Gallery Opening Benefits L.A. Animal-Rights Activists

Studio Leonardogavinci, an art gallery in the mid-Wilshire area, is owned by artists Leonardo Chalupowicz and Gavin Dillard, who also go under the name Leonardogavinci. And, in their spare time, these Leonardogavincis are also animal-rights activists. Last Thursday evening they turned over their gallery to 11 artists who, in various media, celebrated their relationships with other species.

Among the “other species” present were Rio, a 10-foot Burmese python, who was the life of the “Animal Rites” benefit opening. Rio knows about partying. Rio, it seems, has appeared in the pornographic movie “Stryker Force.” Dillard, the python’s owner, said that Rio would be continuing his career. Rio also appeared in the October, 1988, issue of Playgirl magazine.

Rio, like many big stars, just hung around, seemingly indifferent to the relentless attentions of the crowd at the Studio Leonardogavinci. When it came time, however, for a photograph to be taken, Rio, like many stars, came to attention and was suddenly animated and friendly. He flirted with artist Rachel Rosenthal, who, later in the evening, performed a piece entitled “Zatoichi,” the story of her elderly poodle who refused to die--but eventually did. Rosenthal was not joined by her pet rat, Tatti Wattles, who often accompanied her during performances. Yes, T.W. has passed on also.

Animal-rights consciousness expressed itself in many forms during the unusual event. Furniture designers Jeff Goodman and Stephen Charlton were sorry they hadn’t brought their white toy poodle, who, they felt, has a right to get out more often. “She would’ve loved that snake,” said Charlton, “and she always likes tragic stories about other poodles.”

Art collector Karen Barone expressed her concern for animal rights by wearing a Mylar snakeskin bathing suit. “I prefer the Mylar and gold foil variety of snake,” said Barone. Rio, nearby, seemed nonplused.

The proceeds from the exhibit were donated to a host of animal-rights organizations, including the Humane Society, Greenpeace and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), whose executive director, Kim Stallwood, had flown in from Washington, D.C. for the event. Stallwood announced at approximately 9:30 p.m. that “fur was dead.” As a fashion statement, that is.

Animal activist Chantal Cloutier, whose agency represents top stylists, make-up artists and hairdressers, remarked that “it is no longer fashionable to wear fur. Fun fur won’t even be fashionable soon.” Cloutier will not even accept bookings that include fur. “One of my artists has to take his fur bookings at home. I won’t get involved in it,” Cloutier insisted. Cloutier works closely with PETA and Stallwood and was involved in the recently successful campaign against the cosmetic companies to stop using animals in product research.

Brandon Labelle, the brother of animal-rights activist artist Charles Labelle, brought three tiny kittens to the opening, hoping they would be adopted. They were picked up for inspection immediately. Several potential adoptive parents were not quite sure they were ready for yet another cat. Rio, hanging around nearby, expressed his concern for the kittens’ fortunes by flicking his forked tongue hungrily.