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

Spot Challenge Pit Stop #3: Hong Kong

17 January 2012
by Art Rubynstein

Hong Kong is perhaps the most exotic stop on our journey, and yet this A.I like city is not as intimidating as it seems. You see, thanks to the most awesome elevated escalator pedestrian city on Earth, we managed to do everything on our priority list in less than 45 minutes this morning. That included a super bullet train from the airport that connected to Mandarin Oriental that in turn connected to Gagosian that’s also connected to every luxury mall imaginable including Lane Crawford. Then, we decided to do much more.

But first back to Gagosian…Since White Cube isn’t opening until later this year (Jay Jopling is a wise man, 2012 is a year of the Water Dragon, which basically translates to a lot of cash!), Gagosian is still primarily the only big player in town aside from the Art Fair rush every May. The quiet, 7th floor Pedder Street location (across Vuitton’s biggest store on the planet) has been in business for less than a year and things look promising in Hong Kong (it won’t officially play by China’s rules until 2047!). Our favorite piece during the Asian leg of the tour was the square “Controlled Substance Key Painting” (1993-1994) complete with lovely typography and numerology. Though after New York’s spectacular, the shows are visibly smaller.

Peter Brant’s Art Caste Gets a New Prince in David Altmejd!

08 November 2011
by Art Rubynstein

It was a perfect weekend day in Greenwich and at The Brant Foundation Art Study Center. Crisp blue sky, perfectly catered lunch, and more floral arrangements than you can count. But most importantly those who made it to New England got a spectacular David Altmejd opening. “It’s nice to be away from Chelesa a little bit,” smiled the Canadian born Altmejd. “It’s not only because it’s Greenwich, but it also seems to be the perfect time of the year here in terms light. The air is crisp, the light if beautiful, and it feels special because we’re a little disconnected from the city.”

Well, not entirely. Most of the guests made a commute from Gotham for Altmejd and the highly spirited host, Peter Brant and no one was left disappointed. How did the artist conquer this impressive show? “I’m into energy, transformation, and growth,” he said. “Even if my bigger work feels ambitious, I really just tend to focus on the microscopic details of my sculptures. That I add up those tiny, detailed moments to add up to a gigantic landscapes of sorts.” And lots of opening day memories too…

Artists who made the Connecticut commute: Josephine Meckseper and Richard Phillips, KAWS, Marilyn Minter, and Josh Smith.

Artist who got the most non – Altmejd camera action: Urs Fischer thanks to his momentous outdoor sculpture.

Notable gallerists on premises: Altmejd’s fairy godmother Andrea Rosen, Gavin Brown, Vito Schnabel, Tony Shafrazi, just to name a few.

Unexpected celebrity cameo: Mary-Kate Olsen, Peter Brant’s good buddy who politely refused to be photographed.

Expected celebrity cameo that failed to materialize: Orlando Bloom, who was actually spotted in a pedicure salon in the city during the opening.

Coolest spotting: Tom Wolfe. We’ll take him any day.

Work of Art cast on site: China Chow and Simon de Pury

Most stylish guest: Stephanie Seymour in Alaia. Who else did you expect?

Lunch highlights: Pumpkin ravioli, organic chicken, mignon, and more Brant kids than you can count in the makeshift art cafeteria.

Best parting gift: Altmejd inspired insect cookies. We took two home.

All photos: Joe Schildhorn, Billy Farrell Agency

The Chanel and RxArt Host a Clinic!

24 September 2011
by Art Rubynstein

The lazy days of summer are officially over. Art dinners are in full swing, galleries are now virtually all open, and RxArt with its and founder Diane Brown, hosted a nice little gathering this week along with Chanel Beauté at Highline Stages to raise money for charity and to serve a cocktail or two. The space was vast, the open bars weren’t competitive in terms of crowding, and plenty of good art was up for bid. Here are the highlights.

Artist cameos: Will Cotton, Rafael de Cardenas, Aaron Young, KAWS and Julia Chiang, Marco Brambilla, David Levinthal, Bill Powers, Jose Parla, among many others.

Missing in Action: Rob Pruitt, who designed the cover artwork for the RxArt’s 3rd annual coloring book. That illustration was the base for a very interactive marker wall at the bash.

Best new art supply: Chanel markers

Most excited bidder: Rag & Bone’s David Neville who bid on Levinthal’s Yankee homage during the early minutes of the party. “Let’s just hope they win the World Series this time!” exclaimed the die-hard Yankee fan.

Most popular artwork: Aurel Schmidt’s cigarette stained piece which inspired a serious bidding war.

Most exciting current fashion/ art collab: Jason Wu x KAWS. “And yet, I missed the fashion show because of my LA opening,” grinned the artist.

Most exciting upcoming fashion/ art collab: Aurel Schmidt’s current work with a big, French based brand. Watch this space for updates.

Best jock cameo: Rangers’ fashion and art loving Sean Avery

All Photos are courtesy of BFAnyc.com

Chanel Drill in Tribeca

27 April 2011
by Art Rubynstein

Every year, Tribeca Film Festival hands out artwork as their trophies to the film award winners. And Chanel hosts a dinner to celebrate the donors, alumni artists, and what the heck…put few actors in their samples. For the second straight year, the event took place in Odeon and it was eventful: steak frites, peonies, Robert DeNiro, and more artists than fire marshals would allow. Here are our highlights and impressions:

Artists with the dinner plates: Taryn Simon, Sarah Crowner, Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao, Nate Lowman (all who donated works this year) and Aaron Young, Julian Schnabel, Patti Smith, Julia Chiang, KAWS, Ann Duong, Dustin Yellin, José Parlá, Tierney Gearon, Jane Holzer, Todd Eberle, Jeff Koons, Andres Serrano, Tom Sachs and many others just for the kicks.

SAG card holders: Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Zoe Kravitz, Rose Byrne, Lauren Hutton, Chloe Sevigny, and Mr. De Niro of course.

The wild cards: Jimmy Buffett, Danielle Steele, and our favorite, Jean Pigozzi.

Best artist date: Young’s beautiful Proenza clad girlfriend, Laure Heriard Dubreuil. “It also helps that she lives in Miami,” smiled the artist.

Most responsible artist: Koons, who actually was familiar with all the works celebrated at the bash. “I went to New York Academy of Art earlier today to check it all out,” he told us.

Most responsible film goer: Schabel, who attended the opening night at Tribeca. “I though the Cameron Crowe’s Elton John documentary was just fantastic,” he told us.

Most Tribeca guilt: “I live right on Chambers street and I haven’t seen anything yet,” smiled model Linda Vojtova. “It’s a crime, really!”

Most jet-legged: (tie) Smith and Sevigny. Smith came back from Spain and Sevigny from China. “I don’t think they watch the Big Love there,” said the actress of her trip to promote Opening Ceremony. “But surprisingly, they all sort of knew who I was.”

Best quote: “You know Paul Haggis, do you also have the powers to get our food on the tables faster?” Zach Braff to a seatmate.

Photos: Billy Farrell Agency/BFAnyc.com

Rx X 10

17 November 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Another night, another auction filled delight. Monday night was all about the CFDA’s Fashion Fund (for those with good Vogue chutzpa) and RxArt’s 10th Anniversary for all of us artistic souls, craving another silent auction. And that latter great fundraiser at the Art Director’s club required three separate chairs, James Franco, Terry Richardson, and Rob Pruitt, but all three gentlemen stepped up for an undeniably great cause- uplifting art for children’s hospital. Here are the highlights…

Monday night notables: Ryan McGinley in a sharp Calvin suit, Dan Colen, Aaron Young, Will Cotton, and Humberto Leon.

Latest big name arrival: James Franco…but he told everyone that he had classes at Yale earlier in the night.

Most welcome surprise: A DJ set from yes…Simon de Pury. He did reality TV this year, knows how to use the turntables and has an awesome accent. This man is a supernova.

Most welcome parting gift: Useful Kiehl’s swag in the goody bag.

Biggest live auction draw: The Yoshitomo Nara that fetched $28,000

Photos: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com