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]

While it’s plainly obvs that Gavin party-pooped out by NOT wearing a costume, Gwen’s costume (Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl from Toy Story 2) is cute enough for the both of them … if you add the little lizard brothers, well, cuteness abounds. I’m so bummed that Hallowe’en is already over this year … pics as cute as this make me wish Hallowe’en was at least a week long :)

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

We haven’t been able to see much of the Stefani-Rossdales here on the blog lately … mainly because Gwen was touring with No Doubt for much of the Summer. I believe her family was on the road with her but that left no time for them to just relax and play on the weekends. It’s crazy that little Zuma Nesta is already 1 years old! It seems like the cute little guy was just born and now he’s already 1. To be honest, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Gwen and Gavin decided to have another child soon … I bet she is desperate for a girl. Whatever the case may be, it’s hard to imagine this little family getting more perfect … but I’m sure they’ll do it.

[Photo credit: X17]

It’s been really dang hot here in SoCal in the past few days (temps have exceeded 100°F in many parts of the area) so it would make sense that the family would want to spend as much time as possible at the beach. While I would encourage that the little tykes wear some kind of head covering in all that sun, I’m certain they have been swathed in überprotective sunscreen. I’m curious to see how long this little family stays a foursome … cuz I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they began working on their next addition to the family.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

On being a mother: “It’s one thing when you have an infant, but when you have this two-or three-year-old going, ‘Mommy, what’s the deal?’ it’s harder. Kingston’s whole thing is, ‘I need, I need.’ He is insane right now. We’re just hoping for the best and that he’s not going to turn out to be a freak, but we’ll see.”

On how her priorities changed from band to family: “I wasn’t even married. Now I’m a wife and a mother of two. It’s a really different role. I always referred to No Doubt as a marriage, because that’s what it’s like to be together for so long and go through what we’ve been through. I can’t really have that relationship with them anymore. My priorities are always going to be my husband and my family now. That’s a huge, huge thing.”

Gwen really does keep things pretty normal … she goes out with her family, she does her thing, she lives her life. She is one of those very famous celebs that never seems to court attention and, yet, she never shies away from it when she gets it. I think it’s been pretty cool watching her mature into the woman she’s become. I remember when I first heard about No Doubt all those years ago … and seeing her now as a wife and a mother of 2, it’s pretty damn awesome that she’s managed to stay pretty much the same down chick she’s always been. After the jump, check out a photo of Gwen with her littlest child Zuma Nesta from her Elle mag photoshoot …

OMG … they are so cute together. I can’t wait to see more photos from Gwen’s Elle shoot … in the meantime, click HERE to check out a behind the scenes video from Gwen’s photoshoot.

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I understand that Gwen sipped cocktails with director Sophie Mueller (who she’s worked with on music videos before) while little Kingston danced thruout the show in his seat … and in his mommy’s lap. It looks as if the whole gang had themselves a great time. LOVE is one of the Cirque shows that I’ve yet to see … I hear it’s fantastic. I wonder if there will be any more No Doubt sightings this week leading up to the show on Friday.

[Photo credit: Ana Dobrijevic]

Aww … looks like good, clean family fun for all. I’m constantly impressed with how well Gwen handles the pitfalls of her fame even while she is juggling her role as mother and protector. She never seems to shy away from providing as normal a home life for her children as she can even tho she is constantly under the watchful eye of the public. She handles her celebrity with grace, it’s very commendable. It’s nice to see that her family was able to get in some Easter fun with her family this weekend. It really looks like Zuma’s first Easter was a great one.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

But, alas, the outing wasn’t all fun for little Kingston James. According to TMZ, he had a run-in with a “known local bully” who proceeded to start an altercation with little Kingston and put a damper on the day’s fun. After the jump, check out a photo of the kiddies roughhousing together …

Sadly, it looks like Kingston was on the receiving end of more of the roughhousing than the other kid was:

Gwen Stefani’s son Kingston had his perfect little life shattered yesterday in a Bev Hills park, when a known local bully pulled out a can of whoopass!

OUCH! Clearly, having famous folks doesn’t mean diddly-squat when it comes to playground disagreements. Hopefully Kingston managed to get in a couple of licks against the other kid … tho, my guess is that he prolly did not. Ah well … I’m pretty sure that Kingston James will exact his revenge when the other kid (or his parents) are lookin’ to score choice seats for the upcoming No Doubt Summer tour. I’m thinkin’ nosebleed seats with an obscured view … how’s that for having the last laugh?

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

I gotta say … I was very bummed to see that Madonna showed up at the VF party sans her much younger beau Jesus Luz. I was really hoping she and her boytoy would walk the red carpet together and set the gossips afire with her brazen brash & sassiness. Boo. On the plus side, tho, Jennifer Aniston was happy to cozy up to her beau John Mayer for the cameras … tho, the couple did not make a scene on the red carpet in full view of all of the cameras … they saved their canoodling for inside the shindig. While many folks make the rounds on Oscar night and hit up as many parties as they can, the folks who get an invite to the Vanity Fair party make sure to make an appearance and some end up staying all night long … it’s that good. I’m sure a great time was had by all … now that we’ve got the 81st Academy Awards in the can, I’m sure many folks were rearin’ to get to the celebratin’ (or the drownin’ ones sorrows in free booze … like Brangelina). See, there really ain’t no bizznazz like showbiz.

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Considering how much of a fashionista Gwen Stefani is, I wouldn’t be surprised if the family made a short pit stop in NYC to partake of the NY Fashion Week activities going on there this week. I’m not sure if her L.A.M.B. fashion line is showing or not but I’m sure there are many other things going on this week for her to enjoy. I just really love this family … everything about them. I cannot wait to see where they show up next.

[Photo credit: Splash News]