Amid uncharacteristic rainstorms, Frieze art fair made its long-awaited Los Angeles debut on February 14. As befit its home in Paramount Picture Studios—the fair’s special projects were staged in the New York Backlot—Hollywood was out in full force for the event.
In addition to tennis legend-turned art collector John McEnroe and perennial art fair VIP Leonardo DiCaprio, other bold-faced names spotted at the fair’s VIP day included model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, talk-show host James Corden, and actors Jodie Foster, Rupert Friend, Nick Kroll, Amber Heard, Billy Zane, Sela Ward, and Alex Pettyfer.
Here’s what a few of the stars had to say to artnet News about their day at the fair.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt at Frieze LA. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
What do you think of the fair?
I really enjoyed it! I’m just happy for LA. There’s a big movement here, and this is a big fair. I’m hoping they can keep doing this every year and it can become something.
Did you see anything that could inspire your own art?
Sure, lots.
Did you buy anything?
No, no.
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone at Frieze LA. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Have you been to any other fairs in LA?
Actually, this is my first one, but I’ve been to many many fairs in other parts of the country and other parts of the world—it’s refreshing to do something in your hometown.
Did you see anything that you wanted to buy today?
Yeah—and I did!
Care to tell us what?
No!
Jane Fonda and Pilar Corrias, art dealer
Jane Fonda and her niece, art dealer Pilar Corrias, at Frieze LA. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
May I take your photo for artnet News?
Jane: Yes, if we do it with my niece, who is an art dealer. Her name is Pilar Corrias.
Are you showing here today?
Pilar: No, I’m just visiting from London.
Have you gone to art fairs together before?
Jane: Sort of, yes. Some of her artists are here today.
Do you collect and have you seen anything you wanted to buy today?
Jane: Yes, but it was sold.
That’s a bummer for you, but I guess good for the fair!
Jane: This is a very successful, wonderful thing!
Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher at Frieze LA. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
We just wrote an article about your amazing wardobe on The Nanny. Did you realize at the time that there was such a strong connection between the clothes and art history?
Sometimes! We were very drawn to the designers who were paying homage to the fine art painters.
The women who designed the clothes for the show and won an Emmy for it, Brenda Cooper, just reminded me of the time in a wardrobe session where I had put together a pink and orange outfit. She was a little repelled by that color combination. I said: “These are Gauguin colors.” And the minute I put it into that context, she saw it differently.
I attribute a lot of what I do, also as a director, to my appreciation of fine art.
Have you gone to art fairs in LA before?
Yes, I try to dip into what ever is around. I’m happy to see Frieze come to LA, and I hope it does well, so it will continue to come. It’s been nice to see over the few decades that I’ve lived here how culture has been elevated.
What artists do you collect?
I have very diverse interests: I have Alex Katz, I have Botero, I have Egon Schiele, I have Ed Ruscha—I have some wonderful pieces by artists I have favored over the years.
Have you bought anything today?
Not yet, but I’m only halfway through.
Awol Erizku, artist, and Daniel S. Palmer, Public Art Fund associate curator
Awol Erizku, artist, and Dan Palmer, Public Art Fund associate curator, at Frieze LA. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
How do you two know each other?
Dan: I curated a show with Awol.
Have you gone to fairs together before?
Awol: Not really, but we’ve bumped into each other.
Do you go to a lot of fairs?
Awol: I try to not to!
What brought you out today?
Awol: Dan!
Dan: Guilty as charged.
Have you seen anything that’s really excited you so far?
Awol: The [David] Hammons is pretty fire, but I’m biased. I’m not disappointed in the fair, but nothing else is really jumping out at me.
Dan: Definitely the Hammons.
Nelson Franklin
Nelson Franklin at Frieze LA. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
What brings you to the fair today?
My stepmother Ann and her friend Elizabeth were coming, and they invited us along. Elizabeth [Fiore] is an art advisor.
Do you collect?
My wife [actress Georgia Mischak] and I started buying art in the last couple of years. We have Andrew Ho, David Chan, Jerry Mischak, Wendy Edwards, and Mark Whalen. We don’t have a huge amount of space for art in the place but you know, we’re filling it up.
Have you seen any artist you might buy today?
We must have! We’re also going to Felix.
My assignment was to find celebrities at the fair, and now that I’ve talked to you, I might have enough to head there myself.
Who else did you talk to?
Brad Pitt, Jane Fonda, Stallone…
Oh shit. I’m right up there with those guys!
Frieze Los Angeles is on view at Paramount Pictures Studios, 5515 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, California, February 14–17, 2019.