Creative Circle

THE PARTY In honor of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s return to Los Angeles, the art crowd gathered in Culver City at Blum & Poe’s 22,000-square-foot gallery to check out the artist’s latest exhibit, Arhat. After getting a sneak peek at Murakami’s Buddhism-inspired collection of tall sculptures and bright murals, the group enjoyed an intimate dinner. THE PLAYERS Takashi Murakami, Flea, Lauren Taschen, Michael and Eva Chow, Renzo Rosso, Miranda July, Paul Schimmel, Maria Bell, Rhonda Sassoon, Viveca Paulin, Jeff Poe, Tim Blum THE HIGHLIGHTS A feast overseen by Animal chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo meant guests enjoyed dishes including crispy pig’s head served on Heath Ceramic plates as a Murakami-designed sculpture overlooked the wooden dining table. The party continued across the street at Mandrake Bar, where Murakami’s painting staff—flown in from Japan—waited to meet and greet a select few VIPs, including London-based designer Peter Pilotto. Photography by Stefanie Keenan