‘Fear no art’

Lolita Harper

The eye candy at Bayside Restaurant has been sweetened by the new

display of colorful pop art by acclaimed artist Andre Miripolsky.

Bayside Restaurant rotates a vibrant art collection every three

months. Miripolsky’s bright and imaginative paintings liven the mood

and bring a hip collection that has not been seen in Orange County in

nearly a decade.

A delectable array of his works intermingle with the island

plantation decor of the popular restaurant, creating a visual feast

for customers. The food is delicious, too.

Marc Ghoukassian, the owner of the popular restaurant, said he was

honored to showcase the display. He flipped through books and books,

and none of the art was bold enough -- until he saw Miripolsky’s

explosive works leap off the page. Ghoukassian became an instant fan.

He also commissioned Miripolsky to paint the very first painting of

what is sure to become a collection.

“I love pop art,” he said.

While Ghoukassian is a fan, some of the provocative works may not

sit well in conservative Orange County.

“Lot’s of people have been shocked in a way,” Ghoukassian said.

“It’s gotten lots of attention.”

They can love it or hate -- the important thing is they have been

exposed to it. One of Miripolsky’s catchiest phrases has been “Fear

no art.” Art sparks emotion, innovation, creativity and passion. It

helps fuel the sensations that make the world go around.

“It is Fear No Art Day at Bayside,” Miripolsky said loudly, with

his arms wide open, as he walked in the restaurant.

The artist outshone his own work with his dazzling “Fear No Art”

T-shirt, orange pants, zebra-striped bracelet, pink, blue and green

shoes and immaculately shaved head.

The Bayside exhibit worked out with “precision, stiletto timing

from the universe,” Miripolsky said. He had just gotten his “Hip and

Tasty” exhibit back from Japan three days before the opening at

Bayside.

Vodka lovers and late night TV junkies know his work from the

Absolut vodka campaign and the six huge scenic sets for the “Tonight

Show.” Newport Beach-based band Sugar Ray recently performed on one

of Miripolsky’s sets on the “Tonight Show,” and even the artist was

surprised at how dynamic the effect was.

“They create these total Miripolsky environments, and it is so

spectacular,” he said. “This is really quite radical of [the show].”

Miripolsky’s body of work includes sculptures, light board

drawings, clothing, jewelry, tapestries, stage sets, films, logos,

album covers and paintings. He is based in Los Angeles at his studio,

the Kingdom of Color.

His list of achievements would dry the ink on the printing

presses, but the most notable are work on Elton John’s “Piano Key”

costume for his 1997 performance in Central Park, album package and

visual design work for Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, the Rolling

Stones, the Beastie Boys and Robin Williams.

The MTV generation would be familiar with Miripolsky’s

6,000-square foot mural on the UCLA basketball court for the “Rock

and Jock Basketball Jam” of 1992.

Miripolsky is no stranger to diversity and the various shades of

the world. Born in Paris to the cultural advisor for the American

Foreign Service, Miripolsky traveled all over the world in his youth.

He lived in the “exotic landscapes” of Iran, Thailand, Austria,

France, Indonesia and Korea.

Art has always been a part of his life, he said. At 8 years old,

he was working with oils, and by 10, he had sold his first painting

-- an oil on canvas of an erupting volcano -- to the American

Ambassador of Indonesia.

“I wish I hadn’t sold it, because it was a really good painting,”

he said.

After graduating high school in Seoul, Korea, Miripolsky headed to

the California Institute of the Arts.

He brings his lifetime of artistic expertise to Newport Beach.

Those who are drawn to the Bayside Restaurant for fine dining and a

fabulous view of the Back Bay will also get a taste of world renowned

art. The popular eatery tickles the senses of sight, taste, touch and

sound with live music every night.

“I really think this is good for a place like Newport Beach,”

Miripolsky said.