UK contemporary art fair Frieze recently took place in Los Angeles, attracting a star-studded crowd that included Hollywood celebrities and industry insiders. The event, held at the Santa Monica Airport, featured a VIP preview where notable figures such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Robert Downey Jr., Will Ferrell, Anthony Kiedis, Owen and Luke Wilson, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Jessica Biel, John C. Reilly, and more were spotted perusing the art on display.
The fair also saw the presence of prominent personalities like Ryan Murphy, creator of 'American Horror Story,' and Ari Emanuel, whose firm Endeavor owns the event. Industry heavyweights such as WME co-chair Richard Weitz, former Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz, 'Sex and the City' creator Michael Patrick King, and Giants owner Steve Tisch were seen networking and engaging with the art world.
One of the highlights of the fair was the sale of a 2009 Richard Serra drawing for $2 million by Gladstone Gallery. Additionally, Thaddaeus Ropac gallery sold a Robert Longo piece for $1.6 million and an Anselm Kiefer artwork for $1.4 million. The event attracted a total of 32,000 visitors over four days, with attendees enjoying culinary offerings from popular eateries like Roberta’s, Kismet Rotisserie, and Botanica in an outdoor dining area.
Frieze Americas director Christine Messineo expressed satisfaction with the fair's success, noting that galleries reported sold-out booths, seven-figure sales, and significant acquisitions by museums. VIP guests had the opportunity to relax in the Deutsche Bank Wealth Management Lounge when they needed a break from the bustling art scene.
