Governors Ball Decor - reflecting fresco experience.

The project began in October 2004 in the mind of Ilia Annosov, the lead artist of iLAdesigns and head instructor of the fresco School. He had done work on previous Academy Award projects, but this was the first time he was asked to contribute to this Event on this large of a scale. Based on guidelines provided by the event producer Cheryl Cecchetto whose Sequoia Productions has staged 15 Governors Balls and the Academy, Ilia and project manager Yunmy Parks of Sequoia, began to form the ideas. They began to take shape first in the form of a pen and ink rendering and later in an intricate scale model.

The work on the actual interior began shortly after the approval of these designs. Among the most time consuming aspect was the hand painted ceiling. Fortunately, much of the work was done on the floor of iLAdesign studios and was transferred to the Kodac Theater upon completion. Initially, the large strips of fabric were painted the blue background color. This was followed by the painting of trompe l'oeil medalions and lunettes along the center dome and main ceiling panel. The initial outline was painted in sweeping white and gold brush strokes. Later, antique verdaccio color was used to create the striking appearance of depth.

Other parts of the ceiling could not be completed at the studio. The molding around the base of the smaller chandeliers, 54 in all (not sure about this number), had to be completed at the Kodac Theater. Two full days had to be spent painting these remaining designs upside-down, with the fabric already stretched by set decorator Nelson Sosa and his team across the ceiling.

One of the most impressive aspects of the design had to be the large Veranda backdrop that occupied the entire end of the immense ball room. This painting totaled 2000 sq. feet. It was modern and airy, yet had levels of complexity of the Old World chinosairies. Scattered across the foliage of the trees, tiny white flowers reflected the light from above. These flowers became a glowing source of light and ceased to be simply a painting. The trees, themselves, seemed to retreat back into the distance adding to the dynamics of the composition.

The rest of the décor was a symphony of light and shadow. The mirrors placed symmetrically around the interior caused the observer to imagine a coldness and depth existed beyond the exterior walls. The large bouquets of roses echoed the shape of the chandeliers hanging from above. And a hand painted dance floor with hand painted gold organza stage surrounding the orchestra added a finishing touch to the ambiance of the ball.


"We wanted to create a modern-day palace, which is very fitting for the Governors Ball," said Cheryl Cecchetto.

     

The combination of these features added to the overwhelming success of the Governor?s Ball. As the guests arrived that night one could hear them whisper to one another of the masterpiece that had been created. It was difficult for one to image that you were still in downtown Hollywood. For a short time, the work of Ilia Annosov and iLAdesgins transported guests to another world, a world to remember.

by Andrew Brosseit

images cortesy of AMPAS®, Sequoia Prods, iLAdesigns.com