Jeff Vespa
Jeff Vespa
Q & A
Beverly Hills has a robust outdoor art collection. Can you name a piece of art in Beverly Hills that has stuck in your mind? What is the name of the piece and where does it transport you?
In the mid 90’s there was a Botero sculpture show that always has stuck with me, I think it was at the Beverly Gardens Park. All of the round figures he plotted there to overlook the park, it felt wonderful. I also love the new Richard Serra sculpture, Twins. To me it has the ability to slice up and also unify the building behind it (City Hall), a powerful piece for sure.
On a side note when I first heard about the Beverly Hills public art ordinance it just made so much sense. Only a city that is truly enveloped in culture and dedicated to the continued addition of fine art would insist that major developers include a public art piece in their development. But it is things like this that allow Beverly Hills to continue to stand for what they do.
How does art enhance the luxury experience?
Art will enrich any space adding depth and meaning to walls and pedestals. It is a fantastic medium for spreading ideas and creating a general mood. It can help transform a space, and hold the visitor suspended, separated from the everyday and mundane. This is the same concept of luxury, transportation and expansion, and the two go very well paired together.
Tyler William Parker
“Luxury for me is deeply rooted in quality materials and craftsmanship.”
Vanessa Prager
George, oil on wood, 18x24” – from Prager’s 2015 “Dreamers” show at the Richard Heller Gallery in Santa Monica, California.
Tyler William Parker
Vanessa Prager is an L.A.-based artist currently working in thick, sculptural paintings.
Your collection of paintings titled, ‘Across the Universe’ was based on old photographs from the 1930s and ‘40s that you found from your grandmother’s collection, and inspired paintings that ‘felt caught between eras.’ Beverly Hills just celebrated its centennial celebrating a history of luxury. When you think of Beverly Hills, what characteristics does the city continue to uphold that showcases its iconic luxury and backstory?
Places like The Beverly Hills Hotel, Rodeo Drive, and the rows of tucked away mansions surrounded with blue skies and lined with palm trees are quintessential Beverly Hills to me. The old Hollywood starlet’s enclave is alive and well here. The city feels wide open yet tucked away, central to the city of Los Angeles, yet off the daily path, a destination to be sure, and despite whatever happens around it seems to maintain its own unique and timeless identity.
“So really, luxury is a necessity.”
Jeff Vespa
“Art will enrich any space adding depth and meaning to walls and pedestals,” says Prager on how art enhances the luxury experience.
As a Los Angeles native growing up near Beverly Hills, can you share a favorite go-to place in Beverly Hills?
Jeff Vespa
“Art will enrich any space adding depth and meaning to walls and pedestals,” says Prager on how art enhances the luxury experience.
The Beverly Hills Library is one of my favorite places to go. It’s a beautiful building and has an amazing collection. I love reading and collect books so this is a wonderful place to get lost for the afternoon. There is also an amazing children/teen section, which is great because I found my love for books at a pretty young age and think it’s super important to make books accessible and inviting to young people!
What is your definition of luxury?
Luxury for me is deeply rooted in quality materials and craftsmanship. There is a one of a kind element to it and personal care with attention to detail is key. Luxury isn’t necessarily out of reach for anyone, it doesn’t have to cost a certain amount of money to attain a luxury item or experience. But I would classify it as something that isn’t necessarily needed for base human survival, and in that sense not everyone seeks it out. I think the people who do see that enjoyment of life is also important to human survival, because it brings people happiness and in turn that brings about good health and spirits. Having nice things and a nice space around can greatly increase one’s purpose for living. Because we all know this is a wild and crazy world, in my opinion if you don’t weigh in with good to balance the bad one can be left with an overwhelming sense of apathy. But beauty and quality and substance is all around and in my opinion can make life so much more pleasant to live. So really, luxury is a necessity.