Piero Golia's Chalet: A Transient Social Sculpture in Hollywood

From 2014 to 2015, Piero Golia established The Chalet, a mysterious social venue hidden behind an unmarked entrance in a historic theater in Hollywood. The architectural design was crafted by Edwin Chan, who had previously partnered with Frank Gehry for 25 years. The art displayed included Pierre Huyghe's aquarium featuring floating stones and live bait, a painting by Mark Grotjahn, a photograph by Jeff Wall, and a piano lent by Christopher Williams that had been utilized at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. The programming showcased Polynesian dancers, the UCLA Bruin Marching Band, performances by Stephen Galloway, and events with Tom Lawson and Stefan Simchowitz. Guests included museum directors, critics, artists, and celebrities like Orlando Bloom, Sasha Grey, Bret Easton Ellis, and Balthazar Getty. The Chalet concluded with a celebration coinciding with Huyghe's retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. For its entire 15-month duration, Golia managed the venue, attending to guests with finesse while showcasing unique tattoos and a gemstone tooth. The Chalet remained an enigma, eluding classification as a private club, salon, or gesamtkunstwerk, leaving behind an enduring mystery after its closure.