The Biggest Surprise at LACMA’s Star-Studded Gala Wasn’t on the Red Carpet

Fifteen years, a room full of Hollywood royalty, and a record-breaking nearly $7 million later, Eva Chow had one more announcement to make. At LACMA’s 15th annual Art+Film Gala, the longtime co-chair revealed that this year’s celebration would be her last in the role—closing a chapter she helped turn into one of Los Angeles’s most coveted invitations.

Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Audi

And quite the send-off it was. Presented by Gucci, the November 7 gala brought more than 600 guests together to honor artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, with Chow and fellow co-chair Leonardo DiCaprio once again assembling a crowd that made a compelling case for art, film, and fashion sharing the same room. ROSÉ supplied the soundtrack, including the live debut of her new single, “New Trick.”

Before the performances and tributes, the evening began with a familiar LACMA ritual: photographs against Chris Burden’s Urban Light. Guests then headed to the Smidt Welcome Plaza for cocktails before moving into a dinner pavilion overlooking Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass, where Savore Cuisine & Catering created the evening’s menu. With that much art already in the scenery, the décor had some formidable competition.

The guest list was equally impressive. Nicole Kidman, Timothée Chalamet, Viola Davis, Al Pacino, Andrew Garfield, Emma Watson, and Anya Taylor-Joy joined Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Sienna Miller, and Salma Hayek Pinault. Elsewhere in the crowd were Orlando Bloom, Quinta Brunson, Sarah Paulson, Sofia Vergara, Olivia Munn, and Paris Hilton, alongside artists including Ed Ruscha, Catherine Opie, Mickalene Thomas, and Lauren Halsey.

Photo Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Audi

Gucci, which has supported the gala since its 2011 debut, dressed a considerable portion of the room. Chow, Celmins, Villeneuve, Demna, and LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan wore the house, as did Chalamet, Davis, Garfield, Kardashian, Miller, and Hayek Pinault. Audi provided additional support, including transportation in its Q9 fleet.

But the evening’s most personal moment belonged to Chow. Govan paid tribute to the woman whose vision helped establish the gala as a meeting place for creative worlds.

“Eva, you were the one who could bring together so many artists, filmmakers, designers, and creatives, and your art continues to be about bringing creative worlds together,” he said.

Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Audi

Taking the stage, Chow thanked the sponsors, friends, and supporters who had helped build the event over the past 15 years before announcing her departure as co-chair.

“I leave this chapter with tremendous pride, and above all, gratitude,” she said. “I hope the gala will continue to grow and inspire future generations, bringing together the world of art and film for many years to come.”

That connection was at the heart of the evening’s two honors. Novelist Rachel Kushner introduced Celmins, followed by a film about the artist directed by Alison Chernick. In accepting her honor, Celmins reflected on the city’s influence on her work.

Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Audi

“Los Angeles had a big influence on me,” she said. “I had never lived next to the ocean and I had never seen the land, and it sort of crept into my work.”

Kidman then paid tribute to Villeneuve before a presentation of highlights from his films. For the filmmaker, recognition from an art museum carried particular significance.

“When a museum, a temple for artists, welcomes a filmmaker and puts the spotlight on cinema, it means a great deal to me,” Villeneuve said. “Especially this museum, because LACMA has already given me so much.”

Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Audi

The museum’s next generation of visitors also received a mention. During his welcome, Govan announced the installation of Shio Kusaka’s Beam on the Paris Hilton and Carter Reum Terrace. Supported by Hilton and LACMA trustee Reum, the clay flying saucer with a yellow beam of light will welcome families to the W.M. Keck Education Center.

After dinner, Hilton took on another role, introducing ROSÉ for the evening’s finale. The singer debuted “New Trick” before performing “Number One Girl,” a cover of The Killers’ “Read My Mind,” and “APT.” The art crowd, it turns out, had every reason to stay for the music.

The gala’s record-breaking proceeds will support LACMA’s film initiatives, exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming. For Chow’s final year as co-chair, nearly $7 million made for a particularly fitting curtain call.

Photo Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Audi

Read More

Look back at last year’s LACMA Art+Film Gala, and see where it all began with Haute Living’s preview of the inaugural 2011 gala co-chaired by Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow.