Murakami's Culture Shock

Those who scoff at L.A.'s lack of culture should have seen the turnout at the MOCA on Sunday for the Murakami opening. The swank gala was packed with familiar faces from all spectrums of the art world. In the realm of fashion, there was the evening's honoree Marc Jacobs who collaborated with Murakami on the latest designs for Louis Vuitton (the fashion house now has a shop in the exhibition). In the world of music, Kanye West performed a five song set that had the artsy crowd ever so slightly shaking their hips. Brian Grazer was on hand to represent Hollywood's power players while Serena Williams brought a touch of the sports world. And sure, cynics may suggest that guests were merely there to see West's performance, gawk at the celebrities — Ellen DeGeneres, Portia DeRossi, Christina Ricci, Rachel Griffiths — and indulge in the free flowing champagne, but we prefer to think they were there for the art.  And if not, well at least they now know how to get to the MOCA. (M. McNiece)