Luxe Condo!

26 January 2011
by Art Rubynstein

There are few notable events happening around the world these day: Sundance in Utah, award shows in Hollywood, and couture season in Paris. And yet, George Condo’s “Mental States” exhibition opening at New Museum and the dinner that followed certainly held its own. Condo attracted big names and some major momentum gains last night. Here’s a recap.

Condo’s most devoted fan: Kanye West, who flew in for the opening from Chicago despite dealing with the sorrow from the Bears elimination from the playoffs. But Condo did the art for the West’s last album and the Grammy winner told us he wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Condos most devoted fan (runner up): Marc Jacobs who flew in from his own show from Paris on Friday and the attendance at New Museum was one of his priorities with best friend Lorenzo Martone.

Power man faces in the crowd: John Currin, Jerry Saltz, Adam Weinberg, Richard Prince, Tony Shafrazi, Bill Powers, Klaus Biesenbach, and Julian Schnabel.

While Elizabeth Olsen is dominating Sundance…Mary Kate Olsen was busy checking out every painting at the museum.

Most popular dinner item: Fries that went fast at Balthazar that were quickly downed with champagne.

Photos – Nicholas Hunt / PatrickMcMullan.com

A Tsunami Called Bruce!

03 December 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Sure, Andre Balazs hosted a pleasant little cocktail to celebrate 10 years of Bruce Weber’s All American at the Standard last night. But the real star of the night turned out to be a tidal wave that shocked and delighted guests like Ryan McGinley, Jefferson Hack, and Lisa Anastos. Here’s a story. A giant yacht sped by the beachfront cocktail, creating a splash that coincided with the animated marching band performance. “It was all planned of course,” smiled satisfied Weber as the Standard’s staff passed out the crisp white towels to the guests.

Photo – CLINT SPAULDING/PatrickMcMullan.com

The Best Gems of Basel: Where You’ll Party This Week!

25 November 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Sure, we all travel to Miami every December for the billion-dollar gallery maze at the Convention Center…and NADA, Seven, Ink, Pulse, and other wonderfully random fairs and exhibits. But who are we kidding?! All you really want to know is where the best parties are, right? Well, without further ado, here’s where you need to be eating, drinking, and getting Aby Rosen’s business card come next Tuesday.

November 30

Melissa bash at the Webster to celebrate a collaboration between the Brazilian plastic shoe giant and Italian Architect Gaetano Pesce. Lorenzo Martone is a co-host, so expect a lively, happy group to start your week of right.

The Jonathan Meese exhibit opens with the bash at MOCA (it’s worth the $35 cab ride). Bruce Weber will be on premises (his Little Haiti show opened few weeks ago at the institution) along with Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brant. And all the hosts are very satisfied about the commutes this year. Why? Because Sischy and Brant usually stay at Weber’s home while in Miami.

Andre Balazs celebrates the US sea launch of The Aquariva, designed by Marc Newson at the Standard. The week’s favored (and often naughty) spa oasis will host plenty of bashes, but this is a nice little early evening tune up.

Nadja Swarovski and Craig Robbins celebrate Swarovski Crystal Palace and Design Miami with a big dinner at SoHo beach house. Do you remember Robbins’ BBQ feast at his house to celebrate the start of Basel? We sure do. Kim Heirston and Doreen Remen already booked their seats.

All You Need Is Surf!

19 November 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Wednesday night’s Surfrider Foundation’s programs benefit was the little sleeper hit of the night. Art Ruby buddy Tori Praver hosted the power silent auction and the dinner (along with Arc New York and Barneys) at the newly opened The Fat Radish. What do we mean by power? The auction artist group included Richard Phillips, Aaron Young, Art Box MVP Todd DiCiurcio, and Damien Hirst. So plenty to bid on, plenty to munch on, and plenty to discuss…

Most intriguing art news of the night: Beautiful host Praver is collaborating with Damien Hirst, thus the donation. Eat your heart out Lara Stone.

Most missed: Praver’s photog/surfer other half – Danny Fuller. He was plenty busy in Hawaii.

Notables: DiCiurcio’s buddys Ed Westwick and Petra Nemcova, Jeisa Chiminazzo, Arc’s Ryan Brown and Lorenzo Marotne, Tom Florio, Ivan Bart, and Julie Gilhart.

Best Quote: “I want to bid on Hirst, but I feel like I need to call my financial adviser first!”

So who went home with that All You Need Is Love Love Love? Art Ruby did! Happy 1st birthday to us.

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.