Mixing a little pop into culture

As DIRECTOR of the Hammer Museum at UCLA for the last nine years, Anne Philbin has spearheaded an abundance of memorable exhibits, including “Lee Bontecou: A Retrospective” in 2003, the current Kara Walker exhibit and brought Jean Prouve’s “A Tropical House” to the museum’s courtyard in 2005, just to name a few.

This summer’s upcoming exhibit on modern architect John Lautner, “Between Earth and Heaven,” has been several years in the making and is perhaps her most prized accomplishment. Although the native New Yorker’s frenzied schedule doesn’t allow her much free time to experience extracurricular offerings, she was able to take time out to discuss a few of her pop culture fascinations.

TV PICKS: I don’t have much time for TV, but I do begin and end my day with CNN and BBC because of the election. My aspiration for when I have a night off is to watch “Mad Men.”

IN HEAVY ROTATION ON THE IPOD: I have a young, hip staff that feeds my iPod. [Recent discoveries:] Norwegian singer Hanne Hukkelberg. She has a very haunting, ethereal sound. Grizzly Bear from Brooklyn, a fantastic, psychedelic indie rock band. And old standbys Arcade Fire, Antony and the Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright.

IN THE NETFLIX QUEUE: “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Body Double” and “The Big Lebowski.” I’m doing research for our John Lautner exhibit, and these were filmed in his houses.

BEDSTAND LIBRARY: “Man Gone Down” by Mike Thomas, very timely with what’s going on in the election. He’s a wonderful writer. “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan.

TOP INTERNET DESTINATIONS: Foryourart.com keeps me up-to-date. Slate.com and huffingtonpost.com because I’m a news junkie.

CULTURAL ADDICTION: I’m crazy about NPR. “This American Life” and their quiz show, “Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me!”

SECRET WEAPON FOR NAVIGATING THE CULTURE: Surrounding myself with lots of artist friends.

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-- Liesl Bradner