| EVENT REPORT 02.23.09 10:22 AM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Sign of the Times |
| On Oscar night the Governors Ball tried for Zen-inspired understatement instead of splashy opulence, in deference to the recession. |
|
FROM LOS ANGELES When an economy of unprecedented lousiness met one of the the most traditionally lavish parties of the year last night, the result was a Zen-looking Academy Awards Governors Ball marked by restraint, compared with the drama of past years. The party took over the grand ballroom at Hollywood & Highland following the awards at the Kodak Theatre in the same complex.
The classic elements of air, fire, wood, and earth inspired this year's event, which Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions produced with ball chair Cheryl Boone Isaacs. This was Boone Isaacs' seventh year as chair, and Cecchetto has worked on the event for more than two decades. "In this economy, we wanted to go with a pared-down look, but keep it elegant and beautiful," said Cecchetto, who drew some of her inspiration from a teahouse in Beijing. She characterized the look and feel as a "marriage of simplicity and beauty." Boone Isaacs added that the use of organic elements in the design was "like a breath of fresh air," and something "totally different"—an important difference from past years, you might say, in light of the glum atmosphere in the world outside the ballroom. |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | The Governors Ball took over the grand ballroom at Hollywood & Highland.
Photo: Line 8 Photography |
|
|
|
|
 | Arrangements from Mark's Garden made use of materials like moss, polished stones, and grapevine, as well as bulb flowers, calla lilies, and orchids.
Photo: Line 8 Photography |
|
|
|
 | Compared with past years' vibrant tones, the palette for this year's ball was muted.
Photo: Line 8 Photography |
|
|
|
|
The ball's Asian-inspired designs included a focus on leafy motifs that repeated in lighting fixtures and patterns on the walls. Rows of flickering candles in wall panels contributed to a soft ambient glow. Mark's Garden supplied a variety of arrangements in variations on the Zen theme. Flowers in aubergine, green, and burgundy shared vessels with materials like grapevine, stones, and moss. Orchids, hyacinth, tulips, and calla lilies complemented bonsai trees. Mark's Garden co-owner Mark Held described this year's mood as "low-key, introspective, and refined."
Assisted by 250 culinary staffers, Wolfgang Puck again catered the seated dinner for about 1,500 well-heeled guests. Tray-passed hors d'oeuvres included mini Kobe burgers, black truffle and ricotta pizza, and wasabi-pea-crusted crab cakes. The dinner menu included smoked salmon, pumpkin coconut soup, slow-braised Asian-spiced short rib (1,000 pounds' worth, to be precise), and spring vegetable risotto with black winter truffles as a vegetarian option. Chocolate bento boxes served as themey desserts, along with mini chocolate Oscars and other sweets.
Sterling Vineyards supplied more than 1,500 bottles for the event, and Moët & Chandon about 1,200. Patrón tequila and Ultimat Vodka provided the cocktails.
—Alesandra Dubin
RELATED TOPICS
Award Season, Oscars, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Sterling Vineyards, Patron, Ultimat Vodka, Moët & Chandon, Governors Ball
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
Christian Louboutin Shoes Inspire Design Firm's Holiday Party
Chicago Chefs Prepare Apple-Cider Bubbles, Whipped Salt Cod for Food & Wine Entertaining Showcase
MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute
New Moon Premiere Beckons 10,000 People and 2 Live Wolves
Astronauts Greet, Galileo Tends Bar at Adler Planetarium's Celestial Ball
MORE STORIES ABOUT AWARD SEASON
Entertainment Tonight Emmy Party Amps Up Exclusivity With Shrunken Guest List, Venue Change
Emmy Governors Ball Goes for Jewel-Toned, Xanadu-Evocative Opulence
From the Archive: Photos From Emmy Parties Past
MORE STORIES ABOUT OSCARS
In the News: Oscar Taps New Producers, Izod Caps Year of Indy Partnership
In the News: Northern Trust Upsets Congress, Mardi Gras Carries on Despite Recession
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Wyndham’s upscale, casual, comfortable environments offer a wide choice of locations and broad array of amenities, services, and ambience. Wyndham is a great fit for varied budgets, tastes, and priorities. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
WPI Event Partners Inc.
WPI Event Partners has produced hundreds of strategic, brand-centric events for corporations throughout the world. Live experiences are designed to seamlessly integrate with your business communications, and convey your message with innovation, impact, and style. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
BizBash SCHED*
BizBash SCHED* is the leading provider of interactive event calendars, personal agenda builders, social networking, and communication tools for conferences, meetings, and festivals. BizBash SCHED* makes it easy for planners to publish detailed session information and keep attendees up to date. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
