Pageant of the Masters: A Dazzling Masterpiece of a Show
As KUCI public affairs hosts, we had the privilege of getting a special first look at this year’s pageant, “Gold Coast: Treasures of California,” and it was truly a one-of-a-kind experience! Before the show even began, we had the opportunity to walk through a plethora of local artists showcasing everything from jewelry, to sculptures, photography, and more.
Liana: My personal favorite piece was the wooden Rube Goldberg machine designed by Larry Marley, complete with dancing marbles that were impossible to keep up with. Oil paintings that looked like photography and a gallery of artistic clocks were some of the other pieces displayed in the outdoor gallery.
Once the show had begun, it was clear this wasn’t just any art show. Since its creation in 1933, the Pageant of the Masters has been a beloved Laguna Beach tradition that honors various art pieces through real-life recreations. It was truly astonishing to witness the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into each featured piece. The audience even got a behind-the-scenes look into how each artwork is beautifully fabricated, from the delicate placing of the actors, lighting adjustments, and the creation of the picture-perfect setting.
Despite its age, the show has kept up with the times. This year, the show centered around a young influencer as she took a road trip down the state and throughout various California art museums. The show also gave tribute to various landmarks like Hearst Castle and Arden, the Helena Modjeska Historic House. It was beautiful to witness not only the recreations, but representations of the people behind these sites and what led to their establishment.
Hailey: What was so great about this experience was not only the sheer number of people that attended, but the fact that there were so many locations that they covered throughout California, which was highly relatable. I have been to many of the museums and sights, including museums like the Timken in San Diego, the Norton Simon Museum, and even the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of Art, which sits at our very own UC Irvine.
What amazed me the most was the recreation of the statues, specifically the bronze surfer statues in Dana Point. They even had a recreation of the tandem surfing duo, Barrie and Steve Boehne, which was incredible to watch. One of my personal favorites as well as the chess piece statues that they revealed towards the beginning of the show; it’s an homage to Indian craftsmanship and the history that lives within a beautiful game of strategy. Chess was a game developed in India to represent armies and became quickly popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, whereby each piece represents different roles throughout war.
By bringing a friend along, I also got to understand how this event brought art to new eyes; he hadn’t been to many museums before, and he was amazed at the Monet recreation and the explanations of the art. He appreciated the auditory explanations of the art, and this event brought much art to his eyes that he would have never been able to appreciate.
Liana: From a different perspective, I brought my father, who had grown up visiting many of the landmark sites, but also with the “surfs-up” era of California and that of the “Endless Summer.” The Pageant was a hit for all ages, and it had something for everyone.
This show was an incredible telling of California’s history throughout the building of each of these museums, still relating to today’s world, from the game of chess to surfer dudes still hitting Newport Beach. Not only did it bring the audience to the wonders that Californian museums have preserved, but it also allowed audiences and museum patrons to view a broader world beyond this beloved state. The Pageant of the Masters event represents a translation of art to minds, sparking imagination and wonder as audiences admire works. Everyone can find something to treasure at this event.
Liana Hase-Penn, Hailey Shah