Ari Emanuel (co-chief executive of William Morris Endeavor and brother of Chicago Mayor Rahm) and Maurice Marciano (founder of Guess brands) were named to fill two vacancies on MoCA’s board of trustees today. Marciano served briefly on MoCA’s board before resigning around the time of its 2008 financial meltdown, while Emanuel’s involvement with the art world comes somewhat more recently. From the Los Angeles Times:

“MOCA’s announcement said that over the last two years Emanuel has been ‘instrumental’ in helping the museum forge a relationship with Google that led to Monday’s launch of the MOCAtv channel on Google-owned YouTube. He also is on the board of the American Film Institute.

Marciano is one of four brothers who founded jeans-maker and clothing retailer Guess Inc. in 1981; he was a top executive of the company, known for helping to introduce a new level of sexuality in advertising, until retiring in January. He still chairs the corporate board.

MOCA said that over the last two years Marciano has donated or promised three works for its collection — a sculpture by Sterling Ruby and paintings by Wade Guyton and Tauba Auerbach. He is also on the board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.”

The additions of Emanuel and Marciano were made in the wake of the departure of eight board members since February, including the resignations-in-protest by Jane Nathanson and artists Catherine Opie, Barbara Kruger, Ed Ruscha, and John Baldessari. The board remains without any artist-trustees for the first time in the museum’s history.

SOURCE: Mike Boehm, “Hollywood Agent Ari Emanuel, Guess’ Maurice Marciano Join MOCA Board,” Los Angeles Times, October 3, 2012.