Stars Suffer For Their Art
LBrennan
By SHARON KRUM
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THE world's hottest sex symbol walked into a trendy Los Angeles art
gallery recently and barely an eyebrow was raised. Nobody blinked. Why
would anybody? Of course, Leonardo DiCaprio was looking at art.
After all, he's young, wealthy and drips celebrity - the perfect
profile of America's new breed of art collector.
"I believe a lot of Hollywood actors, directors and writers see
themselves as part of the creative process, and buying art is an
extension of who they are," said Abigail Asher, a New York art
consultant.
"There has always been a tradition of collecting in Hollywood. But
young Hollywood stars buying? That is new."
DiCaprio is reported to be spending some of his "Titanic" income on
the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Madonna, who once said she began an
art collection "as soon as I had the bread," buys Frida Kahlo.
Demi Moore has shelled out a portion of her "Striptease" millions for
antique dolls. Matt Dillon recently commissioned a portrait of himself
by London artist Emma Woollard.
And Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt collects - are you ready? - Tiffany lamps
and windows.
"I can't justify spending 20 grand on a truck," he once said. "But a
Tiffany stained-glass window - if I could get one for 20 grand, I
could completely justify that."
In Tinseltown today, buying art is where it's at. It's intellectual,
sexy, cool and profitable.
Monte Plott, editorial director of Art and Antiques magazine, said
young celebrities are now crazy for art because, apart from being an
investment, a masterpiece in your collection can confer smarts and
status on people who work in an increasingly superficial world.
"Art is a highbrow thing," Plott said. "There is a cachet that comes
with collecting and I am sure some celebrities might try to purchase
that cachet.
"But I also believe most are genuine in their appreciation of art, and
do become quite astute at what they are collecting."
In the most recent Art and Antiques listing of the 100 top collectors
in America, Dennis Hopper (David Salle and Julian Schnabel),
DreamWorks SKG co-founder David Geffen (David Hockney, Jasper Johns,
pop art), Richard Gere (photographs by Joel-Peter Witkin, Tina
Modotti), Madonna (Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leger, Kahlo), Moore
(dolls), Jack Nicholson (Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt) and Steve Martin
(Picasso, Franz Kline, Hockney) all made the cut.
Other celebs include Oprah Winfrey, who has been known to collect
sculpture; director Steven Spielberg, who prizes Norman Rockwell;
Harrison Ford, passionate for impressionists Edouard Vuillard and
Pierre Bonnard; and Sylvester Stallone, who buys old masters.
Rocker David Bowie stocks up on modern British art, while Rod Stewart
just paid $141,000 at Sotheby's auction house for a 16th-century
Madonna and Child.
But art consultant Asher, who counts Annette Bening among her clients,
said that whether collectors are from Hollywood's old guard, like
Martin, or the new breed, like DiCaprio, they usually employ advisers
to help them build collections, and they buy through dealers to avoid
publicity.
One of Madonna's advisers, Darlene Lutz, bids by telephone at auctions
so that the public will not know what she is buying for her clients.
So, what's hot among Hollywood's new millionaires? Paintings by
Basquiat, which cost up to $650,000, say dealers. (DiCaprio is getting
good advice.)
Also hot: Abstract painting. Photography. Winona Ryder was reported
recently to have spent $20,000 on vintage photographs.
"It's very hip to collect photography, because it is so seductive and
not outrageously expensive," said Los Angeles art consultant Karyn
Lovegrove, owner of the Karyn Lovegrove Gallery.
"The artists to collect right now include photographer Sharon Lockhart
and colorfield painters Ingrid Calame and Laura Owens," she said. "And
Cindy Sherman is still hot."
Lovegrove said recent sightings of Matt Dillon, Cameron Diaz, Nicolas
Cage and Jim Carrey at Los Angeles galleries were not out of the
ordinary.
"There is a new generation of actors with disposable income which they
often come to very rapidly, so rather than spend it on a BMW or a
house, they invest in art," Lovegrove said.
Pair that, she said, with a new crop of younger dealers in both New
York and L.A. who allow baby celebrities to feel comfortable talking
art, and you have a deal.
But Hollywood is a fickle town. Just how long does Lovegrove think the
love affair between Leonardo, Brad, Madonna and their masterpieces
will last?
She predicted a lasting marriage.
"A lot of celebrities are becoming really art smart. Nicolas Cage is
seen wandering through L.A. galleries often. Madonna has a real
passion for art," Lovegrove said.
"What is interesting is to see how quickly they immerse themselves in
collecting," she added. "They start off buying one or two pieces and,
before long, they are obsessed."
MCD LANCER
>Leonardo DiCaprio
>Demi Moore
>Madonna
>Matt Dillon
>Brad Pitt
The phrase?
>Art is a highbrow thing,"
Regards,
Mary Beth
"There's a fine line between HOBBY and MENTAL ILLNESS"
~*~ Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat
you with experience. ~*~