As the world has been suffering through the Bush years, a heavy yoke of cynicism has gripped America. We've become a nation held hostage to fear and the sense that no one is minding the store. Lies, war, deficits, and religious fundamentalism have torn our nation apart, leaving us a people more at civil war than working towards civility.
Enron, Exxon, and Haliburton have become synonymous with America's loss of hope. Our president offers empty prayers and platitudes while we cry out for jobs, peace, equality for all people, hope for the future, and advancements in medical science. Katrina, the wasteful Iraq war, America's eroding education system, and the abuse of the Constitution make us all American heroes for surviving the most inept president in our beloved nation's history.
Quietly throughout the country, and indeed the world, people have risen above cynicism to buck the trend and work toward optimism. Leaders and ordinary citizens in the private sector realize that we are do not own our country, we are only borrowing it from future generations. Monetary donations, each kind gesture, and every sensible thought help combat the hopelessness and stupidity that threaten to confuse Americans into self-destruction.
As our presidential candidates promise change, a brighter tomorrow is being nurtured all around us. People still volunteer, work long hours, and strive daily toward the illuminated light of humanity's collective brilliance. Industry leaders who have earned vast fortunes have emerged as lifeboats of hope. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation top the list of philanthropic bulwarks that have continued to support the common good without regard for personal fortune.
Last Saturday night Los Angeles celebrated America's bright new tomorrow. In spite of budget cuts, naysayers and engineering challenges, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) opened its sensational new Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) with a stylish gusto that sent pessimism to the poor house. Under the blanket of a perfect star-lit, star-studded night, Angelenos welcomed the beautiful BCAM and the transformed LACMA campus. Over 1,200 optimists, stars, and politicians gathered to greet the building that is as beautiful as the dream that created her.
Expertly organized by Jane Nathanson, the evening was as flawless and hopeful as the new energy invigorating Los Angeles and the country. After a rousing performance by Lionel Richie, the tent-like structure was filled with the powerful music-only rendition of the Led Zeppelin rock classic Kashmir. As the stage carrying the electrifying, violin-pounding musicians rose out of sight into the ceiling, the tent's three-story massive white fabric wall dramatically dropped unveiling the new museum's beautiful façade with its lace of bright red stairways (Renzo Piano and Gensler, Architects). Like the opening of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2003, it was a prideful night for the city, the nation, and the art world.
No faith-based, Bush tax dollars here. BCAM was funded mostly by the private sector headed up by a 50 million dollar-plus donation -- and the extraordinary vision -- of Eli and Edythe Broad. The Broads are among scores of names that aren't on movie marquees but lead LA with more vision than all the Hollywood A-list stars put together. The Broad's donation was backed up by a 25 million dollar donation by Lynda and Stewart Resnick, a 10 million dollar donation by Jane and Marc Nathanson, an 11 million dollar donation from the Annenberg foundation, a 13-million dollar donation by Camilla Chandler Frost and a 24 million dollar donation from the Anna H. Bing trust as well as many other generous visionaries (source: LACMA 2/08). The generosity from these community leaders is mind blowing, heart warming, and inspirational. Theirs is a legacy built in action, not just in prayers and abandoned promises.
On Saturday night, the tide was full on the sea of possibilities. The wind is always with us when we aim towards a perfect vision. Leaders like LACMA's director, Michael Govan, are storming ahead with their sails billowing, navigating their ships from the bow, forward across the stormy sea.
By the time Hollywood's paragon Greta Garbo sails the stormy sea at the end of Queen Christina, she's created a work of museum-worthy cinematic art. This is the story of the Swedish Queen who was raised to live life as a boy because her father desperately wanted a male heir. Far from historical accuracy, the film's writers painted a masterpiece in words, and Garbo's androgynous beauty and her thick, husky voice accented them with artistic license. Six years before Gone With the Wind's optimistic Scarlett O'Hara, Garbo was looking toward the setting sun with tomorrow's possibilities still blazing in her eyes.
Garbo's Queen of Sweden defends her country with wisdom and leads her land with a peaceful vision. She stops fear and chaos with common sense and mutual respect for her subjects. She implores her people, "Don't die for your country, but live for it."
For the film's immortal, closing shot, Director Rouben Mamoulian told Garbo to walk to the bow of the ship then -- unblinking -- think about "nothing, absolutely nothing. I want your face to be a blank sheet of paper. I want the writing to be done by everyone in the audience."
Saturday night at LACMA the writing was clearly written on everyone's wide-eyed face as they witnessed America's magical unveiling. No one was thinking of nothing. We stood there in awe of perfection and the committed work that made a dream come true. BCAM is a proud legacy to the Broad's, and a striking monument to art as well as the possibilities in all of us who dream for tomorrow. Bravo.