Patrons and supporters of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles arrived at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on Saturday evening, May 30, 2015, to honor John Baldessari at the annual star-studded gala. 770 international guests from the worlds of art, design, architecture, fashion, film, and music attended this splendid evening presented by Louis Vuitton. Gala Co-Chair and Board Co-Chair Lilly Tartikoff Karatz said “It is their passion for art and their commitment to MOCA in the past and especially this evening that makes our partnership so meaningful and so important” about their partnership with Louis Vuitton. The Gala honored John Baldessari, who is best known for mixing photographs and paint in his artwork, that raises questions about the nature of communication.

Guests such as Patricia Arquette, Shepard Fairey, Gia Coppola, and Dita Von Teese walked down the red carpet to begin the evening with a reception with the William Pope.L: Trinket exhibition. After the reception and preview, gala guests proceeded through a modern, bronze-floored entrance to a white-draped gala tent filled with under lit glass tables. MOCA Board Co-Chair and Gala Chair Lilly Tartikoff Karatz welcomed guests, thanking her co-chair Maurice Marciano for making the gala possible, the museum’s Board for their remarkable commitment to raise MOCA’s endowment and preserve its independence, and Louis Vuitton for their long-standing partnership and support for MOCA and for the arts. The evening continued with a delicious dinner in the gala-tent inspired by John Baldessari. As dessert was served, special guest performer Janelle Monáe took to the stage. The Atlanta-based artist brought the house down with her unique psychedelic-soul and R&B sound. It was a successful evening to say the least, the gala raised an astounding 3 million dollars to support the museum’s operations.