Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

In the early years of MOCA, only fifteen docents were invited and I was privileged to be one of them.  During my farewell visit to the museum, it seemed fitting that the exhibition was entitled "The Art of Our Time."

The works shown here are in part of those gathered loosely around the historical art movements, abstract expressionism, pop art and conceptual art.    

McCollum, 60 PLASTER SURROGATES (NO. 3), 1982-90

Basquiat, UNTITLED, 1981

Rothko

Rauschenberg, PAINTING WITH GREY WING, 1959

Krasner, PRIMEVAL RESURGENCE, 1961

Gorky, BETHROTHEL I, 1947

Johns, MAP, 1962

l to r: Rauschenberg, Giacometti, Krasner, Giacometti, Chamberain

Omni Hotel in Los Angeles

If you want to be near (virtually over) the art in the Los Angeles, California, stay in the beautiful comfort of the Omni Hotel.  A Nancy Rubin sculpture will be in your sight as you breakfast.  Your early morning swim is in the middle of town. And, evening cocktails are a celebration to my hometown with Angel's Flight in the background.  

Takashi Murakami at The Broad

Being affected by the Tohoku earthquake and pursuant nuclear disaster, the artist's exhibited work marked a turning point.  

The resultant expansive new work held great interest to those attending the opening of The Broad, Los Angeles' newest addition to the art scene on Grand Avenue. 

The Broad

Holding one of the most prominent collections of postwar and contemporary art worldwide, I was privileged to attend the inaugural exhibit.  Edythe and Eli Broad focuses their collection on the art of their time.  It was especially meaningful to me as I was spending the weekend on the ChampsLA, bidding adieu to my hometown.  

Designed by architecture firm Diller Scofidio & Renfro in collaboration with Gensler the "veil" is designed to be porous and absorptive.  

 Koons' TULIPS and Wool's UNTITLED 

Woven from red liquor labels, El Anatsui's RED BLOCK was created in 2010.

Koon's BALLOON DOG

Lichtenstein's COUP DE CHAPEAU II 

An art curator describes Therrien's UNDER THE TABLE.  

Takashi Murakami's expansive new work marks a turning point for the artist.  

Julie Mehretu's INVISIBLE SUN 

Otium

A truly special dining experience on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles .  It was served family style, and we were nearly stabbing each other with our forks to savor the next bite. 

Every year I performed at an orphanage on Bunker Hill when I was a child.  In the 40's it was a dangerous place.  Now, it is my favorite place to be with arts all around.  

Artists Celebrating Together at Christmastime

A party of fellow performers and dancers at the home of an artist.

Another Holiday Party

Being part of a select group of some of the most talented and accomplished women in Malibu is a privilege.  It has been organized for more than 40 years, making the Malibu Woman's Club the oldest club.  Always looking forward to raising funds to benefit student scholarships, the Christmas event benefits pediatric patients at a local hospital.  Our giving members traditionally host the luncheon in a private residence.

Frank Gehry Exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Pritzer-Prize-winning architect, Frank Gehry, is based in Los Angeles.  A revolutionary architect, he has embraced new technologies, methods and approaches to materials.  The exhibition includes models, sketches and photo murals and continues through March 20, 2016. www.lacma.org/

Walt Disney Concert Hall, project model, 1989 - 2003, Los Angeles, California 

Fondation Louis Vuitton, 2008 - 14, Paris, France

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, final design development model, 1991 - 97, Bilbao, Spain 

Chiat/Day Building, final model, 1985 - 91, Venice, California

Gehry Residence, model, 1977 - 78, 1991 - 94,  Santa Monica, California 

Gehry Buildings Currently Being Designed or Constructed

8150 Sunset, model, 2015 - present, West Hollywood, California  

Jazz Bakery, exterior model, 2011 - present 

Jerusalem Museum of Tolerance, model, 2000 - 2003, unbuilt, Jerusalem, Israel 

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Renovation, Cross Section, 2006 - present, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sketches of Frank Gehry

We were so hungry to know more about the architect and his work that we stopped to watch the film and took an offered docent tour.  The film was, "Sketches of Frank Gehry, 2006,"   a Sony Classic Film that was directed by Sidney Pollack.