Turning out for MOCA

The Times estimates that about 450 people showed up Sunday at the Geffen Contemporary, answering the call to show their support for MOCA. Some also wanted to know WTF is going on with the financially decaying museum, and at least one shouted the question that many were probably wondering: where was director Jeremy Strick? He wasn't there, that's for sure. LAT reporter Diane Haithman:

Speakers included George Baker, UCLA associate professor of art history, who was previously scheduled to speak on conceptualism in art in California but instead got swept up by the mobilization; Los Angeles Cultural Affairs chief Olga Garay; and artist Richard Jackson. Former MOCA curator Julie Lazar and artist Alexis Smith made impromptu remarks stressing the importance of the museum to the world of contemporary art.

Because of the long line still waiting outside the Geffen at the scheduled start time of 3 p.m., the speakers did not begin their remarks until about half an hour later to make sure everyone could get inside to be part of what we'll call the "MOCA Mobe." A museum spokeswoman said that a little more than $4,000 was collected at the door, mostly in admission fees but also including 21 new memberships.

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A handful of MOCA representatives were on hand, including chief curator Paul Schimmel and board member Blake Byrne, but they refused to reveal any of the past week's boardroom secrets and would acknowledge only that they were here to show the flag for the artists and the museum.

Haithman doubled as a photojournalist for the photos with her story.