It’s Oscar weekend, and that means L.A. is buzzing with celebrities and gawkers alike. LACMA is not immune. On view in the Resnick Pavilion is Larry Fink: Hollywood Parties, 2000–2009. These are just any Hollywood parties; for ten years Fink was invited to shoot Vanity Fair’s legendary Oscar parties. Neither documentary nor fanatical, Fink’s photographs capture the small, human moments.
Larry Fink, "Adrien Brody," 2003, lent by the artist, © Larry Fink
Opening on the top floor of the Ahmanson Building this weekend is the small installation of stunning photographs by Firooz Zahedi, Elizabeth Taylor in Iran. Zahedi accompanied Taylor to Iran in 1976 where they visited ancient Persepolis, Shiraz, and Isfahan. Though Taylor adopted the traditional dress of her surroundings, Zahedi’s photographs show that it was hardly enough to contain her star power.
Firooz Zahedi, "Dressed as an Odalisque," 1976, © Firooz Zahedi
The small screen is also getting some love from LACMA this weekend. Tonight in the Bing Theater we are presenting a selection of the UK’s best television commercials as chosen by top ad execs from around the world. For instance, extreme shepherding:
Tomorrow night our tribute to Jane Fonda comes to a close with 1981’s On Golden Pond, in which Fonda starred with her father, Henry, in his final performance (for which he won an Oscar, as did co-star Katherine Hepburn). The film is followed by Julia, from 1971, a period drama about playwright Lillian Hellman and her childhood friend, Julia. The film stars Fonda alongside Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep, Jason Robards Jr., and Hal Holbrooke.
If you’ve not been bitten by the Oscar bug at all, then come to the museum on Sunday evening for a little respite in the form of the Capitol Ensemble, performing works by Schubert and Brahms as part of the free Sundays Live concert series.
Scott Tennent