describe this bizarre event taking over Mid-Wilshire, I'll paste the press release below for your reference.

Do go say hello to my dear friend Gary and his dear inventions, the ChouChous and the Tar Pit Girls, dancing all day tomorrow for your enjoyment!

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Saturday, June 12, 2010
Performances 12pm, 1pm, and 3pm
(with vignettes in between and until 4pm)

LACMA MUSE, in conjunction with ArtWalk 2010: The Los Angeles Arts & Music Festival, will feature a special performance created by Gary Baseman. Presented in the artist’s favorite childhood haunt of the La Brea Tar Pits, “Giggle and Pop!” will feature Baseman’s ChouChous and the Tar Pit Girls. The 24 characters will engage the crowds at the park and museum, spreading festive vibes and artful amusement.

Choreographed by Sarah Elgart, and featuring a song by Carina Round, this dynamic experience will create new and alternative memories of one of LA’s major landmark areas. Creating an atmosphere of whimsy and wonder, attendees who join the jollity by dancing or playing will receive limited-edition sashes with original art by Gary Baseman.

“Giggle and Pop!” references Baseman’s paintings from “I Melt in Your Presence” (2007), “Hide and Seek in the Forest of ChouChou” (2007), and “La Noche de la Fusíon” (2009). The original tale takes place during a time when evil demons dominated the Forest of ChouChou where the Wild Girls lived. Chaos and misery, fires and ugliness were so abundant and powerful that the Girls could not easily love. The ChouChous, however, were mysterious heroic creatures who appeared then took away and absorbed the negative energy and hate from the Girls, oozing creamy gooey love from their belly buttons. For the LACMA event, the Wild Girls are Tar Pit Girls, positively altered with the love of ChouChou.