Suzanne Muchnic profiles J.Ben Bourgeois who does the museum galas that are most talked about, including the upcoming Resnick Pavillion opening for LACMA. Here we find out that Bougeois isn’t just in the art museum party planning business for the money:
But much of Bourgeois’ exhibition space is devoted to contemporary art from his collection. An abstract painting by James Hayward, an installation of translucent drinking straws by Tara Donovan and a five-panel screen by Ed Ruscha with the phrase “I remembered to forget to remember” floating across a red and yellow sky are in the conference room. Photographs, paintings and sculptures by other artists pop up in every available spot in offices, hallways and bathrooms.
“Art relates to everything I do,” Bourgeois says. “It inspires me, especially the Minimalist stuff that makes something out of nothing.”
Bourgeois debuted at LACMA in 2008 with the opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum. Now he’s gearing up for the Sept. 25 gala. And once again, he’s working with Jane Nathanson, a LACMA trustee who chaired the BCAM gala and heads the 11-member host committee for the affair honoring the Resnicks, who funded the $54-million building that bears their names.
Event Planner J. Bourgeois Creates Wow Moments (Los Angeles Times)
