How the multimedia artist — whose Noir exhibition is at Gagosian Beverly Hills until March 22 — winds down
Photography by LEONARDO CESTARI
Where do you live?
In L.A., above the Sunset Strip in the Bird Streets.
Where do you feel most zen?
Coachella.
Favorite park/hike?
Disneyland. It’s a theme park; does that count?
Favorite beach?
Leo Carillo, a Malibu Icon.
Favorite relaxing getaway?
I’m not very good at relaxing.
Favorite health food fix?
My morning smoothie from Earthbar: the Basic Chocolate with an extra scoop of Earthfusion protein, spinach, and Mayan Mix.
Favorite comfort food? From where?
Chicken soup from Nate ’n Al’s. No noodles.
Do you follow a diet?
I do my best to avoid sugar and carbs. I rarely drink alcohol anymore. It doesn’t sound like fun, but it keeps me energized and able to do much more.
Favorite beverage?
Decaf coffee at Jon & Vinny’s. My morning ritual.
Favorite hotel?
The Beverly Hills Hotel. And I’ve never even stayed there — I just love the Fountain Coffee Room, the pink stucco, and all the palms, real and wallpaper.
Favorite workout?
Ultimate Performance. It’s the most hardcore training program I’ve ever done, but it has also yielded the best results.
Favorite spa? Treatment?
My friend Maggie’s house. We sauna, cold plunge, lie in her red-light-therapy bed and drink pickle juice, and play with her incredible dogs.
Where do you take visiting friends?
Erewhon. It’s world-famous.
What’s in your bathroom cabinet?
A sizable collection of Louis Vuitton colognes. We’ve now collaborated on seven scents.
Favorite skincare?
A close friend always brings me the latest and greatest Korean face masks from Seoul — whatever’s trending at beauty emporium Olive Young. I keep them in the fridge so they’re cold and extra refreshing against my skin.
What do you wear to work out?
Various souvenir t-shirts (from a trip to Kyoto; Craig’s Restaurant; my Burning Man camp’s pizza stand, Deep Pie), Lululemon shorts, Hokas.
Favorite home items?
I was recently given an Elder Statesman cashmere blanket and now I can’t imagine my life without it.
Favorite guru/healer?
My hypnotherapist, Bruce Bonnett. He helps me keep my sweet tooth in check.
Favorite album/musician to help you relax?
Anything by Lana Del Rey. Lana forever.
Favorite road/drive?
Sunset Boulevard. It’s the way home.
What’s your mantra?
Like the Eagles always sing, “Take it easy.”
Feature image: Alex Israel beside his giant Fins sculptures at Gagosian Rome, 2023.
This story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of C Magazine.
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