MY PASADENA

MY PASADENA DAVID WISEMAN

Amaster of modern decorative arts, designer David Wiseman (dwiseman.com) is world-renowned for his bespoke, nature-inspired ne artworks—intricate installations, sculptures, chandeliers, objets, and furnishings, which he painstakingly crafts using bronze, porcelain, stone, plaster, and glass. Born and bred in Pasadena, Wiseman spent his formative years attending Polytechnic School and taking weekend classes at ArtCenter. After studying furniture design at Rhode Island School of Design, he found his way back to Los Angeles 15 years ago. Today, he lives in Silver Lake, but still nds himself roaming the verdant, tree-lined streets of Pasadena seeking inspiration for his next piece, foraging for fallen branches and limbs that he brings back to his sprawling Frogtown studio and incorporates into his work. Here, the local luminary takes a walk down memory lane. I grew-up in a 1950s, single-story, modi ed ranch-style home on a beautiful, somewhat secluded street off OAK KNOLL. The previous owners had made an innovative addition of a large family room with an expansive curved window that overlooks the garden. / I created my rst studio in my parents’ garage when I moved back to Pasadena after college and laid out MY FIRST CEILING INSTALLATION on the same front lawn that I used to kick a soccer ball on. / Pasadena’s architecture has its own authentic style and history, as seen in the incredible examples of GREENE AND GREENE residential architecture. In contrast to many urban centers around the world, Pasadena has its origins in the idea of living in a home with a garden. This close relationship with nature has been pivotal for me. / The grounds of CALTECH and its historical buildings are spectacular. When I was younger, I loved to catch crawdads, turtles, and frogs in the ponds. / The gelato at BULGARINI GELATO in Altadena is second to none. You can’t beat their pistachio. / AI JAPANESE RESTAURANT in South Pasadena was a favorite spot growing up. It was where I was introduced to sushi as a young person. / THE

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART MUSEUM, AND BOTANICAL

GARDENS is a favorite. I can’t think of a more diverse and beautiful garden in the world. In addition, their important collection of decorative arts has numerous works that have provided inspiration over the years. — ANUSH BENLIYAN