MUMMS THE WORD
They were doing the Ming thing over at the Bakarat Gallery in Bev Hills the other day as art lovers celebrated the Chinese New Year by checking out a $23 million dollar collection of glorious Asian antiquities.
In honor of year 4700, the Year of the Ram, Mumms provided the bubbly and waiters made the rounds with platters of, shrimp cakes with sweet pea puree, baby octopus and beef carpaccio.
Among the treasures-all kinds of mingqi (works created for the spirit world) including exquisite animals, urns, jars and figurines designed to accompany dearly departed VIPs on their voyage to the afterlife.
There were ferocious, whimsical and flamboyant spirit guardians, regal celestial kings as well as a brilliant collection of camels, horses and other creatures that were older than Rodney Dangerfield’s one-liners, dating back to 5000 BCE.
My personal favorite was a spectacular guilt stucco bust of a celestial guardian priced to move at $36,000. The gallery owner described it as a highly unusual and “rather recent” find. I soon found out that when they describe something as “recent” around here, they’re talking about the Silk Road and Marco Polo-around 1200 or so.
Ahh, seems like yesterday!
There was no shortage of admirers for this Asian extravaganza. The place was elbow to elbow, so packed, you really had to watch where you pointed your chopsticks. Hearts stopped when the gathering heard the horrific sound of something breaking into a billion bits on the marble floor. When it was discovered to be nothing more than a simple champagne glass, the Bakarat Gallery knew it would be starting off the New Year with good luck as well as good cheer!
PEACE PIECE
Musicians, singers and songwriters saved their political statements for backstage at the recent Grammy Awards ceremony, but Oscar night might be a different story. Several high-profile players are dusting off their peace signs, which could mean a smile-on-your-brother mark of mellowness or a symbolic anti-war statement.
Either way, Meryl Streep is said to be in on the action. In addition to some fabulous frock, the nominee will reportedly be sporting a sign-a specially designed pin inspired by Pablo Picasso’s “Dove of Peace.”
The ornament was designed by writer Cliff Rothman and Los Angeles dabbler and developer Xorin Balbes. The pair is behind a philanthropic group called Global Vision for Peace, which will pop up at the Oscars in hopes of sending a message or at least making a fashion statement.
Stay tuned.