LongHouse Reserve's annual galas are elegant affairs and the 2015 summer benefit, "On Gossamer Wings" held true to form. Taking place on July 18, 2015, the gala was held in the heart of LongHouse Reserve’s 16-acre art filled gardens and featured live music, performance, and an art auction plus dinner and dancing beneath the stars. Artist and sculptor Kiki Smith was the recipient for this year's LongHouse Award. A few of her sculptures are being exhibited this season at LongHouse.
"On Gossamer Wings" raised $500,000 for the non-profit foundation and helped mark its 24th season.
Guests were encouraged to wear billowy black and shimmery white attire as part of the gala's artistic design and atmosphere. This year's guests included Agnes Gund, Robert Wilson, Inga Maren Otto, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Cindy Sherman, Alice Aycock, Barbara Slifka, Jenni Muldaur, Maria Bacardi, Jonathan Sheffer, John Hall, Nicole Miller, Fern Mallis, Mary Jane Marcasiano, Ralph Pucci, photographers Ralph Gibson, Michael Halsband, and Larry Warsh, architects Richard Meier, and Steven Holl, Ike Ude, Faith Popcorn, Florence Fabricant, Elizabeth Strong-Cuevas, Janna Bullock, Zoe Bullock, Veronica Atkins, Hala and James Salomon, Vincent Covello, Katja Goldman, April Gornik, and Polina Proshkina and others.
Partygoers were ushered into the gala through a bamboo passageway as the first design element of the evening as LongHouse was transformed through music, illusions and performance.
John Houshmand performed with his art band Soundwall, which played self-styled sculptural instruments as guests walked across the grounds into the heart of the benefit. Singer Jenni Muldaur and pianist Jonathan Sheffer then serenaded guests with Cole Porter music from the veranda of LongHouse during the cocktail reception.
Synchronized swimmers The Brooklyn Peaches returned to perform at the gala both as water performers and as “wood nymphs” dressed in designs by Nicole Miller and Mary Jane Marcasiano featuring artwork by Kiki Smith. A big hit with guests was magic woven by illusionist Joshua Jordan.
After cocktails, guests retired to dinner beneath the stars, the bestowing of Kiki Smiths's award and a Dessert & Dance Party led by DJ Donna d’Cruz.
To see pictures from the benefit, view our slideshow:
View Slideshow.
Fern Mallis, Dianne Benson, Manana Freyre, Monique Knowlton, David Ling. Photo by Patrick McMullan.
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Kiki Smith sitting on one of her "Woman With Sheep" sculptures. Photo by Dawn Watson.
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Highlights from the Benefit Auction included works by Kiki Smith, Laurie Anderson, Alice Aycock, Ross Bleckner, Dale Chihuly, Jun Kaneko, Steve Miller, Nico Muhly, Larry Rivers, Cindy Sherman, Takashi Soga, Ike Ude, Robert Wilson, Lucy Winton, Eric Dever, Joe Pintauro and many others.
On Gossamer Wings was organized by LongHouse Reserve President Dianne B., LongHouse Reserve Board of Trustees; honorary chairs Julianne Moore, Robert Wilson, Edward Albee, Cindy Sherman, Richard Meier, Laurie Anderson, Dorothy Lichtenstein, and Barbara Slifka, among others; and LongHouse Reserve Founder and Curator, Jack Lenor Larsen.
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Jodi Imburgia, Jack Larsen, Hilda Longinotti. Photo by Patrick McMullan.
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BASIC FACTS: LongHouse Reserve is located at 133 Hands Creek Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937. www.longhouse.org.
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