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

David & Goliaths

08 May 2011
by Art Rubynstein

It was a Saturday unlike any other this year in the city. Between the trolleys to Connecticut for the Peter Brant foundation festivities to the high powered David Salle opening at Mary Boone (and the joint dinner with Clifford Ross at Matsuri that followed) this was no sleepy weekend. Near perfect temperatures inspired a flourishing artist A-list attendance to support Salle’s tremendous show and everyone seemed to be in the good mood. Here’s the recap.

Mary Boone Salle supporters: Jeff Koons, Francesco and Alba Clemente, Richard Phillips and Josephine Meckseper, Kim Heirston Evans, Fran Lebowitz, Alex Katz, Cecily Brown, among many others.
Most refreshing Oscar winner cameo: Christopher Walken
Most excited: Mary Boone, who received plenty of great feedback for Salle’s work. “It’s his first new show in three years,” she beamed.
Familiar faces at Matsuri: Will Cotton, Rachel Feinstein and John Currin, Anh Duong, Ross Bleckner, Dana Schutz, Sante D’Orazio, Salman Rushdie, Vito Schnabel, Liz Swig, and Peggy Siegal.
Most curious accessory: Anne McNally’s blue fur collar in the early heat of May
Who needs champers? Koons and Salle went for beer with their sashimi.

Inside Art Ruby’s Richard Phillips Spectacular

28 April 2010
by Art Rubynstein

There always comes a time for the very first dinner party, and ART RUBY’s premiere big bash took place this week in New York. We happily hosted an evening at The Lion to celebrate Richard Phillips, one of our very favorite artists who’s having one hell of a spring. Phillips co-curated Your History is Not Our History exhibit with David Salle (that closes at Haunch of Venison on Friday) and is part of the group showing at the Swiss Institute that will unveil on May 5.  Both Salle and our honoree made it out to West Village last night and even playfully posed with a custom crystallized Moët et Chandon bottle that celebrated their superior wrangling skills and many sleepless hours. Phillips’ better half Josephine Meckseper (who’s a big hit at The Whitey Biennial this time around) was of course there to support her favorite man.

In fact, it was a big night for golden artist couples like Rachel Feinstein and John Currin and Lisa Yuskavage and Matvey Levinstein all came by to toast good friend Phillips with pink champagne, lobster bisque, pan seared sea bass and filet mignon. Others gallery certified guests at the tables of yet unopened eatery included Tom Sachs and Gagosian’s Sarah Hoover, Sean Landers,  Les Rogers, and frequent Art Box contributor Todd DiCiurcio who was accompanied by his lovely wife Megan. There was table hopping, appetizer sharing, and lots of mutual admiration.

Beyond the artists and the gallerinas, other ART RUBY supporters included actress Melissa George with director husband Claudio Dabed,  Jimmy Choo czarina Tamara Mellon, Waris Ahluwalia, Emma Hall, Casey Fremont, Lorenzo Martone, designers Claude Morais and Brian Wolk (of Ruffian), Prabal Gurung, and wild card dinner seatmate Oksana Baiul. Yes, the one that beat Nancy Kerrigan when you still owned a Walkman in 1994.  Artistically inclined surfer and model pair of Danny Fuller and Tori Praver fully enjoyed their dessert of Art Ruby velvet cupcakes and Phillips’ sweet toast to his buddies and our little site.  Until the next dinner and honoree, we hope you enjoy our favorite images from last night’s event.