Art
An Inside Look at LACMA’s Star-Studded Art + Film Gala 2023
Although the art world has no shortage of extremely fancy galas, there’s only one, as far as we know, that’s co-chaired by Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow. That event is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual star-studded Art + Film gala, a dinner party where cultural luminaries like Jane Fonda, Paris Hilton, and Larry Gagosian gather to break bread and raise money for the museum, which came to a total of $5 million this year.
Major attendees included honorees Judy Baca, the artist and activist behind the world’s longest mural and subject of a current LACMA solo exhibition, and David Fincher, director of countless iconic films like Fight Club, Seven, and The Social Network. Fincher is even the inventor of Netflix’s “skip intro button,” actor Brad Pitt, who has worked with Fincher many times, claimed during his speech introducing the director.
Have look at the star-studded event below.
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During cocktail hour, an art advisor tried to point me toward “a woman” with a train on her dress so grand, it was parting the crowd like the Red Sea. Ladies and gentlemen, he was talking about Kim Kardashian.
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This year, much like every year, Lauren Halsey and Monique McWilliams take the non-existent award for best dressed. But getting ready for this Gucci-sponsored gala is a different ordeal for everyone. “You can either have a fashion crisis and not enjoy the night or not have a fashion crisis, come as you are, and enjoy the evening,” said LAXART director Hamza Walker; he arrived in a smart set of J. Crew tech pants he had been wearing throughout the day. “I’m the exact opposite,” said Brendan Fernandes, who was dressed in Thom Brown. “I planned this for a week.”
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“People crying out in pain anywhere in the world can be heard here in LA,” said Michael Govan, threading the delicate needle of addressing global events. “Through dark times like these, I hope we can also feel the tremendous counter force of love that resonates in this room.” He also had a positive announcement concerning LACMA’s new Peter Zumthor building: “We’re now 70 percent finished”—a full 20 percent more finished than this time last year.
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At the power table, Squid Games star Lee Jung-jae sat next to J. Lo (pictured here with Eva Chow in the middle) who sat next to Ben Affleck. Brad Pitt sat next to him, and across sat Leonardo Di Caprio. Gallerist Kibum Kim of Commonwealth & Council named Lee as his starstruck encounter of the evening, a moment that was eclipsed when Kim found himself standing next to Pitt in the loo.
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The whole Hilton gang, including Carter Reum, Paris Hilton, Kathy Hilton, and Richard Hilton, was at the event.
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Billie Eilish, pictured here with Kirsten Dunst, was hands down the most popular girl at the party; she was the celebrity other celebrities asked to take pictures with.
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Jonas Wood named Eilish as the celebrity he was most starstruck by. “That’s what I was going to say!” added Shio Kusaka. They were the second-best-dressed art world couple at the party.
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“I remember studying Judy in school in textbooks,” Eva Longoria said in her speech honoring Judy Baca. In 1974, the artist had organized the City of Los Angeles Mural Program, a support system that provided hundreds of children in L.A. an artistic outlet, meals and psychological counseling as they painted historical imagery along the walls of the L.A. river. “When Michael called me and he said ‘Will you give this honor to Judy Baca?’ I almost fainted,” Longoria added. “It’s one of the biggest honors of my lifetime.”
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“What better honor than to be introduced by the ultimate chingona,” Baca said. Her current solo exhibition at the museum, “Painting in the River of Angels: Judy Baca and The Great Wall,” is on view through June 2.
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“I was raised in Marin County, just about San Francisco, where we were taught that Los Angeles was magnetic north for narcissists and sociopaths,” said David Fincher, pictured here with Andrew Garfield. “The stranger truth is I have met more capital A artists in Los Angeles than any other place I’ve ever lived or worked.”
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Awol Erizku and A$AP Rocky, wearing Gucci, strike a pose at the 2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
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When I told American artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya the after-dinner performer was going to be Lenny Kravitz, he audibly gasped. “I mean, he’s ageless!” Sepuya said, plus descriptions including “incredibly sexy.” It’s difficult to express in words the power Kravitz had over this crowd; once that twangy bassline of his 1998 single “Fly Away” hit, everyone started dancing. “He’s ageless!” Sarah Levine of Pace Gallery turned to me and said. Seeing Paris Hilton singing along to “American Woman,” I realized the rare quality that makes top-notch event entertainment: having at least four or five absolute banger hit singles that literally everybody loves but rarely thinks about. That is Kravitz’s magic.
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
Art
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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Art
Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
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