The Los Angeles County Museum of Art debuted its "Art + Film" gala on Saturday, joining art institutions like MOCA that host anticipated annual galas in town. Intended to become an annual event, the gala at the museum honored Clint Eastwood and artist John Baldessari. Leonardo DiCaprio and Lacma trustee Eva Chow co-chaired the event. The evening celebrated the art of the moving image and brought together big players from both communities to achieve an impressive $3 million freshman fund-raising result.
The museum's associate vice president of development, Melissa Bomes, and director of major donor events, Andrea Aberegg, oversaw the programming, with Keith Baptista at KCD serving as executive producer and Bounce producing. Gucci sponsored the fund-raiser, which brought about 500 international guests and performer Stevie Wonder to the museum.
The gala began at Chris Burden’s "Urban Light" sculpture on Wilshire Boulevard with red carpet arrivals. Guests moved next to the BP Grand Entrance for a cocktail reception with entertainment from Jeremy Turner and the Big Foote orchestra. After cocktails, guests proceeded to the "Art + Film" pavilion on the north plaza outside the museum, where they were seated for a dinner prepared by chef Joachim Splichal of Patina. Champagne for the evening came from Laurent-Perrier.
Lacma director Michael Govan and Chow welcomed the crowd. Later in the evening, Govan presented the tribute to Baldessari and DiCaprio presented the tribute to Eastwood. The evening ended with a performance by Stevie Wonder with guests dancing to his hits, including "My Cherie Amour," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," and "Superstition."
