Hollywood is the epicenter of entertainment -- but sometimes the masses forget it is a hub of not just film and television but of immense artistic talent outside those filmic confines.
Saturday night was proof positive that entertainment is not the only game in town. Leonardo DiCaprio graciously lent his name -- and gave it his proverbially, understated, low profile all -- and co-hosted with Eva Chow LACMA's first annual Art And Film Gala Honoring Clint Eastwood and John Baldessari, two of this town's most impressive, artistic octogenarians.
Ms. Chow, wife of restaurateur Michael Chow, said she felt the merging that was going on here tonight was a long time coming -- it was just a matter of time. "Art is art," said Ms. Chow, "Film is art. Painting is art. This is a city that is a creative hub that needs to be recognized and now is the time -- just look around -- you have artists, next to actors, next to writers. It's the perfect artistic mix."
The best dressed of the evening crossed over to all fields of art and culture: Blondie Kate Bosworth, in a delicate lace cream concoction by British designer Erdem, was resplendent on the arm of her director (and boyfriend) Michael Polish. Dita Von Teese was her porcelain precise vintage self in a studded rhinestone nude number, and the new kid in town, art publicist Sara Fitzmaurice (she does Art Basel, Gagosian, and MOCA, among others) in a nouveau retro number by designer Lisa Perry. And while actress Drew Barrymore -- recently dubbed by Forbes as one of Hollywood's most overpaid -- went for a subdued and chic number, her shoes were big standouts -- vintage Alexander McQueen stilettos in black and fire engine red.
While art was definitely top of mind, there were more movie stars on hand than you'd find at virtually any award show between January and March in this town. To name a few: Reese Witherspoon (in a Cushnie et Ochs dress) Jon Hamm, Amy Adams, Uma Thurman, Harvey Weinstein, Armie Hammer, Eli Roth (whose mother Cora is an artist in her own right), Brian Grazer, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Hudson, Emily Blunt, Elisabeth Moss, Will Farrell, Gus Van Sant, Olivia Wilde, Steve Carrell, Mickey Rourke, and perhaps one of the best examples of an artist that has successfully straddled art and film, Julian Schnabel. Looking around the room, I realized with this crowd, there was only one thing missing to make this evening a slam dunk: Ricky Gervais. But then again, we'll see him in January. I hope Hollywood is ready.