Hollywood art fair brings together multi-racial, anti-white supremacists to silently disco - GulfToday

Hollywood art fair brings together multi-racial, anti-white supremacists to silently disco

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US artist Channing Hansen (L) sits with his Star Trek-inspired work on display.

Frieze Los Angeles, a major art fair which brought together people from all walks of the world to move and groove in what’s called a silent disco in Hollywood's oldest major studio lot, saw some A-listers walk through the door in support of anti-white supremacists.

 

The art fair was filled with unique and beautiful installations that brought out peoples anger and helplessness for having to face white supremacy all around.

 

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People wearing headphones dance in front of works by US artist Gary Simmons at the Frieze Los Angeles 2020 art fair.

 

Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, created the dance work "F*** White Supremacy, Let's Get Free" in response to the politics of US President Donald Trump.

 

"Whenever I feel a lot of anger, fear, helplessness in my personal life, I usually go and dance."

 


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Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat stands next to an untitled work from her "Women of Allah" series.

 

The piece sees visitors don headphones and join a choreographed line dance.

 

Her project is part of Frieze's second show in Los Angeles -- a city which has historically struggled to maintain an international art fair, but is increasingly drawing wealthy collectors including local A-listers.

 

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Women look at art on display at the Frieze Los Angeles 2020 art fair in Los Angeles.

 

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez and Natalie Portman were among visitors to a Thursday preview, where Kendall Jenner purchased an abstract light installation by California artist James Turrell.

 

"Obviously being in LA means there is a wealth of celebrities and people in the movie industry, who are based here in the city, and many of them do actually collect art," said Victoria Siddall, Frieze's global director.

 

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A piece titled "Wonder Tree" by artist Evan Holloway is displayed at the Frieze Los Angeles.

 

New York remains the art market's global capital but Los Angeles represents a significant niche, she added.

 

"The West Coast is a very long way from the East Coast and they are very different places with different cultures, different artistic communities," said Siddall.

 

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A piece by US artist Will Boone titled "the Three Fates" is displayed at the Frieze Los Angeles.

 

Outside the physical confines of Frieze's tent, where paintings have traded hands for millions of dollars, artists like Cullors have been invited to showcase projects on Paramount Studios' famous backlot replica of New York streets.

 

Several pieces draw on the movies for inspiration.

 

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US artist Channing Hansen sits with his Star Trek-inspired work on display.

 

One replica Manhattan brownstone houses an exhibition dedicated to the representation -- or lack -- of Latino filmmakers in the movies.

 

Another invites visitors to play a bizarre game of chess inside an isometric grid made of wool from endangered sheep -- all apparently inspired by an episode of "Star Trek" that was filmed close by.

 

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Work by US artist Derrick Adams titled "We Came to Party and Plan" is displayed.

 

One week after the Oscars drew fire for its lack of diversity, Cullors says her message is as appropriate for the movie industry as the art world.

 

Hollywood "has been white for far too long," she told AFP.

 

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Work by Brazilian artist Sonia Gomes titled "Acordes Naturais" is displayed.

 

"Los Angeles is one of the places that's doing the best work at having a more multi-racial, more connected art world," Cullors added.

 

"But it's still very white, it's still very secluded, it's still very elitist."

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