It may have been a big museum fund-raising dinner, but don't call it a gala. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles commissioned local artist Doug Aitken to transform the institution’s annual benefit into an experiential work of art. His vision for the dinner tent was an amalgam of art, music, and choreographed performances to accompany MOCA’s exhibition "The Artist’s Museum"—and thus Saturday night's big event was known as "The Artist's Museum Happening." MOCA's Samuel Vasquez and Laurie McGahey oversaw the event internally, and Bounce headed the production, with Carleen Cappelletti leading the design.
The event at MOCA Grand Avenue drew about 900 guests and began with cocktails and a private preview of the exhibition, followed by "the Happening." It took place inside of a 24-foot-long tent topped by a dramatic art installation in the ceiling: a sculpture made from 2,400 running feet of running white PVC pipe interspersed with 191 pieces of Versatube, originally conceived by L.A. architect Barbara Bestor and designed and executed by Bounce. Tent walls were a black-and-white-striped pattern inspired by a type of camouflage used in World War I known as "razzle dazzle." And on them were artworks in poster form from 18 different local artists, from Ed Ruscha to Catherine Opie.
Under Aitken’s direction, the night included musical performances by Devendra Banhart, Beck, and Caetano Veloso. Dinner included organic foods gathered from local community gardens by chef Joanna Moore, owner of Venice-based restaurant Axe; the meal was executed by Along Came Mary. Chanel Fine Jewelry served as sponsor.
"What's interesting about this year is, it's probably 180 degrees from last year [because of Aitken's vision]," said Cappelletti. "He came in as the curator and visionary of the event, and his vision is much more natural, organic. The happening is mean to be inclusive, a celebration of California arts."
All this pomp came just a short time removed from MOCA's deep financial problems, and comes a year after what was then the museum's most successful fund-raiser ever, taking in $4 million. "There is the sense that MOCA is back," said Cappelletti. "What we all strive for in everything is, how do you top, or how do you match. The interesting thing is, people in Los Angeles and internationally—so it was discovered last year—are really committed to the success of MOCA. Everybody gathered to make that happen, and the momentum has continued. It's really exciting to be part of something like that, and it's really important to L.A." Final fund-raising figures from this year's gala are still being tallied.
