LOS ANGELES, CA.- The Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosted its sixth annual Art+Film Gala on Saturday, October 29, 2016, honoring pioneering Light and Space artist Robert Irwin and Academy Award–winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow. Co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the evening brought together more than 550 distinguished guests from the art, film, fashion, and entertainment industries, among others. The evening raised more than $3.6 million, with proceeds supporting LACMA’s film initiatives and future exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming. The 2016 Art+Film Gala was made possible through the generous support of Gucci, with Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele as Gala Host Committee Chair.
Eva Chow, co-chair of the Art+Film Gala, said, “This year we honor two legends. Robert Irwin is a Los Angeles icon whose captivating work surrounds us here at LACMA and inspires people all around the world. He's been, and continues to be, a profound influence on so many artists of our time. I’m also proud to celebrate Kathryn Bigelow, another artist who creates unforgettable work. It’s beside the point to think of her as a great woman filmmaker. She’s a great filmmaker, period.” Chow added, “This memorable evening would not have been possible without the ongoing support of Gucci, our partner since the inception of this event. We are deeply grateful for their collaboration.”
“Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio are two of LACMA's greatest advocates for our art and film initiative. Over the last six years, they have been wholeheartedly committed to our explorations into the art of film, and we are incredibly grateful for their leadership,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director. “We are lucky to have a chance to honor Bob and Kathryn's artistic achievements. Vision and perception are at the core of Bob's pioneering art practice; Kathryn's films are visceral, painterly, and powerfully relevant. I am personally thrilled to celebrate both of their contributions to the world of art and film."
The Art+Film Gala began at Chris Burden’s Urban Light on Wilshire Boulevard, with redcarpet arrivals of art world and entertainment luminaries, fashion icons, and renowned artists. Guests then moved to a cocktail reception in LACMA’s BP Grand Entrance. During the cocktail hour guests previewed a special clip of Kathryn Bigelow’s latest virtual reality short film, The Protectors, produced by Here Be Dragons. After cocktails, guests proceeded to the Art+Film pavilion, overlooking Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass. Guests were seated for a special dinner prepared by Patina’s Joachim Splichal. Champagne for the evening was generously provided by Laurent-Perrier.
Michael Govan and Eva Chow welcomed the crowd, and further into the evening, Michael Govan presented the tribute to Robert Irwin. The presentation was accompanied by a short film written and directed by filmmaker Lisanne Skyler called A Few Things about Robert Irwin. Lawrence Weiner presented an on-camera tribute to Kathryn Bigelow followed by a special film produced by Kees van Dijkhuizen and Annapurna Pictures.
Following the presentations, Gwyneth Paltrow introduced BØRNS, who gave a dynamic performance that culminated in gala guests dancing to “10,000 Emerald Pools,” a cover of the iconic “Benny and the Jets,” and “Electric Love.”
Artists who attended the 2016 Art+Film Gala include honoree Robert Irwin, 2014 Art+Film honoree Barbara Kruger, 2012 Art+Film honoree Ed Ruscha, Doug Aitken, Walead Beshty, Louise Bonnet, Petra Collins, Thomas Demand and Nana Bahlmann, Sam and Erin Falls, Michael Heizer, Julian Hoeber, Thomas Houseago, Miranda July, Glenn Kaino, Jeff and Justine Koons, Andrea Longacre-White, T. Kelly Mason, Rodney McMillian, Catherine Opie and Julie Burleigh, Ana Prvacki, Ry Rocklen, Analia Saban, Adam Silverman, Joe Sola, Ricky Swallow and Lesley Vance, Wolfgang Tillmans, Kerry Tribe and Mungo Thomson, Jennifer West, and Jonas Wood and Shio Kusaka.
The entertainment and fashion worlds were represented by honoree Kathryn Bigelow, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gucci President and CEO Marco Bizzarri, Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele, performer BØRNS, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Dan Caten, Dean Caten, Asia Chow, China Chow, Bradley Cooper, Gia Coppola, James Corden and Julia Carey, Laura Dern, Jacqui Getty, Melanie Griffith, Hyo Joo Han, Salma Hayek Pinault and François-Henri Pinault, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Yusuke Iseya, Yun Kee Jeong, Donna Karan, Sang Woo Kwon, Brie Larson, Byung Hun Lee, J Yong Lee, Soo Hyuk Lee, Makenzie Leigh, Courtney Love, Demi Moore, Hari Nef, Fumi Nikaido, Ashley Olsen, Elizabeth Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bo Gum Park, Psy, Rain, A$AP Rocky, Liberty Ross and Jimmy Iovine, Zoe Saldana and Marco Perego, Reid Scott, In Young Seo, Jaden Smith, Jennifer Tilly, Kate Upton and Justin Verlander, and Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Other notable guests include Los Angeles Councilman David Ryu.
