Artistic Types Attend Exhibit Kickoff

Center Club chef Ed Mitchell cooked up an artistic menu for the 275 guests who attended Sunday night’s kickoff party for the Newport Harbor Art Museum’s exhibit, “Both Art and Life: Gemini at 25.”

The spotlight was on Gemini Graphic Editions Limited of Los Angeles--creator of limited edition artworks.

Up for sampling at the Center Club were Asian specialties such as marinated ahi, pan-fried catfish, lobster and black sesame toasts and five-spice duck. Guests who preferred Italian fare heaped their plates with grilled lamb chops and marinated veggies. A Southwestern food-stop featured Texas antelope and venison quesadillas.

Guest of honor at the posh-nosh was American artist Robert Rauschenberg. (Rauschenberg gained artistic prominence in the ‘60s when he rebelled against the seriousness of Abstract Expressionism by using popular and “junk” imagery in his collages and assemblages. One of his works incorporated a real bed, another a stuffed goat wearing a tie.) Other artists at the event included Judy Chicago, Guy Dill and Kenneth Price.

Oscar and Alison Baker Frenzel and Carl and Pat Neisser are sponsors of the exhibit, on display at the museum through Nov. 29.

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A Sly move: New York fashion diva Donna Karan gave a “cold shoulder” to the fashionable crowd gathered at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills last week to raise funds for AIDS research. We’re not talking icy demeanor. We’re talking both shoulders bared in a figure-hugging black jersey halter top.

“Donna loves showing the shoulder--we call it the ‘cold-shoulder’ look,’ “--said a stylish-looking rep for Karan, the designer whose ultra-chic threads are worn by Candice Bergen, Liza Minnelli, Goldie Hawn and Barbra Streisand. “Donna says it’s the only place on a woman that never shows a weight gain. Women always have lovely shoulders.”

Locals on hand for the Donna Karan fashion show ogled by stars such as Sly Stallone (keeping a watchful eye on his model/squeeze, Jennifer Flavin) were Billur Wallerich and Carol Horowitz, public relations director and general manager respectively for Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach.

“Neiman Marcus plans to become headquarters for Donna Karan,” said Wallerich. “We’re going to carry it all.”

Before show time, a few guests spotted customer Farrah Fawcett--sans makeup--shopping for shoes with a friend. “My, she’s even beautiful without lipstick,” said a passerby. Wouldn’t you know.

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Etc. Outgoing Orange County protocol chief Mary Jones was honored at a luncheon staged by the board of directors of the Protocol Foundation of Orange County on Sunday at the Disneyland Hotel. Gayle Anderson made her debut as chief of protocol at El Adobe restaurant in San Juan Capistrano last week when she welcomed guest of honor Censu Tabone, president of Malta, to Orange County. . . .

The Orange County Philharmonic Society kicked off its 39th season last week with a bash held poolside at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach. Appearing before symphony buffs was a wild looking “Ludwig van Beethoven” a.k.a., South Coast Repertory actor John Ellington. Steven Lupinacci and Judith Jelinek co-chaired the event. . . .

Restaurateurs Gustaf Magnuson and Anders Strandberg--owners of Gustaf Anders restaurant at South Coast Plaza Village--will be among the guests at a luncheon today at the Sheraton Grand in Los Angeles for His Majesty, Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden. Renee and Henry Segerstrom also plan to attend.