Eye Candy

THE PARTY
Iconic was an understatement at MCASD’s opening night of Ed Ruscha Then and Now: Paintings from the 1960s and 2000s. The retrospective celebrates the beloved West Coast pop artist and builds on the museum’s enduring relationship, as its private collection holds 30 Ruscha masterpieces. Also on display: Álvaro Blancarte’s Marking the Present exploring Baja California’s topographical splendor.

THE GUESTS
The evening was brimming with the art-scene A-listers. World-renowned collectors Matthew and Iris Strauss joined longtime MCASD supporters Irwin and Joan Jacobs along with artists Robert Irwin, Francesca Gabbiani and Raul Guerrero.

THE HIGHLIGHTS
Matt Smith’s Neu Jazz Trio provided the soundtrack, while museum trustees and friends of Ruscha and Blancarte enjoyed a private, intimate dinner. Meanwhile, MCASD’s X Store sold out of Ruscha’s limited-edition catalog. Fret not: Restock is en route! -Photography by Stacy Keck