Welcome to Wet Paint in the Wild, the free – and free – spin-off! – from Artnet News Pro’s beloved Wet Paint gossip column, where we give art world insiders a disposable camera to chronicle their life on the circuit. To read the last wet paint column, click here (members only).
Ahh, gala season. Another spring is upon us, and with it comes the rich and glamorous parties that cost more than my rent to attend (for a cause!). From my point of view, the Art Production Fund’s annual soiree has always been the most extravagant, thanks mainly to the association’s executive director, Casey Fremont (daughter of Vincent Fremont, the former director of Andy Warhol’s Factory).
For gala week, I thought it would be interesting to see what goes into organizing such a high-profile party. We’ll take a look…
First a visit to Rockefeller Center, this time to see Joel Gaitan’s superb “Art in Focus” installation, presented by Art Production Fund. Anthropomorphic terracotta vessels and vinyl murals by Joel pop up in public spaces, and I suggest starting your visit in the lobby of 45 Rock (entrance behind Atlas). Joel is represented by one of my favorites, Katia Rosenthal of Miami-based KDR305. The work is on view until April 23 so CHECK IT OUT.
Glad to be in town for Jasmine Wahi’s Project for Empty Space gala. I was hosted by Michi Jigarjian and got to catch up with one of my favorite art world goddesses, Isolde Brielmaier. The night was filled with inspiring speeches and brilliant women being celebrated, including my girlfriend Sarah Arison.
We transformed my parents’ apartment into WeWork before the APF gala. In one room, my father (Vincent Fremont) was preparing for Brigid Berlin’s upcoming exhibition at the Vito Schnabel Gallery, curated by Alison Gingeras.
In another room was the floor plan. Kathleen Lynch, Michelle Hellman and I organize and rearrange each gala seat for days. I love puzzles and seating a room of 330 is the ultimate. As tempting as it may be, never be the person who changes your seat assignment at an event.
Rachelle Hruska MacPherson’s birthday party at the new Cafe Chelsea seemed very fitting for my Brigid Berlin-filled week. Brigid starred in Warhol’s Chelsea Girls and was a resident of the hotel in the 60’s. The new renovation by Sean MacPherson is so beautiful.
Followed by a rock and SNL dinner with my girlfriend Madeleine Fawcett! A dream come true for a born and bred New Yorker, and it’s a no-picture zone, so that’s all I have. I will say that the dance that the set designers do who put on sketches during commercial breaks is crazy!
Gala day, and the first time I saw the giant martini olives (perfectly executed by artist Ryan Metke) for our photo moment. Complete with the Saks cocktail pick: full-size versions were found in every martini served. We’re working on every damn detail of the event.
Lutfi Janania mid-installation. We commissioned Lutfi and the team at Rosalila to create the most perfect summer camp, a sculptural floral artwork inspired by a moonlit lake for the event.
The iconic Grill lounge taken over by Maria Tash for the piercings! The gala guests could choose their jewelry and make it an unforgettable evening.
I went first.
The next day, after feeding our weary bodies with pasta, pizza and champagne, I took a long, exhausted walk into the sunset with new APF board member Vanessa Bonami, who was in town from Milan.
Still recovering from the gala, but we went to a celebratory luncheon at our home in L’Avenue with operations director Kathleen Lynch and APF board members Dan Tanzilli and Vanessa Bonami. We always order the spring rolls, and finish with the cheesecake.
Arrived in time to see the sixth hour of Miles Greenberg’s “Fountain II” performance at Pace.
My last night in New York with rooftop cocktails at Casa Cipriani with Vanessa, Michael Chuapoco and APF board member Mike De Paola.
My darling hubby picked me up from LAX and took me straight from the airport to see APF’s new project, Sanford Bigger’s Oracle at the Hammer. We have teamed up again with Marianne Boesky to present the sculpture, originally commissioned by the APF for Rockefeller Center in 2021. It will be on display at the corner of Wilshire and Glendon for a year!
Welcome to my babies. Pearl and Carl have a complicated relationship, but they will eventually become best friends.
Someone was coming home from school, so I had a companion for the day.
We had a great time working together and discovering new places to develop films in LA!
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