L.A.’s art world was rocked less than a year ago when the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) was on the brink of financial ruin, facing the sale of some its masterpieces. It is a completely different picture today. The Museum of Contemporary Art previewed its new exhibit, “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years.” A big exhibit celebrating big news: MOCA is out of the red. And on Sunday it will open a major exhibition of its collection, more than 500 pieces of art by 200 artists. Philanthropist and arts patron Eli Broad kicked in $30 million. The museum raised another $30 million to get out of the red. They brought in former UCLA chancellor Charles Young to run things. “No 30-year journey is without bumps,” said Broad. “Many of you, I’m sure, recall a year ago, MOCA had a financial crisis.” MOCA began in 1979 by acquiring one major collection, then adding to it. “This is a world-class institution, among the best anywhere in the world,” said L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. As big as this exhibit is, this is just a tenth of MOCA’s collection, which is showing its earlier pieces on South Grand Avenue, and work from 1980 to the present at its Geffen Contemporary space nearby. A shuttle takes visitors between the two. Even with two spaces, how did MOCA’s chief curator choose what to exhibit to celebrate its 30 years? “Quality; the unique vision of the institution; and to tell the history of post-war art from the standpoint of Los Angeles today,” said MOCA Chief Curator Paul Schimmel. The celebration continues with a gala Saturday night. A thousand arts patrons from around the world will be entertained by headliner Lady Gaga, backed by the Bolshoi Ballet. MOCA is not the only L.A. museum displaying contemporary art. Broad has his name on one at the L.A. County Museum. So where does his heart lie now? “It lies in Los Angeles; to make Los Angeles the contemporary art capital of the world,” said Broad. The exhibit will be on display through May.

Celebs aren’t the only ones able to celebrate MOCA’s 30th anniversary, LAist reports that admission to the museum will be FREE to the public all week long:

MOCA–the Museum of Contemporary Art–opened 30 years ago in Los Angeles. To celebrate the anniversary, the museum opens its largest installation tomorrow, featuring more than 500 works from more than 200 artists from its own permanent collection … The new exhibition features a comprehensive look at contemporary art history from the past 70 years, including pop art, abstract expressionism and photography. Highlighted artists and works include: Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1949 (1949); Willem de Kooning’s Two Women with Still Life (1952); Alberto Giacometti’s Tall Figure II and Tall Figure III (1960); Roy Lichtenstein’s Man with Folded Arms (1962); Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Six Crimee (1982) and Edward Ruscha’s Chocolate Room (1970-2004).

Amazing!! If you have not been to the MOCA and you live in the area, you must check out this exhibit. I’m hoping David and I can take advantage of this FREE offer sometime this week … the MOCA is a great museum. Congratulations on 30 years!!

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source, Source]

How would you like to answer the knock on your door Halloween night to find Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and the kids standing outside in full costume trick or treating?! That’s exactly what some families in the Los Angeles-area experienced Saturday night as Brangelina and their brood got into the spirit of the holiday and dressed in colorful costumes as these photos … Brad’s hilarious costume includes beads in his beard and his bright orange outfit made him stand out during the dark night. In our exclusive photos Angelina sports grey hair with blood on the site of her face – sorry, nice try to scare us, but you still look gorgeous! Zahara is dressed in a Batman costume and carrying her candy in a plastic pumpkin. Maddox, who loves toy guns, is dressed in camouflage and Shiloh also appears to be sporting the military theme. Brad drove the family into a neighborhood near the Hollywood Hills where they trick or treated. They did not have security with them. Some people on the street recognized the Brangelina crew and stared but all was well as the Pitt-Jolie clan had a blast.

I’m pretty sure Zahara was dressed as Batgirl and I understand that Brad Pitt was dressed as DJ Lance from Yo Gabba Gabba. Ange clearly thought that pouring a bag of flour on her head was costume enough. Altho Brangelina didn’t really go all out for their costumes (well, ok, Brad did put a lot of effort into his look) it’s so cool that they went trick-or-treating with their kids just like many other normal parents. Cute!!

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I understand that these photos were taken before the pics of Knox and Vivienne were but they are really cute nonetheless. It’s, like, a crime that Brangelina has so many adorable children! Shiloh in that hat … I’m dying. Zahara in those boots … DYING! Soooo cute! Ugh … they must really have the most perfect life. Couldn’t you just, well, die?

[Photo credit: X17]

Those eyes!! Those lips!!! There is *no* denying that Viv is Angelina’s daughter. She’s sooooo freakin’ cute!! Here is a photo of daddy Brad and Knox deciding which kind of ice cream they want to get:

OMG! They have the same profile, they are so cute. It’s clear that these babies are twins … they have the same chubby cheeks ;) As I said before, I’m so glad that Brangelina are finally bringin’ the twins out to say hello … we don’t get to see nearly enough of them.

[Photo credit: X17]

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stepped out for ice cream in Amman, Jordan – and brought along the littlest Jolie-Pitts, 14-month-old twins Knox and Vivienne. An eyewitness posted a photo on Twitter of the family at the Licky Licious ice cream shop. Pitt and Jolie have been in the Middle East to visit Iraqi refugees in Syria as part of Jolie’s work as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR.

Because the young twins are rarely seen in public there are rampant rumors that Brangelina are hiding them away from public sight because they are suffering from some birth defect or are hiding a special need. I don’t know for a fact that that is the case but I’m sure this photo will help fuel those rumors. Whatever the case may be, it’s really sweet to see Brangelina with the twins … they are so big already! I’m not sure if we’ll be seeing much of Knox and Vivienne out and about in the coming weeks/months but this little peek at them is a nice surprise.

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As you can see, Angelina purchased a little suction cup dart gun for her little man and kinda looks pregs in this dress. I’m pretty sure she’s not pregs but, well, the outfit does look suspicious. In the end, tho, it’s just Angelina and Maddox … just like it’s been from the start. These two go way back … it’s nice to see them out and about enjoying some alone time together.

[Photo credit: X17]

The tooth fairy is going to be busy in the Jolie-Pitt household, with two of Angelina and Brad’s children missing front teeth. Pax, 5, and Shiloh, 3, were spotted grinning gummily as they accompanied their mother Jolie and sister Zahara, 4, to a toy store in France. And with Shiloh seemingly dressed for battle … The little girl is young to already be losing her milk teeth but as she is turning into a tomboy, perhaps it’s not surprising. The couple’s eldest biological daughter seems to be mimicking dad Brad Pitt in a brown checked trilby on her blonde locks and with a sword tucked through her belt. She also wore a Peter Pan waistcoat with a special holster for the sword, combat trousers and boots. Zahara, however, has her mother’s style down perfectly, wearing a long purple skirt and white vest top with bright orange shoes. They were on their way to Toys ‘R Us in Toulon, France, for some new toys. All the children are said to be fluent in English but are reportedly learning to speak French. Oldest son Maddox was with Brad Pitt in New York, while twins Vivienne and Knox were presumably at home under the watchful eye of a nanny.

OMGSOCUTE! I am just amazed at how big these kids have grown! Seriously, wasn’t golden child Shiloh Nouvel just born like last week … and now she’s all old enough to be losing her teeth and dressing like a pirate? So cute. It’s been some time since we’ve seen the Brangelina kiddies out and about … I suppose they’ve been bizzy with school and whatnot. We rarely see the baby twins (who just turned 1 this past July 12) at all. No matter … it’s always a treat to see these kiddies out in public. They just keep getting cuter and cuter.

[Photo credit: X17; Source]

Angelina Jolie is never anything but slim and toned. But she looked impossibly slender as she joined partner Brad Pitt on the red carpet for the premiere of his new film Inglourious Basterds last night. The 34-year-old actress wore an unforgiving leather mini dress, which clung to her fragile frame as she stood alongside tanned and healthy-looking Brad. Angelina also showed off new additions to her tattoo collection – swirls around the existing body art on her arms. Last night was Brad and Angelina’s first public appearance since they walked the red carpet at Cannes in May. The couple, whose relationship has been the subject of repeated rumours in recent months, made a show of togetherness as they embraced on the red carpet. But while Angelina was greeting everyone with a large Hollywood smile, Brad looked less comfortable. Of course, it may well have been the stress of weeks of heavy promotional duties for his new movie, which have seen him repeatedly away from his family. While Brad was promoting the film Angelina remained at home with Maddox, 8, Pax, 5, Zahara, 4, Shiloh, 3, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 1. But, ever the professional, Brad patiently signed autographs for the huge crowds of fans waiting for him and Angelina. He then led the mother of his six children through the crowd by her arm, his teeth set as he negotiated the busy red carpet.

As you may already be well aware, Inglourious Basterds is the American-Hunting-Nazi film that was directed by Quentin Tarantino and opens in theaters on August 21. Hollywood is really having a field day with all that WWII era Nazi films these days so hopefully this one will be the last … at least for a while. To be honest, my interest level in this film was much higher when it was first announced last October but it has since waned in the past few months. I think the trailers that feature Brad Pitt speaking in that horrid Southern drawl is what has been turning me off. David has mentioned that he is very much interested in seeing this film so we’ll prolly end up seeing it after all. I can’t remember the last Brad Pitt movie that I liked … mebbe this will be the one.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

For World Breastfeeding Week, Phantom-Financial announces the unveiling of a life-size park bench sculpture of Angelina Jolie nude with her twin babies by New York artist Daniel Edwards just minutes from Brad Pitt’s own birthplace in the Oklahoma City Metro area in September before its Fall exhibition in London. “Landmark for Breastfeeding,” inspired by last year’s cover of W magazine featuring Angelina Jolie suckling her baby, depicts a seated nude Jolie double-breastfeeding twins. The tranquil bronze statue demonstrates the “football-hold,” an accepted technique for breastfeeding two babies simultaneously. In recognition of the global effort to encourage breastfeeding, one twin is depicted as being of African descent. Future castings of the statue will represent other world cultures through variations of the babies’ patina coloring. “We believe the statue sends a beautiful message by promoting the acceptance of public breastfeeding. Mothers should be encouraged to nurture their babies anywhere,” said Sandy Wilson of Phantom-Financial. “Hopefully, my sculpture inspires an increase of wetnurses to assist women who have concerns about mastitis, or passing HIV to their infant,” said artist Daniel Edwards in his Connecticut studio where the Jolie statue currently resides. “La Leche League International and Loretta McCallister have been very helpful,” said project coordinator Cory Allen. “We are applying for approval to put ‘Landmark for Breastfeeding’ on permanent display in a Metro area park.” The Jolie monument will be unveiled September 11th at MAINSITE Contemporary Art in Norman. A cast of the sculpture is expected to be auctioned by Sotheby’s October 7th for The New York Academy of Art’s annual Take Home A Nude art auction, after being displayed at Holster Projects in London’s West End.

Can I just say that I LOVE that this piece of art will go on display in Norman, OK … home of my beloved alma mater the University of Oklahoma! I’m not sure how the Okies will receive this new piece of art but … I’m glad they’re being exposed. Edwards really seems to have a knack for melding pop culture with controversy to come up with interesting artwork. IMHO, none of his works have yet surpassed his masterpiece statue of Britney giving birth, Monument to Pro-Life, but I can appreciate that he continues to push the envelope. After the jump, check out a couple more photos of this new Angelina-inspired statue and check out a short video of Daniel Edwards talking about the creation of his latest piece of art …

Presumably, Dad Pitt will remain at the homestead to care for the rest of the Brangelina brood while Angelina is off saving the world. Santa Angelina has already made her way to Baghdad, Iraq to do her good work. Here is a photo and some deets on Angelina’s visit to the affected region:

Angelina Jolie took a day trip onThursday to Baghdad. The actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador is there to speak out for aid on behalf the millions of Iraqis displaced within their own country and the 1.5 million more Iraqis displaced out of the country. This is her third visit to the country in recent years. On Tuesday afternoon Jolie and eldest son Maddox took off from LAX, where they were heading to the 24th annual Arab Children’s Congress in Amman, Jordan. The pair were reportedly going to be staying with Jolie’s friend Queen Noor.

You can read the full text of the UNHCR press release HERE. I’m always amazed at how much time and devotion Angelina puts toward her charity work. It makes ones head spin just thinking about all commitments Angelina keeps in her every day life … whether they be personal, professional or philanthropic, Angelina Jolie works hard, y’all! Kudos to her for her continued zeal to try and help heal the world.

[Photo credit: X17; Source]