Kilimnik in Connecticut!

07 May 2012
by Art Rubynstein

You had to work for art this weekend. There was of course a mandatory outing to Randall’s Island for Frieze, and even more pleasant, a trip to Greenwich, Connecticut for the Karen Kilimnik opening at the Brant Foundation. The weather was perfect, the BBQ was intense, and the art world showed up in major force. Here are the highlights.

Years of works Karen Kilimnik showed at the foundation: 30 (1982 – 2012).

Artists present in Greenwich: KAWS and Julia Chiang, David Salle, Jane Holzer, Hanna Liden, Elizabeth Peyton, Marilyn Minter, Nate Lowman, Dan Colen, Francesco Clemente, and many others.

Accompanied by small kids: Leo Villareal and Yvonne Force, Simon de Pury, Urs Fischer.

Other notables: Leelee Sobieski, Kim Gordon, Olympia Scarry, Michael Avedon, Tara Subkoff, Bob Colacello, Hope Atherton, Jose Mugrabi, Aby Rosen, Jeffrey Deitch, Stefano Tonchi.

Best super sighting: Linda Evangelista playing soccer with her son Augustin on the field.

Best super dress: Stephanie Seymour in her scarlet Alaia.

Biggest topic of conversation: Hong Kong.

Best valet lot attraction: Jeff Koon’s Puppy which now lives on the Brant lands.

Biggest catering hits: Freshly BBQ’d pork and garden tomato infused mozzarella.

Sudden sausage expert: Gavin Brown, who tried some of Brant’s meat at the BBQ.

Most camera shy: Kilimnik, who of course happened to be the host.

Best parting gift: Lamb cookies inspired by Kilimnik’s signature paintings.

Photos: Billy Farrell Agency

2012 Brucennial: High Quality & High Capacity

01 March 2012
by Art Rubynstein

This year’s Bruce High Quality Foundation and Vito Schnabel’s Brucennial billed itself as the “The single most important art exhibition in the history of the world. Ever.” And judging from attendance it didn’t disappoint. 376 names (famous, semi-famous, and total unknowns) participated in this year’s salon style extravaganza at 159 Bleecker and thousands more paid tribute at the opening. Here are the highlights:

Capacity crowd: “We’re expecting 15,000 people tonight,” said Vito Schnabel at 6:20 PM. Exactly three minutes later, the joint was filled to capacity.

Artist cameos: Francesco Clemente, Aurel Schmidt, Dustin Yellin, Terence Koh, Danny Fuller, Michael Avedon, and maybe 200 others.

Other notables: Mary-Kate Olsen, Bob Colacello, Yvonne Force Villareal, Casey Fremont, Waris Ahluwalia, Bill Powers and Cynthia Rowley

Most recognizable wall pieces: Cindy Sherman, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and George Condo

Best curatorial advice: “Julian Schnabel told me to blow up my work to 70 by 70 inches, and so I did,” Danny Fuller on of the show’s big highlight pieces.

Best rain outfit: Terence Koh’s clear raincoat finished off his signature white fur.

Most notable sculpture: Dustin Yellin’s first floor centerpiece. “They told me recent, and I chose this baby,” he said.

Best parting gifts: “Harderer. Betterer. Fasterer. Strongerer.” scarlet BHQF tees..

Best indications that people are having fun: More beer can recycling bins than we could count.

Best homage to the Hirst Spot Challenge: Why…a Hirst spot painting! Though someone named Victoria Campbell claimed it as her own with a pencil signature.

Dustin Yellin’s New Domain

29 January 2012
by Art Rubynstein

Dustin Yellin had a big day on Saturday. “We moved in to the new studio and hosted this party all in one crazy night,” smiled the artist. Of course, Yellin not talking about ANY random studio. Artist’s new space on Pioneer & King in Red Hook might be the biggest, most exciting, new artist space right now in New York…or anywhere for that matter. It’s so huge that it took three co-hosts in Bob Colacello, Vito Schnabel and MGMT’s lead man Andrew VanWyngarden to host the intimate dinner opening for the space and launch of Yellin’s intriguing Intercourse magazine.

But first back to the studio…A former rail repair station might just be the Brooklyn’s answer to the P.S. 1 thanks to it’s size, location, and Yellin’s intended commitment to helping nourish other young talents. The artist also took the opportunity to unveil his epic 24000-pound triptych inspired by Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and guests like Aby Rosen, Sybil Yurman, and Dasha Zhukova, took the massive work in wonder. Even Yellin’s own mom flew in from Hawaii for the unveiling. Others like the entire crew from MGMT enjoyed the meatball and pasta family style buffet, their new surroundings, and of course the Art History Astrology section of Intercourse. And Colacello (pictured) happily discovered his self-portrait amidst all the action.

Wow Factor at Watermill

04 August 2011
by Art Rubynstein

Watermill tends to be one of most pleasant art benefit of the summer: good temperatures, six acres of performance art, lots of cotton t-shirts, flip-flops, and an offering of pretty good auction items. Here are some highlights:

Best performance piece: Ryan McNamara’s dramatic self-burial

Runner-up: Andrey Bartenev’s costume. The Russian artist has been pretty consistent with his garb over the years.

Power artist cameos: Cindy Sherman (having her dinner next to Klaus Biesenbach), Josephine Meckseper, Richard Phillips, Ross Bleckner

Editorial powers: Bob Colacello (who’s currently working on a new Nancy Reagan book), Cecilia Dean, and Stefano Tonchi

Most tanned: Rufus Wainwright

Biggest upset: Simon de Pury wearing jeans during the auction portion!