An Insider’s Guide to Frieze Los Angeles by Giampiero Tagliaferri
The interiors virtuoso shares where to stay, eat, and find inspiration during the city's vibrant Art Week and beyond
For Los Angeles and Milan-based Giampiero Tagliaferri, the City of Angels provides creative inspiration at every turn—and even more so during the vibrant week of Frieze Los Angeles, which this year runs February 26 through March 1. His eponymous architecture and interior design practice is rooted in fine craftsmanship and collectible furnishings that are found throughout his second home city. Here, he shares just a few highlights for an insider L.A. art week.
What makes the art and design scene in L.A. so unique now?
The creative energy here is very special in large part because the city is so spread out. From downtown Los Angeles to Los Feliz to Beverly Hills to Malibu, the area is so vast, and people really open their homes and spaces for others to experience the art in different ways. There is a real sensibility of sharing here—from architecture to interior design to art—so the creative community really comes together in a residential versus traditionally institutional way.
For Frieze visitors, what are some highlights that are not to be missed?
There are so many openings and exhibitions this week, and I really recommend that visitors focus on L.A.-based galleries. The Wolfgang Tillmans show at Regen Projects is outstanding, as is the Odili Donald Odita show at David Kordansky Gallery. One of my favorites is a small Japanese gallery called Nonaka-Hill that’s set in an old dry cleaner. They specialize in exquisite ceramics, sculpture, and painting. And Pace Gallery always has interesting exhibitions, including sculpture by artist Arlene Shechet, now on view.
The iconic Schindler House in West Hollywood always has interesting activations during Frieze, and the Eames House in the Pacific Palisades is a must for lovers of architecture and design. Also of note are the Neutra residence in Silver Lake and Hollyhock House by Frank Lloyd Wright, which is LA’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are so many museums, too, with The Hammer and The Broad in DTLA among the standouts. Everyone is excited about the Peter Zumthor-designed building that’s set to debut at LACMA this spring, as well as the forthcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. A bit further afield, in Pasadena, I recommend the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, which offer a stunning change of scene.
In terms of hotels, where do you send friends across the city?
For old-world Hollywood glamour, the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air are incredible, for architecture (Paul Williams designed the Beverly Hills Hotel’s historic spaces, including the beloved Fountain Coffee Shop) and art world people-watching. The Chateau Marmont remains an epicenter of cool, as does The Sunset Tower, where the Tower Bar always draws an A-list crowd, and the food is excellent.
For clean lines and minimalist spaces in Hollywood, I like The Edition, while The Santa Monica Proper provides easy access to Frieze at the Santa Monica Airport. Further away, but worth the drive, is Nobu Hotel Ryokan right on Malibu’s Carbon Beach. It is really secluded and special and even if you don’t stay, it is a wonderful place to have dinner overlooking the water.
In terms of restaurants, what are a few of your favorites and why?
I live on the east side, so I tend to dine at Saffy’s, where I love the Middle Eastern cuisine, and also at Barr Seco in Silver Lake, which is part wine bar, but also has great food—including an outstanding burger. For a classic, I recommend Musso & Frank for the old-world feel and steaks, and the Chateau Marmont is a classic, too. For hole-in-the-wall sushi, which is a must in L.A., Sushi Park on Sunset Boulevard is excellent. It’s located on the second floor, and you really have to look for it, but the omakase is exceptional, and the crowd is great, too.
In Venice, nearer to Frieze, there is Gjelina, which serves New American cuisine in a lively setting and its offshoot Gjusta is just as good, but more for breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
For a day excursion or outing, are there any destinations that are worth the drive?
Palm Springs is a mecca for modernism, and it’s just two hours away. The Frey House II and the Palm Springs Art Museum are both interesting and then you have Joshua Tree, which is just an hour away. The nature there is unlike anywhere else. Santa Barbara and Montecito are other nice destinations, as is Ojai, which is just an hour and a half from L.A. The newly designed Hotel El Roblar by Ramin Shamshiri is a boutique property in the old Spanish style that’s right in the heart of town—it’s really special, and the whole area has a very relaxed, low-key vibe.
What makes Frieze L.A. different from other art and design fairs?
There is a more casual feeling here, and that carries over to the way people interact with art. Everything is less intense! At other fairs, such as Salone del Mobile, everyone is running around from one event to the other, and the schedules are just packed. Here, there is a focus on the outside and open spaces, and that helps things feel less chaotic.
In general, L.A. is very welcoming and inclusive of new people, new ideas—and especially artists. More space attracts artists, which in turn attracts galleries and clients. It’s its own creative ecosystem, very different from what you’ll find in London, Basel, and Berlin, where the rules and norms are more established.