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Art Basel Miami Beach 10th Anniversary

Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL | 12.01-12.4.2011 | by Merry Esparza

Art Basel Miami Beach, the most prestigious art show in the Western Hemisphere, welcomed a record 50,000 visitors to its tenth edition at the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 1-4, 2011. A companion to Switzerland's 42-year old Art Basel, the show featured more than 260 galleries from 30 countries, and represented over 2,000 artists. A major draw for international art collectors, museum directors, curators, and celebrities, the show presents the best and latest in 20th and 21st Century painting, drawing, sculpture, installation art, photography, film, and video. It also offers a host of special exhibitions, events, panel discussions, and private collection tours. (left: Louise Bourgeois, "Cell (Twelve Oval Mirrors)," 1998) more...

Miami Design District Buzzes with Culture During Design Miami 2011

Design District, Miami, FL | 11.29-12.4.2011 | by Merry Esparza

The 18 square-block Miami Design District, located just north of downtown Miami, has become a first-class destination for art, design, architecture, and fashion lovers. During the December, 2011 Art Basel Miami Beach and Design Miami/ fairs, the District's design and furniture showrooms, art galleries, fashion boutiques, and cultural spaces welcomed visitors from around the world to a week of events culminating in a VIP Night on December 1st. Highlights included Dior's chic pop-up boutique featuring Anselm Reyle’s new accessory collection; Beatriz Milhazes' bejeweled mobile commissioned by Cartier; and a historic Buckminster Fuller-Norman Foster installation. (left: Sky view from inside Buckminster Fuller's "Fly's Eye Dome") more...

Design Miami/ 2011

Meridian Avenue at 19th Street, Miami Beach, FL | 11.29-12.4.2011 | by Merry Esparza & Alan Horowitz

The pre-eminent international design show, Design Miami/, experienced a significant increase in sales and attendance at its 2011 edition which took place from November 29 to December 4th, 2011. The show attracted a record number of 29,000 visitors, bringing in its strongest sales figures to date. Now in its seventh year, Design Miami/ provides a showcase for limited-edition work from top international designers and presents cultural programming that highlights significant ideas, trends, and directions in the design field. In its prime location adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center and Art Basel Miami Beach, Design Miami/ attracts collectors, gallerists, designers, and curators from around the world. (left: "Genesis," by 2011 Designer of the Year, David Adjaye) more...

Bass Museum of Art "Erwin Wurm: Beauty Business" Exhibition

2100 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL | 11.30.2011 | by Merry Esparza

More than 4,000 art lovers flocked to Miami's Bass Museum of Art for the opening of "Erwin Wurm: Beauty Business," an exhibition produced in collaboration with Dallas Contemporary, and scheduled to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach 2011. Erwin Wurm, who lives and works in Vienna, Austria, attended the Museum's VIP reception on November 30th along with Bass Museum Board President, George Lindemann; Executive Director and Chief Curator, Silvia Karman Cubiná; Dallas Contemporary Director, Peter Doroshenko; gallerist Thaddaeus Ropac, who represents the artist in Salzburg and Paris; and Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin, who represent Mr. Wurm in New York. (left: Erwin Wurm with Lehmann Maupin Gallery Director, Rachel Lehmann) more...

Hospital for Special Surgery Autumn Benefit in Support of Medical Education

Guastavino's, 409 East 59th Street, NY, NY | 11.11.2011 | by Merry Esparza

New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) held its annual autumn gala on November 11th at Guastavino's under the 59th Street Bridge. The gala was chaired by Cynthia Sculco, and co-chaired by Renee Flug, Carol Lyden, and Antonella Salvati. Guests enjoyed an elegant cocktail reception, dinner, and musical entertainment by the Unexpected Boys, known for their award-winning tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Following dinner, guests tore up the dance floor at the Young Friends of HSS annual Late Night party chaired by Sarah Jane Sculco Gibbons, daughter of Cynthia Sculco and HSS Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director, Dr. Thomas Sculco. (left: Dr. Thomas Sculco and Cynthia Sculco) more...

DIFFA Tribute Honors David Rockwell

IAC Building, 555 West 18th Street, NY, NY | 11.09.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On November 9th, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS honored legendary architect and designer David Rockwell for his twelve years of commitment and accomplishments as DIFFA Board Chairman. Executive Director David Sheppard welcomed guests from DIFFA's support base of design industry professionals. DIFFA Board Member, actress Whoopi Goldberg hosted the program, and HIV/AIDS Activist Mary Fisher presented an award to Mr. Rockwell. Actress Kerry Butler and composer Marc Shaiman, from Catch Me If You Can, performed a musical tribute to Mr. Rockwell, who created the scenic design for the Broadway production. (left: David Rockwell, Whoopi Goldberg) more...

St. Francis Food Pantries' Celebrity Art Auction "Doodle For Hunger XII"

Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, NY, NY | 11.03.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On November 3rd, St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters held its annual Doodle For Hunger charity auction featuring original artworks, or doodles, created and signed by actors, artists, politicians, and sports icons. FOX 5 News Anchor Ernie Anastos hosted the evening which featured a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by an awards program and a live auction. The Guest of Honor was Fox News channel's Geraldo Rivera, anchor of Geraldo At Large, Senior War Correspondent, and senior columnist for Fox News Latino. Actor Tony Lo Bianco entertained live auction bidders, and New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly paid tribute to the late, legendary Daily News cartoonist, Bill Gallo. (left: Geraldo Rivera) more...

Pratt Institute 2011 Legends Awards Gala

7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, NY, NY | 11.01.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On November 1st, Pratt Institute held its Legends 2011 Scholarship Benefit, honoring artist and musician Laurie Anderson; interior designer, furniture designer, and artist Juan Montoya; and artist, filmmaker, and photographer William Wegman. More than 300 supporters attended Pratt's largest annual scholarship benefit, raising over $400,000. Since 1999 the Legend Awards have been presented each year to outstanding recipients in the art and design world whose achievements reflect Pratt's values. The gala, hosted by Pratt President Thomas F. Schutte and Board of Trustees Chair Mike Pratt, was held atop 7 World Trade Center, affording breathtaking views of New York City and its harbor. (left: Agnes Gund presents Legends 2011 Award to William Wegman. Photo: Joshua Wong.) more...

Musicians Turn Up the Heat at the Jazz Foundation's Annual Jazz Loft Party

Hudson Studios, 601 West 26th Street, NY, NY | 10.29.2011 | by Merry Esparza

It was a cold, snowy Saturday night in New York City on October 29th, but legendary jazz greats turned up the heat at the Jazz Foundation's (JFA) 20th Annual Jazz Loft Party at Hudson Studios. Sponsored by luxury timepiece producers Parmigiani Fleurier, the event featured performances by Lou Reed; Randy Weston; Tom Harrell Quintet; Omar Edwards; Ron Carter; Dr. Lonnie Smith with Donald Harrison and Herlin Riley; Black Rock Coalition Orchestra; The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band; Red Morgan; Jessy Carolina and the Hot Mess; Jimmy Norman; and more. Notable attendees included JFA Advisory Board Member, actor Michael Imperioli, singer/songwriter Roberta Flack, and choreographer/dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. (left: Lou Reed performs) more...

Ice Theatre of New York's "Dare To Be Different" Benefit Gala and Performance

Sky Rink & The Lighthouse, Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, NY, NY | 10.24.2011 | by Merry Esparza

The Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) welcomed supporters to its 2011 "Dare To Be Different" Annual Benefit Gala and Performance at the Chelsea Piers this week. The gala featured a program of dazzling ice dance choreography and performance from ITNY's 2011/2012 Season repertoire, followed by a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, and an awards ceremony at The Lighthouse. ITNY Artistic Director Moira North, and Executive Director Jirina Ribbens shared the podium to honor three-time U.S. National Champion and two-time Olympian, Johnny Weir, and benefactors Margarita Sears and Ice Rink Events.
(left: ITNY Artistic Director Moira North and Honoree Johnny Weir) more...

Morrison Hotel Gallery 10th Anniversary Gala Rocks the Cutting Room

The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, NY, NY | 10.13.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On October 13th, the Morrison Hotel Gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary as the preeminent gallery for music-related fine art photography, bringing notable exhibitions and photographs to music fans and collectors. Founders Henry Diltz, Peter Blachley, and Rich Horowitz, threw a rockin' party and benefit concert at the new Cutting Room in Manhattan. Famous music and celebrity photographers in attendance included Julian Lennon, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Ken Regan, Danny Clinch, Timothy White, and Bob Gruen. Other notable guests included actors Dominic Chianese and Danny Aiello; musicians John Sebastian and Jonathan Edwards; and former John Lennon girlfriend, May Pang. (left: Henry Diltz, Rich Horowitz, Julian Lennon, and Peter Blachley) more...