ART ATTACK
By Kim Devore/Entertainment Writer
Liane Weintraub was among the local art lovers who gathered at the Barker Hanger for the opening night gala of the Los Angeles Art Show. From Hockney to Rembrandt, there was an artistic endeavor for every taste at this event. You’d find whimsical works by Chagall in one corner, dramatic 19th Century bronze work by Antonin Mercie in the next.
If Picasso was your passion, there was plenty to pick from, including a refrigerator-worthy satyr created in brilliant orange, yellow and blue crayon. Matisse’s 1947 jazz cutout was a stand-out with its wild sea-weed shapes in black, cobalt blue and chartreuse. From Robert Graham there were weighty cast copper panels.
Other classics included Diane Keaton, who continues to keep the Annie Hall look alive. The actress admired the show’s breathtaking selection, sporting a felt bowler hat, large man’s jacket and skinny bow tie.
There was plethora to please the Mod Squad. Cutting edge creations came in an endless array of materials-not only oil, metal, paper and pastel, but polyester, twine and even twigs. A painted grouping of tree branches, for example, could warm up your home for a cool 21,000 bucks.
Sometimes it was difficult to tell where the art ended and the ornamentation began. Chatting away over cocktails, I began playing with a couple of innocent-looking stones I assumed to be part of the table decor. It then came to my attention that they belonged to a $2,800 rock sculpture.
But whether it’s contemporary or classic, the art extravaganza is always a kaleidoscopic delight. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards, which provides scholarship programs for young performers and artists.
GALLIVANTING GOURMET
Sometimes you can’t help but think that Wolfgang Puck has a couple of clones. When he isn’t making the rounds at Granita or Spago, he’s off cooking up a storm for various charities. This year, he had something special to celebrate as his American Food and Wine Festival observed its 20th anniversary.
The high-profile charity has come a long way since Puck started out in the parking lot at Universal with a couple of pals. Now, hundreds of serious food fans flock to the studio’s back lot, sampling delicacies from sea to shining sea. They savored specialties from 31 chefs including Tom Colicchio of New York’s Gramercy Tavern, Michael Mina of San Francisco’s Aqua and Jonathan Waxman of Washington Park.
The following night, Mr. P. was at it again. Back at Spago, he presided over a sumptuous-tasting dinner featuring the work of top chefs, including Nobu’s Nobu Matsuhisa.
Among those enjoying a feast of French truffle soup and medallions of veal were Priscilla Presley, Suzanne Somers and Lionel Richie. The gourmet get-downs raised more than half a million bucks for Puck’s Meals on Wheels program.