The Pool Header Image Did you ever catch The Simpsons episode “3 Scenes Plus a Tag from a Marriage”? Legendary Conceptual artist and CalArts founding faculty John Baldessari made an appearance in a flashback scene with Marge, who attempts to snag an interview with him at a gallery for the Springfield Shopper. The episode also features Bart repeating lines at a chalkboard, a possible reference to Baldessari’s seminal work I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art (1971). | Credit: 'THE SIMPSONS' © and TM 2017 20th Television. All rights reserved.

CalArts: Based on a True Story

Did you ever catch The Simpsons episode “3 Scenes Plus a Tag from a Marriage”? Legendary Conceptual artist and CalArts founding faculty John Baldessari made an appearance in a flashback scene with Marge, who attempts to snag an interview with him at a gallery for the Springfield Shopper. The episode also features Bart repeating lines at a chalkboard, a possible reference to Baldessari’s seminal work I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art (1971). | Credit: 'THE SIMPSONS' © and TM 2017 20th Television. All rights reserved.

April 28, 2023

Though CalArtians are committed to shaping and creating the future with their art, the campus itself has long been associated with lore and legend. Take a look through the gallery below to unearth pieces of the Institute’s (alt)history spanning the past half-century, featuring items from the archives, half-truths, researched rumors, and factoids that may or may not be true!

All images are courtesy of the CalArts Archive unless otherwise noted.

Door to A113Still from "The Simpsons" of Marge interviewing John Baldessari in an art galleryPacked Main Gallery lit up by blue lights and refractions from overhead disco ballNude man with boa constrictor over his shoulders walks across the graduation stageBlue door with text "Danger: Do Not Enter. Serious Fall Hazard. 13 Foot Drop on Other Side of Door"Student sits cross-legged on a mattress in an elevatorOrange bumper sticker with thumbs up graphic next to "CalArts"Black-and-white image of student body seated on grassGroup of people on lawn waving at helicopterArthur Jarveninen and others holding Calder MobilesBlack-and-white image of two nude individuals on diving board in front of poolPrinted letter of CalArts student parent addressing a complaint to then-Institute presidentText: "A general discussion ensued regarding the illiteracy problem among students. Each council member was asked for an opinion as to how literacy affected students in various disciplines. Overall consensus of opinion was that literacy was not necessary for all students but would benefit most all students without taking from their talents."Person in black beanie playing guitar in front of amp