Denis Villeneuve and Artist Vija Celmins to Be Honored at LACMA’s Art+Film Gala

Denis Villeneuve attends the Gothams at New York's Cipriani Wall Street on Dec. 2, 2024. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

This fall’s edition of LACMA’s Art+Film Gala has a date and a pair of honorees.

The milestone 15th annual fundraiser will take place at the museum on Nov. 7, and will honor Vija Celmins from the art side and Dune visionary Denis Villeneuve for the film set.

“This year, we are honoring two icons of visual creativity,” praised LACMA CEO Michael Govan, who also serves as Wallis Annenberg director. “Whether in painting, drawing, printmaking or other media, Vija Celmin’s exacting renderings of the natural world blend realism and imagination, resulting in sublimely beautiful works. Likewise, Denis Villeneuve’s meticulously crafted worlds give his films an unforgettable visual impact, from contemplative and cerebral stories to global blockbusters. It will be a privilege to honor both of these artists and their extraordinary careers in November.”

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Added Chow: “I’m excited to bring together an amazing group of people once again to recognize the incredible work of Vija Celmins and Denis Villeneuve, and to support LACMA’s art and film initiatives. I’m deeply grateful that our longstanding partner Gucci has returned as presenting sponsor. This event would not be possible without their continued generosity to the museum.”

Gucci’s generosity is also on display on the red carpet, as many of the A-list guests who attend the museum are outfitted by the fashion house setting the stage for what is always a stylish night in Los Angeles. Proceeds from Art+Film are funneled to LACMA’s focus to make film central to the museum’s curatorial program while also supporting its broader mission with exhibitions, acquisitions, educational programming and more.

Vija Celmins Laurie Lambrecht

The shine for Villeneuve comes as he’s prepping for the release of the third installment of his blockbuster Dune franchise starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin and others. It comes out via Warner Bros. Pictures on Dec. 18. His other credits include Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, Enemy and Prisoners. He’s set to direct the anticipated next James Bond installment for Amazon MGM Studios.

Celmins is hailed for her work with natural imagery like ocean waves, desert floors and night skies. She paints, sculpts and draws, and has seen her work featured in exhibitions at major institutions like the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, San Franscisco Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Centre Pompidou in Paris and Menil Collection in Houston. She received a MacArthur Fellowship in 1997.