VMAN ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

THIS IS NOT HERE

We hit L.A. for a survey of cool guys who capture the new essence of Lost Angeles

Photography Colin Donahue      Styling Parinaz Mogadassi Contributing art editor Dominic Sidhu

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Left: David Morehouse, the Hammer Museum, 28, photographed at the Downtowner Hotel on Sunset Blvd.

Shirt and pants Prada

Right: Zach Abel, actor, 25, photographed at a writer's getaway home in Culver City

Jacket and shirt Maison Martin Margiela
Pants Yohji Yamamoto
Boots Yves Saint Laurent

David Morehouse

On a canyon street scene:
Hiking, it keeps me sane. Runyon Canyon is right up the street from where I live, so it's easy to walk over there after work. Not exactly the most peaceful of spots to get away as in general it's quite the scene; power agents pushing baby carriages, shirtless actors walking their dogs, and many gawkers. A see and be seen kind of scene in the middle of nature, but I get into full iPod mode and zone out. Alexandre Desplat works best. I walk and think and then when I get to the top there's all of L.A. laid out below. For an East Coast transplant it's a unique vista and instantly puts it all in perspective.

On art in L.A.:
Los Angeles is where artists are living and working in the U.S. these days, a hot spot for lack of a better word. The Hammer Museum, where I work, makes artists a priority. I love being exposed to new work and meeting so many talented and creative people who in turn make great companions for exploring this city. The other day Elliott Hundley and I met at an antiquarian book shop where we poured over this incredible photo album detailing all the damage of a 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire for an hour. There’s little treasures like that all over the city if you know where to find them.

On the nude in art history:
The Hammer Museum is so successful in part because it has a lean yet devoted staff who work their asses off. It's a serious institution dedicated to its mission, but we also always seem to have the most fun at the end of the day. Where else might you be strongly encouraged by your boss to strip down at the home of a board member to join a naked artist in the pool so that they didn't feel alone? Thank God I do all that hiking.

Zach Abel

On L.A. traffic:
Everyday is a blank canvas out here. You can go to the hills and hike, lay out by the beach, golf, or even sneak away to the slopes. It's truly a unique geographical area in the world. Now if we could just work on this traffic situation...

On the catering on-set:
I once had some spicy Mexican food for lunch while filming. My scenes were up first when we got back to work. Right as action was called I could feel that my stomach wasn't quite right. Unfortunately I had to kiss my lovely costar and right as I leaned in my throat croaked like a 10lb frog. I think my face turned 10 shades of purple. Needless to say, I now pass on the spicy lunches.