Vlasta Gary is a creative consultant and a photographer www.vlastagaryphoto.com. Over the past 10 years Vlasta has been involved in various projects including styling and producing for Vogue, Alexander McQueen, L’Officiel to name a few. She is a prominent blogger recently featured as one of Moscow’s Five Best Stylists in Tatler Russia. Vlasta also lectures at British High School of Art and Design (Moscow).
Your secret art venue when you seek peace and quiet
I am always hungry for the great visuals. It’s a never ending search for inspiration. When your mind is wide open it requires a lot of daily food for thought. Its like an athlete who can’t stop exercising the muscles otherwise he would be in pain.
So wherever in the world I am every time I have a moment I go to see some art. I like the Getty museum and LACMA a lot but the Broad is my favourite in LA. When in NY I go to the Whitney quite often, it’s also nice to chill at the high line when the weather is good. MoMA, Guggenheim, the Met are all the places I could call home. I also love visiting galleries. Few years ago good friend of mine started an art app, its very convenient I use it to spot galleries around. In Europe my faves are the Guggenheim Bilbao and LV foundation in Paris. Really enjoyed the Shchukin collection exhibition at the foundation last autumn. Stadel Museum in Frankfurt is quite incredible, also most museums in Zurich, Munich and Berlin.
The best food experience in an art space
Since I have spent most of 2016 in LA I would name Otium, the restaurant at the Broad museum. I went there with my friend Brent who is a big foodie when it was just opened for a week. Chef Timothy Hollingsworth is doing a good job reinventing what an American restaurant might be. And I like the way it is designed. Also check out INTRO Art Gallery and Chefs Table an innovative event space located in the up-and-coming NOHO Arts District. I have met Rob one of the owners on Raya and he invited us to come over. Imagine an art gallery exhibition where you dine at a 24-foot chef’s table, enjoy a specially-curated menu from Michelin-starred chef Paul Shoemaker, and drink fine wines while the featured artist reveals personal insights on the pieces displayed.
A museum gift shop that you never leave empty handed
It’s so hard to name just a few. I love museum gift shops in general and I am obsessed with art books cherry picking my library for over a decade now. I would highlight GARAGE museum shop, it’s the first place of that kind in Moscow and my Russian part is sort of being patriotic. I actually was very happy with 2 rare books I got last time I came over.
Your museum with a wow-factor
We’ve been shooting the project at artist Randy Polumbo’s lodge in Joshua Tree quite recently and I was mesmerized by his art pieces. The way he works with all those recycled materials transforming into shapes that speak to the landscape so perfectly literally blew my mind.
Please share with us a special personal memory related to a museum experience
Well it’s yet to come but so far it has been a day trip to Dia:Beacon with a very special companion.
