Beyond Spock

One thing is clear: Nimoy has little interest in reprising his role as Spock Prime.

“It was wonderful being a part of (the Trek reboot),” Nimoy said. “I’m glad I was involved and could bring the two generations together. But this new cast works so well, I think it’s time for them to take center stage. This is their experience now.”

When asked if co-star WIlliam Shatner ever saw the new Trek, Nimoy denied knowing the gentleman.

Last Saturday, the Santa Monica Museum of Art hosted hundreds of guests, as their first Halla Gala went off without a Halloween hitch. As reported earlier, in addition to co-hosts Leonard and Susan Nimoy, the dress as your secret self event had some pretty big fashion names attached to it as well, one of which was Corinne Grassini, owner and design mind behind the line Society for Rational Dress. "I loved the twist on the traditional costume party," Grassini said. "Each person’s look created a conversation, and it was interesting to see all the different ways the concept of 'secret self' was interpreted."

Between photography sessions, Nimoy explained that in ancient Greece, Aristophanes posited the theory that human beings may once have had four legs, four arms and two heads, making them so powerful and arrogant that Zeus split them in two. Perhaps a problem-solver for the gods, but the tactic left human beings forever seeking their other half.

"We have a missing piece," Nimoy said, "So we spend our lives searching for our secret selves -- in partners, in lovers."

For the one night, event organizers installed nine photos from Nimoy's "Secret Selves" exhibition, which will premiere in July at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., revealing the fantasies of some of the participants in the project. Photos from the Santa Monica fundraiser, however, will remain private. "It will be their secret," Nimoy said.

At dusk on October 31, Halloween night, SMMoA and hosts Susan and Leonard Nimoy welcomed hundreds of fantastically-attired party-goers to The Halla Gala. SMMoA Trustees, donors, artists and featured designers, dressed as their secret selves, enjoyed a delectable feast in a magical setting and were treated to complimentary photographs in a surrealist photobooth. Costume contest winners Miriam Wosk, Olga Garay and Kerry English (i.e., the two Fridas and Trotsky) walked away with the grand prize—a private photo portrait session by Leonard Nimoy, who generously took photographs that evening of high-level package buyers. The Halla Gala raised over $400,000, thanks in part to a generous matching grant from Chora* - a direct charitable activity of The Annenberg Foundation.

THE HALLA GALA
Honorary Hosts, Susan and Leonard Nimoy

Saturday, October 31, 2009, 7-11pm
Come as your Secret Self to SMMoA’s Halloween Gala
An evening of fantasy, fashion, and fun
to benefit the Santa Monica Museum of Art

(...) A variety of ticket packages are available, ranging from $350-$25,000. Featured benefits include your ‘secret self’ immortalized in a private session with noted photographer Leonard Nimoy; a custom creation by acclaimed fashion designers—Brett Westfall/Unholy Matrimony/Commes des Garçons, Brian Lichtenberg, Edith Palm, Jenni Kayne, Pamela Barish, Scout, Society for Rational Dress, and The Row—to help craft your ‘secret self’ in style; limited-edition portrait prints: Butch by Barkley L. Hendricks and Lovely Six Foota by Mickalene Thomas; an invitation to SMMoA’s Vintage Clothing Cache, an exclusive emporium to dress your ‘secret self’. A premiere package includes luxury Halloween night accommodations at the Viceroy Santa Monica.

Selected works from Who Do You Think You Are?, Nimoy’s upcoming exhibition at MASS MoCA (opens July 31, 2010) will be on view, as will SMMoA’s current exhibition Allen Ruppersberg: You and Me or The Art of Give and Take. Artist Miriam Wosk will create the aesthetic for the evening with her fantastical and alluring installations, and DJ Eddie Ruscha will provide the sounds. The Halla Gala will be alive with an array of fascinating people who seek the most original, art-inspired Halloween. (...)

The Secret Self $5,000
2 gala tickets
1 limited-edition portrait print by Barkley L. Hendricks or Mickalene Thomas
1 photographic portrait of your secret self taken that evening by Leonard Nimoy (no more than 2 people in portrait; final print delivered following event)
Print, online, and onsite recognition
1 priority parking pass
Invitation to SMMoA`s Vintage Clothing Cache on Sunday, October 4, noon to 4 p.m. RESCHEDULED: Sunday, October 18, noon to 4 p.m. (costume cost not included in ticket price)

La Dolce Vita $10,000
4 gala tickets
2 limited-edition portrait prints, one each by Barkley L. Hendricks and Mickalene Thomas
1 photographic portrait of your secret self taken that evening by Leonard Nimoy (no more than 2 people in portrait; final print delivered following event)
Costume concept, design, and creation for 1 with a noted fashion designer; see list below
Prominent print, online, and onsite recognition
2 priority parking passes
Invitation to SMMoA`s Vintage Clothing Cache on Sunday, October 4, noon to 4 p.m. RESCHEDULED: Sunday, October 18, noon to 4 p.m. (costume cost not included in ticket price)

The Gardeners of Eden $25,000
10 gala tickets
2 limited-edition portrait prints, one each by Barkley L. Hendricks and Mickalene Thomas
1 photographic portrait of your secret self taken that evening by Leonard Nimoy (no more than 2 people in portrait; final print delivered following event)
Costume concept, design, and creation for 2 with two noted fashion designers; see list below
Luxury Halloween night accommodations at Viceroy Santa Monica (1 ocean view room)
Sponsorship recognition on 1 upcoming museum program

Source: Santa Monica Museum of Art

Writer Salman Rushdie gave the tribute to Kara Walker, while actor Catherine Keener spoke about Dave Eggers. The evening’s festivities also included an installation in the Museum courtyard by artist Jennifer Steinkamp. Los Angeles chef Suzanne Goin, of the acclaimed restaurants A.O.C. and Lucques, once again prepared the menu for the occasion, and Mitie Tucker produced the event. The Gala raises critical funds for Hammer exhibitions and programs, and last year’s sold-out Gala raised over $1.2 million towards this cause.

Guests included: JJ Abrams (director & producer), Jessica Alba & Cash Warren (actors), Chancellor Gene Block (UCLA), Eli Broad (philanthropist), Gia Coppola (actor), Dana Delany (actor), Linda Evangelista (model), Jane Fonda (actor), Jacqui Getty (designer), Mark Grotjahn (artist), Armie Hammer (actor), Jane Harman (Congresswoman - CA), Werner Herzog (director), Alan Horn (President, Warner Bros. Entertainment), Rashida Jones (actor), Jenni Kayne (designer), Barbara Kruger (artist), k.d. lang (musician), Michael Maltzan (architect), Will McCormack (actor), Ed Moses (artist), Leonard Nimoy (actor), Catherine Opie (artist), Max Palevsky (collector), Lari Pittman (artist), Paul Reiser (actor), Joe Roth (producer), Guinevere van Seenus (model), Chloe Sevigny (actor), Robert Shaye (producer), Darren Star (producer/screenwriter), Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor (actors), Jamie Tisch (socialite), and Michael York (actor).

Source: www.panacheprivee.com.

The Hammer's ever-growing "Gala in the Garden" event drew a sold-out crowd and raised $1.3 million for the museum's programs.

The Hammer Museum's seventh annual "Gala in the Garden" this weekend honored contemporary artist Kara Walker and writer Dave Eggers at a sold-out dinner for 535. Jennifer Wells Green, the museum's deputy director of advancement, and David Morehouse, senior manager of donor relations, oversaw the event, and Mitie Tucker produced it. Co-chairs were Ann Moss, Margie Perenchio, and Carole Bayer Sager, along with honorary co-chair Diane Keaton. The ever-growing gala raised $1.3 million—the most in its history—for Hammer exhibitions and programs, beating last year's take of $1.2 million, the previous record.

Hammer director Ann Philbin welcomed guests including Jane Fonda, Susan and Leonard Nimoy, Neil Patrick Harris, Dana Delany, Edythe and Eli Broad, and Jacqui Getty to the party, which began with open galleries as well as cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from chef Suzanne Goin of A.O.C. and Lucques, who once again prepared the gala's menu. Salman Rushdie gave the tribute to Walker, and actor Catherine Keener spoke about Eggers before the gala's traditionally diverse crowd of new and established artists, gallerists, patrons, and cultural and entertainment players.

Source: BizBash