the BEAT of the week: Weegee's 'Naked Hollywood' at MOCA.

The photographer known as Weegee (real name Arthur Felling) became famous for his stark and unflinchingly realistic pictures of crime scenes in New York. But in 1947, he moved to Los Angeles, and he didn't spare our fair city from his lens. Out came photos of Hollywood stars, strippers, costume shops and naked mannequins, in a style that could only be described as 'naked.'
"Naked Hollywood: Weegee in Los Angeles" is the first museum exhibition devoted to the work the photographer produced in Southern California. It tells the story not only of a photographer who worked diligently to portray an unashamed world, but also of that of the strange, strange world itself -- Los Angeles. You might be surprised to see what Weegee unearthed.

"Naked Hollywood: Weegee in Los Angeles" is showing until Feb. 27 at MOCA, located at 250 S. Grand Ave. in downtown.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: MOCA

Check It. Andrew Weiss Gallery.

Not many people can work it for the camera the way Marilyn did. The Andrew Weiss Gallery in Beverly Hills has the world's largest archive of Marilyn Monroe original photographs.

The gallery also features Picasso, Chagall, Matisse ... but I think the 1930s to present Hollywood fine photography is the real draw.

What's better than a gallery stroll on a rainy Saturday afternoon?

The Andrew Weiss Gallery is located at 179 South Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: "Here's to You" by Bert Stern, at the Andrew Weiss Gallery

Happy New Year!

We'd like to thank our readers for all the support in 2009. We wish you all an excellent 2010!

Happy New Year!

-- the BEAT