Ooh LA LA LACMA

What a night!  Since moving to Los Angeles, I've become accustomed to seeing celebrities here and there.  But Saturday night at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) was something else.

The LACMA  Art + Film gala is now in its second year running.  Started by the incredible duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow, this event is causing quite a buzz around Los Angeles that makes the museum stand out in the eyes of all.  This year, the honorees were artist Ed Ruscha and film-maker Stanley Kubrick. And what another outstanding duo they made (though Kubrick wasn't there in body, he most surely was in spirit).

The party started off with red carpet entry and cocktails.  I waited in line for the red carpet moment while Tom Hanks stood patiently behind me.  During the cocktail hour, after squeezing past Sean Penn to grab a glass of champagne, I had a great spot close to the New Orleans jazz band where Evan Rachel Wood took the stage to sing.  She has a great voice and a sultry persona on stage.  It was a nice segue to exiting and heading to dinner.

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We packed into the large space for dinner for 550 guests, with long rectangular tables filling the space.  I rather liked that the decor was to a minimum.  All glassed in, the space gave views of the incredible campus that is LACMA - and I always like when guests are almost forced to remember why they are there.  Raising money for a County museum that provides programming to countless visitors and students each year. The table decor was very simple, with small floral arrangements mimicking the stage background of flowers, a la Christian Dior's wall of flowers at the SS 2013 Couture show in Paris.

Ruscha's "The Back of the Hollywood Sign" 1977

"The Standard" 1966

After a short film showcasing the works of Ed Ruscha, the artist came and gave thanks to the audience. I felt at home with his Oklahoma accent explaining how he came to be and some of the inspirations for his most well-known works.  Transforming what some may think as the mundane, he creates interesting, thought-provoking pieces that have become more than pop art.

Tom Hanks took the stage next, introducing the great Steven Spielberg.  Hanks was funny and comfortable, and he was able to relax the audience even more.  And of course Spielberg was just exquisite as he spoke about the great Stanley Kubrick, telling stories of their early days together as directors.  I felt as if I had entered the secret Hollywood club that I should never be allowed into.  Spielberg's admiration for Kubrick was apparent, and he seemed to really glow while talking about his relationship with Kubrick.  The night just got even more powerful when Kubrick's widow, Christiane Kubrick, spoke about his process of film and its simplistic genius.  To be within twenty feet of all of these artists was an honor and something not to be forgotten.

Florence, on stage with the Dior-esque back drop

Florence + The Machine.  Florence came out from nowhere like a Greek Goddess coming down to visit.  Her voice was beyond haunting, and she embodied pop artistry at its best.

With Monique Lhullier and hubby Tom Bugbee, both of us in Lhullier

Can't forget our Feathered Friend, Cameron Silver: best looking table there!

Steps to the courtyard

Dessert, champagne, scotch and cognac outside in the courtyard

Seeing the exhibition was the main attraction.  Walking through the courtyard and into the main building, I made my way to see film clips, costumes from films, set designs, Kubrick's personal chess set, cameras and more.  Beautifully displayed in a modern way, LACMA married the concept of 'film is art', which is what the evening was really about as the museum is adding a film wing to the museum.  The show has been traveling around the globe, so if you get a chance to see it, I highly recommend that you do.  What a special experience I had, to hear stories from Kubrick's friends and actors, including Jack Nicholson, before eyeballing the final piece de resistance.  What a night.

I left with the DVD Collection of Kubrick.  First on the list: Barry Lyndon that I've never seen...

Ruscha, "The End" acrylic on canvas 1991

2 Days in LA, from Art to Fashion to Art

Los Angeles is an interesting town.  When most people think of LA, they probably think the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, swimmin' pools, movie stars...  But once you start to peel the layers off this lovely onion, you can discover some true beauty and some fascinating people.

Jenny Wu in front of her own design (photo courtesy of Stefanie Keenan)

This week I first found myself at The Los Angeles Antiques Art & Design Show, benefitting the Decorative Arts and Design Council for LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art).  Held at the Barker Hangar of the Santa Monica Airport, this hangar was transformed into a haven of lovely chairs, sparkling silver, hung paintings and exquisite chests, clocks, rugs, bronzed horses etc.

I went with Christine Chiu, my partner in crime for the evening, and as we first stepped in, we discovered this beautiful stand.  I think I will have my dream Paris apartment look like this...

I went on a mission to find a dining room table for my new LA house.  After all, Thanksgiving will be here at any moment, and I just can't imagine my family from Georgia eating on the floor.  I saw a few nice pieces, but nothing quite right for the room.  I did, though, find this stunning 1950s French Desk from EPCOA.  This might just make my office perfect...

All in all, I skipped buying antiques this night.  Keeping the desk idea for later.  But Christine and I did manage to shop the antique jewelry counter.  I came home with a charm bracelet of large cat head with all the fish and mice he could devour.  And Christine scored a beautiful Buccellati inspired cuff.

  

The next morning, I was off to The Blue Ribbon luncheon and presentation of the Ralph Lauren Collection for SS13, courtesy of friend Judy Chang.  Held at the most incredible home of Carla and Fred Sands, the event was tented in the backyard with the catwalk running through the center.  Carla, the new President for Blue Ribbon, was poised and well-spoken as she explained that The Blue Ribbon is a charitable support group raising funds for the Music Center of Los Angeles, which includes Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Master Chorale and Center Theatre Group.  Raising over $70M, it prides itself in bringing in over 700,000 fifth graders to the Music Center.

The clothes were typical Ralph Lauren.  It was as if we were transported directly to Spain or Santa Fe, NM.  There is one thing that I respect and like about Ralph Lauren: the line is always American in style.  From sportswear to evening wear, Mr. Lauren's clothes celebrate the American spirit, heritage and all her offerings.

The splendor of living in a city like Los Angeles is that you can be moments away from a fashion show like this, a small art gallery, a large art museum or a dance performance premiere.  But the best part could be having spacious gardens that can house striking, over-sized sculptures.

Los Angeles.  It surprises me each day.