Ann Philbin

Don’t Challenge the Hammer Museum Director to a Bowling Match

Ann Philbin has been the director of the Hammer Museum since 1998. Before participating in a panel on the future of L.A.’s art museums, she confessed in the Zócalo green room that despite the fact that she was about to go on stage, she’s got stage fright—and it runs in her family. She was less modest about her most impressive pair of shoes—which she just happened to be wearing—and about her stealth bowling skills.

Q:

When’s the last time you ate fast food?


A:

I had an In-N-Out burger last night.


Q:

What music have you listened to today?


A:

I was in a store today that was playing one of my favorite Arcade Fire songs, so I was really listening to it. I can sing it for you, but I can’t tell you the title.


Q:

What’s the best cure for stage fright?


A:

If you could tell me I would pay you my entire savings! I have the gene of stage fright—there is a gene. My whole family has it, I’m not kidding around. The biggest cure for it is not getting up on stage.


Q:

What makes you feel guilty?


A:

Lying.


Q:

Who was your childhood hero?


A:

I really loved Amelia Earhart.


Q:

What word or phrase do you use most often?


A:

Really?


Q:

What’s your most impressive pair of shoes?


A:

The ones I’m wearing. [Black platform gladiator sandals.] They’re by Ann Demeulemeester.


Q:

What’s your hidden talent?


A:

Bowling.


Q:

Where do you bowl in L.A.?


A:

This place in Santa Monica on Pico near Ocean—once a year for my staff holiday party.


Q:

What’s your favorite thing about the fall?


A:

I can make a fire in my fireplace.