Please LA, Please More of This!

Yesterday was a perfect example of why it's important to leave the house. Trust me when I say, at times such a task is impossible. Only an act of superhuman courage, strength and a wobbly belief in the tenet 'fresh air will do me good," lead me to such feats. And what a feat yesterday was.

Paris Photo at Paramount April 27, 2013

Paris Photo is an art fair that was created in the 90's. It happens in both Paris and LA. Here, taking place for one short weekend at the Paramount Lot in Hollywood, it's generally a place for art collectors to buy art, art fans to drool over amazing images, and regular people like me to stare at EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. Frankly I never heard of Paris Photo until my friend Nicole emailed me asking if I'd like to go. I have a few friends - and a husband - who like art as much as I do. Nicole is definitely one of them. As is Max, a great photographer in her own right, who rounded out our little trio. The truth is, thank God for all these people. Because while I may say I love art, I don't see it nearly as much as I'd like and a friend's call to extricate me from my cave is the best chance I get to see it.

Me, Nicole & Maxalina at Paris Photo, Parmount Lot

I'd like to go in the other room right now and grab my keys and get my Paris Photo Book out of the car but my husband is allowing a friend to shoot a scene from a movie in our living room today and I don't want to walk into a shot. Frankly, the whole thing is unnerving. I don't think they're really shooting yet, I think they're just rehearsing. But this guy keeps shouting, "Let's throw her off the building!" and it's making my heart race and I don't think it's helping my dog's gas problem too much. Back to art:

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Car No. 4, Andy 

Thank God for Andy. This is literally the first piece of art I saw at the fair. I walked into Stage 32 on the Paramount Lot and there it was. I almost died, texted my friend Adco immediately, and then carried on and started walking through the space. As we walked by all these photographs I had no idea how truly fascinating photography has become. Photographs move now. I saw a piece by Leenam Lee. The movie I shot isn't good enough to post. It was the very moving (in many ways) "Mountain Villa and Lofty Recluse." Nevertheless, just so you can get the idea, here's what I found by him on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKtnPOB0VoY

One other thing that stopped me (and many others) in our tracks were the pieces from the Chicago Gallery Catherine Edelman. This gallery showcased more hypnotic mixed media of HD Video, painting and photography - this time by Gregory Scott. They also had these wild smoking girls:

This is the only photo that came out halfway decent. But this Frieke chick is hilarious and I loved these!

But I think aside from the ridiculously cool photography that was EVERYWHERE

By Fred Herzog (a big hit with my little trio, entitled "Foot of Main." This print runs for 8gs)

These are photos not paintings. Yay!

black & white silver gelatin prints

This little chick had beads for hair. Yep, those are BEADS. Loved Loved Loved.

There were also cool people everywhere. I'm talking about the people who go to the party I don't even know I'm not invited to. They were almost as stimulating as the photographs: models who like art, actors who like models, and artists who wear funny clothes. Their toddlers are more fashion-forward than I ever was or ever will be.

Dayglo Shoes are in (apparently)

We obsessed over this couple. I tried to sneak a shot pretending I was interested in whatever was behind them. I wasn't.

This is a facade on the lot. Inside is a gallery.

It was all very exciting. Photography was being bought, people were wearing GOOD clothes and if they weren't good, at least they were interesting looking, and loads of industry peeps were chatting up a storm. I had NO idea who most of them were of course, but I spotted Tyra Banks, Rob Reiner, and I might have walked by Michael Pitt. I'm sure he wondered if I was Tina Fey. In fact, I'm positive. As I write this about him, he is most likely writing about me. I mean, right?

Sadly by the time this is published, there may be 3 hours left to see it. I'm so sorry! Paris Photo is at 5555 Melrose Ave., LA, CA 90038. It costs 28 bucks to get in and there is parking on Gower at the parking structure but it costs $12.00. Street parking is available - because seriously, who needs to spend 12 bucks to park their car?

And do know that with this blog, I plan on giving you far more notice about what to do in town. In the meanwhile, if you hear of an event I should attend, let me know. Let's paint this town red! Wow, when I first wrote that I wrote, "Let's pain this town red." I feel typos are so insightful.