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.

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

Breaking the Whitney Ground

22 May 2011
by Art Rubynstein

The Washington Street Whitney is still good five to six years away from the game-changing reality, but on Thursday we got a preview of things to come. Two giant tents were erected on the museum’s future site to celebrate the Groundbreaking week of the institution as well as to hand out the 2011 American Art Award to Marissa Mayer. Here’re the details:

The army of artists: Roni Horn, Cory Arcangel, Richard Phillips, Laurie Simmons, Lorna Simpson, Christo, Irit Batsry, Shirin Neshat, Claes Oldenburg, Thomas Otterness, Andrew Lord, and Richard Tuttle, among many others.

Big shot supporters: LVMH’s Renaud Dutreil, Susan Hess, Cinidi Lieve, Anne H. Bass, André Balazs, Jacqueline and Vito Schanbel, and Brooke Garber Neidich.

Most popular guest: John McEnroe, who’s still being teased about his match winning record that’s being challenged by Novak Djokovic right now at French Open.

Best dressed: Josephine Meckseper who’s heading to Venice next.

Sure sign that this American gala: Meat loaf and mac’n’cheese was your main course.

Best surprise: Debbie Harry and the Blondie taking the stage (and complaining about the dump they were performing in).

Welcome unofficial after-party cameos: Chelsea Handler, Olivier Zahm, Ann Dexter Jones, who were all spotted at Boom Boom after with some high-dealing Whitney socials.

Photos – CLINT SPAULDING/PatrickMcMullan.com

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.

Young & Tough

08 May 2011
by Art Rubynstein

Aaron Young opened his anticipated Built Tough showcase on Saturday at Bortolami and he didn’t disappoint. His Americana themed works ventured where the artist hasn’t gone before: full scale entrancing paintings, polished youth propaganda sculptures, and meaningful prints. He had plenty of support during the weekend as he co-hosted his opening and party with Nate Lowman at Jane , who also had a fair amount of stars and stripes in his show.

Young supporters: Jane Holzer, Tom Hooper and Tara Subkoff, Richard Phillips and Josephine Meckseper, Terry Richardson, Dustin Yellin and Linda Yablonsky.
Most supportive art girlfeind award: Young’s favorite woman, Laure Heriard Dubreuil who’s always smiling and wearing better clothes than others in the room
Guest who most resembled one of Young’s sculptures: James Franco
Jane hotel patrons in Young’s support: Waris Ahluwalia and Vito Schnabel among others
Best surprise: DJ Aziz Ansari taking over the bash