Watermill Center Summer Benefit and Auction, via Art Observed
The 22nd Edition of the Watermill Center’s Annual Summer Benefit took place this past weekend, honoring long-time Watermill supporter and philanthropist Inga Maren Otto. This year, the gala’s theme was “Circus of Stillness… power over wild beasts”. Hosted by Robert Wilson, it brought together works of art and performance from some 25 countries, with over one thousand attendees. The evening raised a total of over $1.9 million dollars towards Watermill Center’s Artist Residency Program, International Summer Program, and other educational events for its artists.
While passing through the woods and center grounds, attendees were offered cocktails and invited to view the works by artists including Cleon Peterson, Gary Garay, and Radamés ‘Juni’ Figueroa. In one work, men lay under a watermelon patterned blanket, while nearby a woman in tin foil watched, flanked by an over-sized polar bear sculpture, along with a spirited live performance by Sierra “Rosie” Casady of CocoRosie.
Shot of Christophe de Menil, via Art Observed
Radames (Juni) Figueroa, Bed Paintings, via Art Observed
The evening also saw an auction event with a number of works on sale from a number of prominent artists to benefit the center mission. Highlights of this year’s auction include artworks by Annie Leibovitz, Marian Abramovic, Uta Barth, and Bing Wright.
Art Observed was on site for the event, and captured these photos.
Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction, via Art Observed
Jack Pavlik, Zero Sum Sitting, via Art Observed
Gary Garay, Paleta Wall, via Art Observed
Mette Sterre, Altra Motion Quartz, via Art Observed
Unknown performance in Rolls Royce, via Art Observed
Luke Smithers, Boy with Fish, via Art Observed
Performance by Sierra “Rosie” Casady, via Art Observed
Adriana Dinulescu, Nature’s Hot Spot, via Art Observed
Shay Arick, Given, via Art Observed
Shay Arick, Given, via Art Observed
Joanna Rodriguez-Noyola, Sleep Tight, via Art Observed
Jokubas Nosovas, Canvas Dance, via Art Observed
Matty Davis, Amidst Endless Repetition, via Art Observed
Inga Aleknavičiute, White Bears, via Art Observed
Khesrau Behroz, Is it because I lied when I was 17?, via Art Observed
Brian O’Mahoney, Todo el Mundo es Kitch, via Art Observed
Barrsheadahl’s Live Performance, via Art Observed
Ann Mirjam Vaikla, Silencium, via Art Observed
Oree Holban, The Wholesome Performer in the Woods, via Art Observed
Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction, via Art Observed
Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction, via Art Observed
Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction, via Art Observed
— C. Huang
