The Tamesis
Chloë SevignyYvonne Tnt/BFA.com
Cipriani South Street was buzzing with activity on Monday evening, thanks to the new museum. The lower Manhattan venue was awash in pink and orange blooms at the arts institution’s annual gala — though the boldest blooms came from the guests themselves. Although there was no dress code, most people arrived dressed in their finest printed, embroidered and sequined floral outfits, further enhancing the joyful, relaxed and reborn feel of the event.
In fact, there’s a lot to celebrate. The evening paid tribute to the beloved Toby Devan Lewis, outgoing dean Lisa Phillips, who is resigning after 27 years at the institution. Shortly after the evening cocktail hour, it was happily announced that the previous fundraising record had been broken, as the event had raised $2.7 million in donations (and counting).
The recent opening of the museum’s second building was also a highlight of the evening. Its new space is currently hosting a major exhibition New humanity: memories of the future, Featuring works by Sophia Al-Maria, Berenice Olmedo, Jamian Juliano-Villani, and a number of artists focused on creativity and humanity’s relationship with evolving technology. Also, a new cafe is not far behind. Guests including Jeff Koons, Pamela Hanson, Jamie Singer Soros and honorary committee chair Chloë Sevigny, who wore a floral Chloé ensemble, were understandably elated.
“There are very few institutions downtown that have this kind of curatorial capacity,” Sevigny told Fashion. “It’s really exciting that people can hang out in the park, in Washington Square, in Tompkins, and walk to the museum. Sometimes, it can be a little intimidating to make the trek uptown.”
At the event, crowds sipped fizzy pink bellinis, dined on zucchini slices and mini club sandwiches while perusing a silk charmeuse painting by Cindy Sherman and a ceramic bust by Rashid Johnson, both of which are up for auction. Most ignored the initial seating announcement with Phillips, whose influence includes supporting diverse contemporary artists, co-founding the NEW INC incubator program, and co-curating six Whitney Biennials.
