ManifestEquality Hollyood shows art with a message

This is one Oscar week event in Hollywood that's not just about the glitz. In a former dingy Big Lots space on Vine St. in Hollywood, ManifestEquality explores the theme of equal rights for all in a pop-up art exhibition that features dozens of contemporary artists. "The gallery has gathered international and local artists in a call to present art that unites art, activism and the message of universal equal rights into a memorable multi-media moment," explains organizers Jennifer Gross, Apple Via and Yosi Sergant in a prepared statement.   

Commune design gets props for remarkably transforming the mundane big box retail space into a of-the-moment gallery partitioned by angled walls perforated by recycled windows that uses every inch of space creatively--even the barbed wire fence outside. There are nighttime performances and DJs Wednesday and Saturday nights. Shepard Fairey DJ'd the opening night preview; look for his work in the show along with other artists such as Robbie Conal, Gary Baseman, Amanda Visell and a memorable building wall-sized justice mural by graffiti artist El Mac outside.

MANIFESTEQUALITY
1341 Vine Street
(between Hollywood & Fountain) 

Los Angeles, CA 90028-8141 

March 3rd - March 7th, 2010
Wed & Thurs - 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat & Sun - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wolfgang Puck unveils Oscar food: Smoked salmon and chocolate statuettes

Wolfgang Puck unveils Oscar food: Smoked salmon and chocolate statuettes

A guest post for Eating LA: always impressed by how many press people show up for a dinner dance preview. Spago's Sherry Yard shows off her heavenly baked Alaska.

Hollywood: Paying respect to Michael Jackson

A very "Day of the Locust" afternoon in Hollywood as streams of people gather to place flowers by Michael Jackson's star in front of the Mann Chinese. An outpouring of people and emotion that reminded me of the tributes and flowers to Princess Di outside Kensington Palace but with some only-in-L.A. craziness and media frenzy: 10 satellite news trucks, LAPD on horseback, helicopter buzzing overhead and all of Hollywood Blvd.'s best impersonators out in full force asking folks if they want a picture (Elvis, Marilyn, 2 Captain Jack Sparrows, 2 Obamas, Spider-Man, Batman & the Joker and Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ).   

I met Michael backstage at a Queen show at the LA Forum--Freddie Mercury was still in the band so it was decades ago.  I was there to interview the band for Videowest. I asked Michael if he wanted to be interviewed. No, he politely declined, but he told me he recognized me from TV.  Not sure what channel he was watching since I've never been on TV, but I was too awed to correct him (and he had two huge bodyguards in the days before anyone had bodyguards). He went to say hi to Freddie and watched the show from the side of the stage. Quiet and soft-spoken--he thanked me for getting him a soft drink--and a music fan--that's how I remember him. Take a final bow.