NEWS: Leonardo DiCaprio hosts & Sting performs at LACMA Gala

LACMA’S THIRD ART+FILM GALA HONORS MARTIN SCORSESE AND DAVID HOCKNEY
AND RAISES Over $4 Million. LEONARDO DICAPRIO and EVA CHOW CO-CHAIRED THE EVENING ATTENDED BY more Than 600 PROMINENT GUESTS,
and FEATURED A LIVE PERFORMANCE by STING.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosted its third-annual Art+Film Gala on Saturday, November 2, 2013, honoring artist David Hockney and Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese. Co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the evening brought together more than 600 distinguished guests from the art, design, entertainment, fashion, and music industries, among others. The evening raised a record-breaking $4.1 million, with proceeds supporting LACMA’s film initiatives and future exhibitions, acquisitions and programming. The 2013 Art+Film Gala was made possible through the generous support of Gucci.

Also celebrated was the first collaboration between The Film Foundation (founded by Martin Scorsese), LACMA, and the Annenberg Foundation, to preserve four films by the acclaimed French filmmaker Agnès Varda. Dedicated exhibitions highlighting David Hockney (David Hockney: Seven Yorkshire Landscape Videos, 2011) and Agnès Varda (Agnès Varda in Californialand) open to the public at LACMA today.

Eva Chow, co-chair of the Art+Film Gala, said “It was a thrill to see so many people from the film, art, music, and fashion communities come together to pay tribute to David Hockney and Martin Scorsese, two of the most influential artists of our time. It was a joy to watch Sting’s fantastic performance of new and classic material.” She continued, “This gala would not have been possible without Gucci’s support for the third year in a row. Their investment in the Art+Film Gala is truly phenomenal.”

“I am grateful to Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio for chairing this important event for the third, record-breaking year in a row,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director. “It’s an additional pleasure to welcome David Hockney back to Los Angeles and exhibit his work in the Resnick Pavilion, and to show Agnès Varda’s artwork, and her films, which were restored through Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation.”

“Tonight was a truly special celebration of LACMA’s commitment to both art and film. It was an honor to stand alongside Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio as we paid tribute to two inspiring and influential artists,” said Gucci Creative Director and Gala Host Committee Chair Frida Giannini. “The evening was made even more memorable by Sting’s captivating performance.”

The Art+Film Gala, hosted by co-chairs Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow, began at Chris Burden’s Urban Light on Wilshire Boulevard, with red-carpet 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, accompanied by a performance by Dhani Harrison. After cocktails, guests proceeded to the Art+Film pavilion, overlooking Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass, where they 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, while further into the evening, famed magician Teller (of duo Penn and Teller) presented the tribute to David Hockney accompanied by a short film directed by Lucy Walker; Leonardo DiCaprio subsequently presented the tribute to Martin Scorsese accompanied by a special film conceived by Concept Arts. Frida Giannini then introduced Sting, who gave a special performance featuring the songs “Message in a Bottle,” “Fields of Gold,” “Englishman in New York,” “Desert Rose,” and “Every Breath You Take.”

Art world notables in attendance included David Hockney, Agnès Varda, Doug Aitken, 2011 Art+Film Gala honoree John Baldessari, Derek Boshier, Roy Dowell, Sam Durant, Urs Fischer, Larry Gagosian, Jennifer Guidi, Mark Grotjahn, Alex Israel, Barbara Kruger, Sharon Lockhart, T. Kelly Mason, Catherine Opie, Almine Rech-Picasso, Lari Pittman, Ana Prvacki, 2012 Art+Film Gala honoree Ed Ruscha, Analia Saban, Alex Slade, Diana Thater, and James Welling, among others. LACMA trustees in attendance included Eva Chow, Wallis Annenberg, Willow Bay, Colleen Bell, Ann Colgin, Kelvin Davis, Kelly Day, Joshua S. Friedman, Andy Gordon, Brian Grazer, Brad Grey, Victoria Jackson, Suzanne Kayne, Bobby Kotick, Brian Lourd, Jamie McCourt, Heather Mnuchin, Wendy Stark Morrissey, Jane Nathanson, Viveca Paulin- Ferrell, Janet Dreisen Rappaport, Lynda Resnick, Steven F. Roth, Carole Bayer Sager, Terry Semel, Casey Wasserman, Elaine Wynn, and Dasha Zhukova. Also in attendance were fashion luminaries Frida Giannini, Glenda Bailey, Derek Blasberg, Inez van Lamsweerde, Vinoodh Matadin, Suzy Menkes, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, and Stefano Tonchi, among others.

The entertainment world was represented by Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sting, Amy Adams, Rosan