Cars and Stars at Morrison Hotel Gallery

article and posted photo gallery by John Grafman

Arguably, the Hollywood celebrity culture is one of the major influences that drives our tastes in fashions, music, art, and even cars. This is the essence of cool.

One would be hard pressed to find a more dramatic opportunity to become engulfed in the mystic than the exhibition taking place in West Hollywood at Morrison Hotel Gallery. This is within the famed Sunset Marquis Hotel, and opens to the public on on August 12-21, 2016.

In the gallery proper will be the Cars and Stars exhibit. Cars are often used by photographers as props, as shiny and colorful structural objects for their subjects to play and pose with. The Cars and Stars exhibit features some of fine art photography’s consummate practitioners, documenting the biggest icons in music alongside some sweet rides.

Of course, those lucky enough to call Southern California home can catch a glimpse of our favorite rocker or movie star every now and again, but this collection spans decades and capture more than a moment in time, these capture history.

photo: Billy Gibbons by Ross Halfin

Select Cars and Stars photographers include Timothy White, Bob Gruen, Gered Mankowitz, Baron Wolman, Frank Stefanko, Henry Diltz, Terry O’Neill, Mick Rock, Elliot Landy, and Charles Trainor, among many others. Stars anthologized here include Elvis Presley, Brad Pitt, Frank Sinatra, Keith Richards, Miles Davis, the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young, among others.

Images in the exhibit range from iconic to irreverent. Witness Frank Sinatra behind the wheel of a curvy 1950s era Cadillac exuding elegant cool. Dig on Elvis posing proudly with a newly purchased mint Continental Mark II. Check out Keith Richards leaning on his Bentley with bad boy nonchalance. Spy on the Beatles in their 1960s four-button suit finery packed into a limo with their guitars on full display, poking out into the frame. And savor the gleefully snarling stance of punk band Bad Religion as they hurl a rock at through a passenger side car window.

photo: Keith Richards by Henry Diltz

But, this is Hollywood, err, West Hollywood! In this town, opening night is always a cause for celebration. Timothy White, Co-Owner and curator of Morrison Hotel Gallery, and company do not disappoint. Mr. White explains, “As part of one of the assets at the (Sunset Marquis) Hotel, we do these events that go a little beyond the exhibition of the photographs that we put together each month. And instead, we include a screening (with outdoor video projection on the side of the building) and music, and it turns it into a party”.

Having co-hosts like Jonny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), and Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) doesn’t hurt. A couple of the other notables in attendance include Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and Rodney Bingenheimer (of KROQ radio fame).

photo: Johnny Galecki by John Grafman

And, the idea behind Cars And Stars is no accident. Timothy continues, “I have such an eclectic taste. Personally, I have a ’53 Hudson, a ’69 Aston Martin, and that’s about as far apart as you can possibly get. I like 40’s Cadillacs a lot. So, I’m all over the board. I love cars and motorcycles; I’m riding all the time, everyday. I always take a different car out on the weekends. It’s part of my life! I try to keep it exciting”.

With hundreds of images at the Gallery, and thousands online, there is no doubt that Morrison Hotel Gallery is well-worth checking into!

photo: Rodney Bingenheimer and guest by John Grafman

About Morrison Hotel® Gallery

Morrison Hotel® Gallery (MHG) was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Peter Blachley, music retail industry professional Richard Horowitz, and legendary music photographer Henry Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching an additional West Coast gallery at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. The partners just launched a new location at Mick Fleetwood’s General Store in Maui, Hawaii.

MHG is the world’s leading brand in fine art music photography representing over 100 of the world’s finest music photographers and their archives. Their vast catalog of photography encompasses jazz, blues, and rock imagery spanning several generations through to today’s contemporary music artists and now includes iconic photographs in the world of sports as well. MHG has a robust online presence, featuring over 100,000 images searchable by photographer, music artist, band or concert.

www.morrisonhotelgallery.com