If you have been reading the Daily Truffle for a few months, you know that the subject of art in LA (or lack of it) is very important to us.
Spending a lot of my childhood in NYC, and being exposed to museums and amazing exhibits, I developed a liking for anything art related at a very early age.
I am now pleased to say that within the past few months, LA has progressed significantly. Saturday night alone there were 2 shows focused on photographers; however we still want moreeee!
One of the forces that has helped LA’s progression is Prism Gallery on Sunset Blvd. You may remember Prism Gallery, as it played host to the after party for Moca’s 30th Anniversary Gala.
Another thing I like about is Prism is that it is the product of young minds. The space is perfect, and I really love that in LA you can go to an exhibit opening and see a diverse crowd of young adults, heavily interested in the works.
In case you don’t already know (where have you been?), here is some info on Prism:
Located on Sunset Boulevard, Prism is housed in a three story architectural space on the western end of the Sunset Strip. The mission of the project space is to become a cornerstone of artistic experimentation, carving a new niche for the arts here in Southern California. The long-term exhibition program, featuring national and international artists, promises to be vibrant and thought-provoking as it works with creative minds to cultivate a challenging and diverse aesthetic experience for the public. The space will also look to integrate lectures and film viewings to create a well-rounded multidisciplinary venue. Alongside the exhibition space, the project space will also house a bookshop with a curated selection of texts and products.
Saturday night, before the nights festivities, including The Weinstein Company‘s party, at the new Soho House, and 2nd night of Trousdale Lounge, my friend, Rachel Chapnik, and I went to check out Nobuyoshi Araki‘s new exhibit at Prism Gallery on Sunset Blvd (put on by Nadine Johnson and Associates).
Nobuyoshi Araki’s: A Perspective, is a veryyyy interesting and thought provoking exhibit of 70 photographs spread across 2 floors. While the subject of these photos may be too risque, others will thoroughly enjoy them and take a lot away from the experience.
Nobuyoshi is Japan’s most controversial and well known photographer, who has recently shot Lady Gaga in his signature bondage style for Vogue Homme, and counts singer, Bjork, as one of his biggest fans.
I like how Araki took something that is “taboo” and made it so artistic, real, and in some cases beautiful, as if to say not everything of this nature is wrong or perverse, etc. Yes, there were some images that were hard to look at, but I appreciated the work, detail, and thought that went into all of them.
I say real because most of the pictures were not airbrushed, so stretch marks, cellulite, veins, and other imperfections were visible.
The photos that were in color were amazing, in both bright and vibrant and soft and pale colors. It became clear that Araki paid very close attention to shadows and highlights.
Guests drank white white, beer, Coco Vita, and other refreshments.
LA natives, friends, and art enthusiasts included: Jared Najjar (owner) with his sister, two brothers, and parents, Stavros Niachros, P.C. Valmorbida with family, Nellee Hooper, Guinevere van Seenus, Andrea and Pietro Clemente, Nur Kahn, Seth Berman, Adrien Brody, Mac Hadar, Zac Hall, Sasha Filsi, Marissa Tomei with Liz Goldwyn, Lapo Elkann, Avril Lavigne with Brandon Davis, Brian Cook, Jay Harris with Ramez Tohme and Matt Kornberg, Devin Aoki, Ben Watts with Jeanann Williams, Andre Balazs, Sky Peters, Marco Perego, Jason Swartz, Aj English, Minnie Mortimer and Stephan Gaghan, Stryder Bartow, Michelle Laine and Yves Berlin, Kelli McKee, Guy Starkman and Darren Dzienciol, Calvin Chan, Eamon Kelly, Jeremy Piven, Kaycee Flinn, Sarah Howard, Cedric Benaroch, and many more.
After, most of us headed to Trousdale, where I saw a lot of friends, and everyone drank and danced the night away !
A few on going trends Rachel and I noticed throughout the night:
Most people wore all black
5 or 10 attendants sported a 90s grunge look
About 15 percent of the chic guests had their jeans/pants rolled up in a 50s sort of flood pant style
Right side of the 1st floor
This intriguing large glass structure had hundreds of small pictures spaced evenly in the middle of the 1st floor of the gallery. The presence of the photo mural as a whole was strong but when you got in closer, each picture was so different and very detailed. The photos were of all different genres,I’m guessing an accumulation of Araki’s work over time.
Atmosphere on the 1st floor
Atmosphere of the 2nd floor
The picture above is what I was refering to when I said I like the realness of his shots…. I like how her flaws are not airbrushed.
GAGA photos shot by Araki for Vogue Homme
Based on some of the self portraits and others things Araki, I imagine him to have an amazing sense of humor!
Interested in Mr. Araki? Watch his documentary
The pictures above were taken by myself or PMC
