MOCA Board of Trustees Names Phillipe Vergne As Museum Director
Following a worldwide search led by a 14-member committee, The Board of Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) announced earlier that it has voted unanimously to appoint Philippe Vergne as the museum’s director. Vergne succeeds Jeffrey Deitch, who resigned from MOCA on September 1, 2013.
About MOCA
MOCA is the only independent, artist-founded museum in Los Angeles dedicated solely to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art and has one of the most important collections of contemporary art in the world now comprising more than 6800 objects, a history of diverse, ground-breaking and scholarly exhibitions, many of which have traveled internationally, three Los Angeles locations of architectural renown, and a stronger financial base than ever before in its history.
About Phillipe Vergne
Mr. Vergne, who most recently served for five years as director of the Dia Art Foundation, New York, has built an international reputation as a successful and committed museum leader with a deep knowledge of contemporary art, a respected curatorial vision, close relationships with artists and the international contemporary art community and strong fundraising skills. Prior to leading the Dia Foundation, Mr. Vergne held leadership roles as Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where he worked for over a decade organizing over twenty five international exhibitions as well as artist residencies and the Herzog & de Meuron facility expansion; as Director of the Francois Pinault Foundation in Paris; and as Director of the Musee d’art Contemporain (MAC) in Marseille, France.
“I am honored to be joining MOCA. I have admired its collection and programs throughout my career and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this great institution into its next phase and to return to Los Angeles with my family to my wife’s native city. From Michael Heizer to Mike Kelley, MOCA has changed the way I perceive and understand art. I am extremely grateful for the experiences and support that Dia has provided me with, and with pride I will look forward to its great successes,” said MOCA Director Philippe Vergne.
“Our Los Angeles community of artists is indeed fortunate to welcome Philippe Vergne as MOCA’s directorial leader. His vision and enthusiasm cements the integrity of the artistic shared experience with artistic creators hungry for this high standard. MOCA’s Board and search committee has responded to the artists voice in this appointment. We all look forward to a very exciting and invigorated activation of new MOCA presentations,”
states award winning artist Caryl M. Christian Levy.
“Philippe Vergne is a world class museum leader and we are so thrilled to welcome him to Los Angeles. Philippe brings a strong international perspective and curatorial record to MOCA, which is vital to us continuing as one of the most important contemporary art museums today. We are celebrating his decision to join us,” said MOCA Board Co-Chair Lilly Tartikoff Karatz.
Added MOCA Board Co-Chair Maurice Marciano, “I am very excited that Philippe will join MOCA as its Director. I love his passion for contemporary art and he has a great vision for the future. Also, he is loved by all the artists he has worked with. With the successful completion of MOCA’s endowment campaign and Philippe as its Director, we are embarking on a new, great chapter for MOCA as the leading, international museum of contemporary art.”
“I am personally thrilled as an artist that our next director of MOCA will be Philippe Vergne….” said Catherine Opie.
In Other Major Art News in Los Angeles, fine artist Caryl M. Christian Levy will be returning from Venice this month to host her solo art show at the Fine Arts Building in downtown Los Angeles, just steps from MOCA.
As cited on her official website, Caryl states, “As an artist, my painting and studio work comes from a Midwestern influence during the late 60’s and early 70’s. Most of us working during this decade saw the shift in object to process, the impact upon my studio art manifests in current installations created with my long time art collaborator and husband, John Levy. These monumental installations touch every aspect of my art and performance music background in addition to combining my tendency towards collaborative projects.”
Fine Arts Building to Host Fine Artist Caryl M. Christian Levy Solo Show
USC Roski School of Fine Arts Professor Ruth Weisberg fondly states, “We are the fortunate viewers of Caryl Christian Levy’s work which shimmers with half hidden and layered sources of inspiration.” News Blaze states of the artist, “Caryl makes beautiful work. She is very talented.” Los Angeles’ own “Downtown News” Publisher Sue Laris states of Caryl’s work, “I love the art!” The show is expected to be an extraordinary representation of one of Los Angeles’ most gifted contemporary fine artists. MOCA Director Phillipe Vergne is invited to attend through the public relations division of the artist.
The Fine Arts Building In Downtown Los Angeles
The Fine Arts Building is proud to sponsor Caryl M. Christian Levy, Monotypes: The Vestment Series, which shall be complemented with live jazz, and a gourmet buffet.
As recently reported, the following are the details for the show:
Who: Caryl M. Christian Levy
What: Art Meets Architecture: Caryl M. Christian Levy, Monotypes: The Vestment Series, Solo Exhibition
When: The Artist Opening is March 13, from 6 to 8pm. The Exhibition runs through April 4, 2014
Where: The Fine Arts Building, 811 W. 7th Street, The Grand Lobby, Los Angeles, California, 90017
Invited guests included billionaire art leader Eli Broad (Broad Museum), former MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch, current MOCA director Phillipe Vergne, numerous celebrities, news wires, and other National Media.
VIP Guest list, RSVP: 310-226-7176
For more information about Caryl M. Christian Levy, and to view her work, visit:
CMCFINEARTS.US.
For press or interview requests of the artist, contact the public relations office at telephone/fax: 310-226-7176
