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historical notes
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Maurice Marciano, a co-founder of the fashion company Guess Jeans, started collecting art with his brother Paul in 1990. Initially exploring the world of Impressionist art, they soon realized that owning a substantial collection would be a challenge due to the rarity and expense of such works. Consequently, they transitioned to collecting contemporary art, amassing around 1,500 pieces by a diverse array of artists, from celebrated names like Takashi Murakami, Olafur Eliasson, and Ai Weiwei to emerging talents, such as Thomas Houseago and Allora & Calzadilla. One notable addition in 2019 was a vibrant mural by Swiss painter Nicolas Party, “Trees.”
In 2013, Maurice and Paul Marciano took a bold step in the art world by acquiring a former Masonic temple on Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, to create the Marciano Art Foundation, a museum dedicated to showcasing their collection. Transforming the space to accommodate their large-scale artworks required significant renovations, resulting in a 13,000-square-foot exhibition area with towering 40-foot-high ceilings. Despite the museum's initial success, it faced controversy in 2019 due to labor disputes and ultimately closed its doors. It reopened in 2022, under the direction of Larry Gagosian. |
