SHOW STOPPER

Last night Pier 59 West hosted BizBash's Bi coastal Issue party. What was suppose to be 2 hour corporate mixer turned into a mini-Vegas escapade, including igloo-type retreats and cirque du soleil-esque entertainment! That's right, P59W knows how to throw a party!!! Of course we could have just had a standard meet and greet, show off our four studios and end it, but why would we??? We had to show these event planners and party peeps how we get down. Truth be told, we are a little shocked ourselves how fabulous last night turned out (as a result a tad bit hungover) but we couldn't have done it without the help, vision and talent of the following vendors. Zen Arts LA provided the most amazing entertainment you could have ever imagined! Aerialists, Gymnasts, Fire dancers oh my...there is nothing they cannot do(as depicted in the photos above). Lounge Appeal and Skyline events came through with Oscar after-party worthy furniture and mood lighting. Transforming our space into a South Beach nightclub in a matter of hours. Town and Country provided the most talked about piece of the night. The Luna Lounges parked in Studio A had everyone congregating in there all night long. LA photo party was on site providing group shot shenanigans for everyone. Blue Angel Vodka and Izze Waters concocted some of the best tasting martinis I have had in a long time. Finally, special thanks to Vinoteque, Yummy Bartenders and of course Food Fetish...blue cheese sliders, need I say more?

FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

There was an awful lot of activity at Bergamot Station this week, in addition to our Douglas Kirkland lecture, Robert Berman Gallery and Writer’s Boot Camp hosted a benefit for fine art photographer John Colao. John was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2004 and has been battling this incurable cancer for 5 years. Now without health insurance and in need of additional care, Writer’s Boot Camp put together a lovely fundraising evening with a performance from legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd and his Quartet. The invitation image “Safe and Effective Medication” was donated by Venice artist Ed Ruscha, and as guests mingled, projectors showed classic films such as Antonioni’s Blow Up and Godard’s Breathless as KCRW’s Tom Schnabel spun discs for the crowd. Delicious food and drink were provided by Venice favorite Hal’s Bar and 213 Downtown. Bergamot Gallerist Robert Berman conducted an auction after the event to raise money for the cause with beautiful photographs by Sante d’Orazio, and artworks by ET Risk, Andy Moses, and Alejandro Gehry.
Thank you to everyone who donated and participated in this event. It was wonderful to see the artist community come together to help one of their own!

For further donations, please contact berman@artnet.net

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...

Courtesy of Douglas Kirkland

Who said Angeleno’s don’t travel in bad weather?!? All they need is a good reason, and this was a reason like no other. Last night Pier 59 West was privileged to host Samy’s Photographer of the Month Series with legendary photographer, Douglas Kirkland and moderator Mark Edward Harris . I was a bit shocked to see so many people attend a lecture series on a Tuesday night, but after five minutes of sitting down and listening to Douglas, it quickly became apparent what the draw was. Even before the presentation began, he was already engaging the audience with such charisma. The discussion focused on his body of work over the last 50 years and his journey as a photographer… and what a journey it has been. Starting with his early years in Canada, to his apprenticeship with Irving Penn, then delved into his photojournalism career that allowed him to hobnob with Hollywood royalty such as, Audrey, Elizabeth, Bridget and Marilyn….you felt transported back in time to a different era. It was like watching an old movie that you didn’t want to end. And the stories he told to accompany his photos were not only entertaining but informative ( even for those non –aspiring photographers sitting in the audience). One couldn't help but note his vivacious spirit and deep passion for photography. He also was adamant about his message to all of us in the industry: "make something happen!" At the end of the presentation, he signed books and took the time to speak with everyone in the room. Quite a lot of energy for a gentleman in his mid-70's. Everyone left feeling inspired and in awe of one the greatest photographers of the 20th century..
Thank you Samy’s for letting us be a part of this with you…we are looking forward to the next lecture series!!!

STUDIO REVIEW: PHOTOLA

Courtesy of Tony Duran

This past Thursday, January 14th, we found ourselves at the 19th annual photoLA event in Santa Monica. It was the opening night to what is deemed as one of the foremost art fairs in the country co-hosted by photographer David LaChapelle and actor/photographer Chris Lowell. Galleries from Los Angeles to New York, San Francisco to Santa Fe, and Germany to China all displayed iconic and compelling images.

Although there was many die hard photo collectors amongst the masses, there seemed to be the fair share of those looking to rub elbows with LaChapelle himself. One had only to look away from the photos on display to spot him as his array of colorful characters escorted him to and fro around the gallery floor. Part of our own entourage was lost to the glitz (we won't name names),while others resigned to the bar/food area in hopes of obtaining one of the elusive sliders.

One of the most intriguing collections came from LA's golden boy, fashion/ celebrity photographer, Tony Duran. Shots from his “Porn Room” series made their debut at the Guy Hepner Contemporary booth. The limited edition 50”x60” prints were presented in all their glory and definitely were selling like hotcakes.

The $75 ticket benefited the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department at LACMA.

Gabriel A. Guzman

COME JOIN US AT THE FIRST ANNUAL PHOTO LA

Opening Night Reception
Benefitting the Wallis Annenberg Photography
Department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

January, 14th 6 - 9 pm
Hosted By
David La Chapelle
& Christopher Lowell
Buy Tickets Online
or download Ticket Order Form (pdf file)

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

(Reposting from Mercy Corp)

How you can best help Haiti's earthquake survivors
Country: Haiti
Topics: Emergencies

We want to thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of support and offers to deploy and help out with the emergency relief effort. We appreciate your willingness to lend a hand!

Unfortunately Mercy Corps does not send volunteers to our programs overseas, even in emergencies. Our staff is made up of paid professionals, and we hire people locally.

We also don't accept donations of disaster-relief items.

There are many good reasons for these policies, most of which can be found on the FAQ page of the Center for International Disaster Information, under the "Volunteering" and "Donations - In-kind" sections. It also explains at the top why cash donations are the most helpful way to help — how they allow relief supplies to be purchased locally, giving a "triple advantage ... of stimulating local economies, ensuring that supplies arrive as quickly as possible and reducing transport and storage costs."

If you'd like to do more than simply make a donation, please consider setting up your own fundraising page here on our site, spreading the word via Facebook, Twitter or your email list, holding a fundraiser in your community, or post one of our banners on your website.

Thank you!

SOPHOMORE

Sophomore S/S10 from Purple Magazine on Vimeo.

Sophomore, the New York brand created by Chrissie Miller, has truly forged a style of its own by linking with new trends in the Big Apple. Cass Bird, a regular collaborator with the brand, has made a captivating film for their spring summer 2010campaign.

We can't wait to see the film. For now we'll leave you to enjoy the trailer...
(View on Fashion)