Gaga for MOCA
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Video by Bethany Firnhaber
More than 1,000 celebrities, artists and patrons gathered to celebrate MOCA's 30th anniversary at the museum's Grand Avenue location Saturday night.
Art enthusiasts from around the world rallied to show their support for the contemporary art museum that nearly met with financial collapse and catch Lady Gaga's one-time-only live performance with dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, commissioned in honor of the art center's 30th year and recent comeback.
The much-hyped spectacle attracted a crowd that included Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Eva Mendes, Neil Patrick Harris, Kate Bosworth, Marisa Tomei, John Legend, Pharrell Williams and Christina Ricci, among others.
Gaga's live performance "The Shortest Musical You Will Never See Again," was captured by film director Jonas Ã…kerlund, who will later release the video on MOCA's website.
Created by artist Francesco Vezzoli, the lavish performance piece featured a hat designed by architect Frank Gehry, masks by Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann and costume designer Catherine Martin, costumes by Miuccia Prada, and a pink Steinway piano covered in butterflies customized by bad boy artist Damien Hirst.
Vezzoli's vision was inspired by European theatre and Hollywood, said MOCA Trustee and Gala Co-Chair Maria Bell.
"As an artist, I suppose I feel like the most exciting things that are being done culturally right now for me are in the modern arts - much more so than in music," said Garbage singer Shirley Manson.
"I think Francesco Vezzoli does some really weird and interesting things and I think Lady Gaga is an interesting cultural figure. I think the danger with her is to expect anything - I think she wants to defy our expectations, which is why I love her."
Fashion played a big part in the festivities, as guests strutted down MOCA's hot pink carpet in their most striking designer wares. Stefani sported a mix of Balenciaga and Dolce & Gabbana in the form of a white bustier and black harem pants, while Kate Beckinsale and others donned full evening wear.
While over-the-knee boots and long-tailed dresses were the fashion for many, Ricci chose a knee-length green sleeveless dress with black satin pumps. Beckinsale shone in a floor-length forest green one-shouldered gown, while Manson sported a flowing black Marchesa dress with beaded flowers and Bosworth wore a black and white leopard print Proenza Schouler.
Thirteen-year-old fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson, an avid fan of Gaga, had her own ideas about what the singer would be wearing for the big performance.
"I thought that maybe she would wear Marc Jacobs because she's doing it with ballet dancers and his collection was inspired by ballet," the junior fashionista explained after stating that she was "obsessed" with Gaga's new music video.
In addition to the many artists and Hollywood fixtures, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was also on hand to fete the landmark institution credited with putting Los Angeles on the international art map.
"Today is a celebration of its [MOCA's] redemption - it's the celebration of a new chapter in its development and history," said the Mayor. "When you think about the fact that so many people from all around the world have come today for this opening, it speaks to the tremendous collection here."
The museum is celebrating its anniversary by showcasing its internationally recognized collection of contemporary works by artists including Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichenstein.
Philanthropist Eli Broad and MOCA's trustees, donors and patrons raised more than 60 million dollars over the past year, rescuing the museum from near financial ruin.
"This is a whole new era for the museum and we couldn't be more thrilled," said Bell while at the event.
"Tonight is just the best celebration of the anniversary of 30 years of MOCA and really thinking about MOCA's future and how much we have in store for us."
The gala has raised four million dollars towards MOCA's exhibition and education programs and is expected to bring in additional funds through online auctioning of the costumes used in Saturday's performance.
MOCA will continue its anniversary celebrations throughout the week with free museum admission for members and a 30th birthday party at MOCA Grand next Saturday.
