A Good Dia in Beacon
(NEW YORK) Thanks to sponsor Gucci, the art-minded crowd that gathered in Beacon, New York, on Saturday to join the Dia Art Foundation in celebrating the fifth anniversary of Dia:Beacon never looked more stylish.
Kelly Behun Sugerman, Cecilia Dean (whose dress was rather Sol Lewitt) and Lyn Fischbach were all outfitted in the Italian fashion house's creations, as were benefit co-chairs Honor Fraser, Stephanie La Nasa and Gucci Americas president Daniella Vitale, whose dress nearly matched that of Dia chairman Nathalie de Gunzburg. "We saw a gaggle of ladies all wearing Pucci, so we thought maybe they got Pucci mixed up with Gucci!" Dean laughed as she arrived.
A former Nabisco factory, the museum allowed plenty of elbow room despite its sold-out status--thanks in large part to its sheer size, which allowed the special performance by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company to proceed with ease. Francesco Clemente, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Julian Schnabel (in trademark pajamas), Alba Clemente, Brice Marden, Helen Mirra, Kenny Scharf, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, and author Jeff Eugenides were among those who took their seats on gymnasium-style bleachers in the basement to watch the performance, which was dedicated to former resident designer Robert Rauschenberg. Jeff Leatham, creative director of the George V in Paris, designed the decor. Guests marvelled over his handiwork, especially during the stunning dinner in the Warhol room.
Following the piece, guests made their way over for dinner (which had to be served by sundown because the space utilizes only natural light), but not before viewing Imi Knoebel's epic cycle "24 Colors--For Blinky," from 1977, which was shown for the first time in the United States and whose restoration and exhibition was funded by by Gucci.
"Sol Lewitt's new drawings on full size walls were wonderful," noted Kim Vernon, who arrived with Kevin Kollenda and mingled with Todd Eberle and Richard Pandiscio before settling into her table amidst guests from Phillips de Pury and Christie's and engaging in conversation over the importance of comedy and comedians. "Look at Kevin! He's so festive! He arrived in a pink Paul Smith shirt and changed into a white cotton waffle with white tie for dinner!"
Cindy Rachofsky, meanwhile, made the trip up north after arriving in town from Dallas for the contemporary art auctions last week. But alas, she left empty-handed. "I forgot my checkbook that had the $80 million in it that one would have needed to compete," she laughed. Next time!
