Inside the Hollywood Roosevelt, the art world ditches convention centers for hotel rooms and cabanas.
Published
Beneath palm trees and a blinding February sun, we found ourselves at the Hollywood Roosevelt, joining the seasonal migration of New Yorkers who reliably reappear in Los Angeles this time of year. Felix Art Fair—now in its eighth edition—once again transformed the hotel into a vertical village of contemporary art. Felix skips the convention-center sprawl in favor of something looser and more social. Here’s who we saw.
Mills Moran, co-founder of Felix Art Fair
Can you name a Felix?
Felix the cat. That's the reason we started the fair.
We're at the Hollywood Roosevelt. What is the craziest thing that you have ever done at a hotel?
Called the cops on myself to end the party that I threw.
What's the first thing you do when you enter a hotel room?
Unload my luggage as fast as I can.
Why did you start Felix Art Fair?
I wanted to do an art fair that I actually wanted to participate in. And that makes it easier for galleries to survive.
Louis Shannon, Entrance Gallery
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done at a hotel?
Well, the most fun thing we used to do at hotels when we were kids growing up downtown was, during the big weeks in New York, we’d run into the Mercer Hotel with our lower faces covered like this, pretending to be some celebrity. We’d have paparazzi chase us in, and we’d run around the hotel getting chased by the paps. Then we’d take the cover off and it’d be like, “Who the fuck is this little skater punk?”
What artists do you think should have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
I can't name one, but I can name four: Brianna Lance, Oliver Clegg, Noel de Lesspse, and Dennis Miranda.
What is the first thing that you do when you go into a hotel room?
First thing I do is I gotta air it out. I air that thing out, right? I air it out. And then my guys, I check under the bed. I'm not like at the black light level, but I’m checking for things that haven’t been disposed.
What is art?
Oh my god, you really want me to get into this? Because I can do it. I’ve layed in bed staring at the ceiling many a night. Art is the code to humanity. Art is… It's like the essential. It's the final answer.
Brianna Lance, Ushering In, 2026. Watercolor on canvas. 30 x 40 inches (76 x 101 cm). Courtesy of Entrance Gallery
Ellie Rines, 56 Henry
Can you name a Felix?
There's Felix Rodder. He has a great gallery on the Upper East Side. It's in a lovely historic building, and he has a Waccon show that's probably coming down soon, so you should rush over to Felix Rodgers Gallery.
What is the craziest thing you've ever done at a hotel?
Oh my gosh. Well, one year, I got in trouble because I climbed the sign on the Hollywood Roosevelt. With a broken leg.
Can you tell us a little bit about what is in the booth today?
So this is one of the only group presentations we do all year, so we try to get a bunch of different examples from various artists. Should I walk you around?
K.o Nnamdie
Can you name a Felix?
Felix the Cat, my tattoo that's on my right arm. I'd show you that, but I'd have to take off this jacket.
What artist do you think should have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Oh my gosh. This artist, Brianna Lance, right there. You have to check her out. She deserves it.
What is art?
Breathing.
And when you come into a hotel room, what's the first thing you do?
Take a shower. That's probably the best place to start.
Arty Nelson, One Trick Pony
Can you name a Felix?
Felix the Cat. Not a person, but was near and dear to me, like a person.
What is the craziest thing that you have ever done at a hotel?
LSD sugar cubes
What artist do you think deserves their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Cindy Sherman
What is art?
Art is the thing you do when all the other things don't work out.
