Advertisement

LACMA’s gala for Resnick Pavilion has a ‘mask’ theme (plus Christina Aguilera)

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Cue those ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ piano chords.

On Saturday, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will host a benefit gala to celebrate the opening of the new Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion. According to the museum, the theme of the evening will be masks -- as in masquerade-style, plumage-bearing disguises.

The black-tie event will draw a who’s-who of major museum figures -- David Geffen, Michael Milken and Terry Semel are part of the host committee -- plus pop star Christina Aguilera, who is scheduled to serenade the ritzy crowd.

Advertisement

In preparation for the party, LACMA has been sending out miniature mask tchotchkes (pictured) to promote the event and to telegraph the title of the gala celebration, ‘The Unmasking.’

The museum said that attendees are invited to wear masquerade-style masks to the party, though they aren’t required. J. Ben Bourgeois will stage the gala celebration, having also worked on the 2008 party for LACMA’s own Broad Contemporary Art Museum.

Proceeds from Saturday’s event will go to benefit LACMA’s special exhibitions and programming.

Other members of the Resnick gala’s host committee include Shelli Azoff, David Bohnett, Eva Chow, Wendy Goldberg, Jane Nathanson, Carole Bayer Sager and Florence Sloan.

Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the pavilion is the latest addition to the LACMA campus on Wilshire Boulevard. The single-story structure features 45,000 square feet of space and a rotating set of exhibitions. The space is named after museum patrons Lynda and Stewart Resnick, who donated $45 million to LACMA plus an additional $10 million worth of art.

The Resnick Pavilion will officially open to the public on Oct. 2, with three exhibitions on view. The pavilion will hold a free community weekend on Oct. 2–3. Tickets are required for the free weekend and can be reserved online at lacma.org.

Advertisement

-- David Ng

Top photo: a LACMA mask for the Resnick Pavilion gala. Credit: Los Angeles Times

RECENT AND RELATED

Art review: Three inaugural shows at LACMA’s Resnick Pavilion

Critic’s notebook: Museums building on a renewed civic life

The go-to guy for art-world galas

Advertisement