Friday Fête: Nasher Prize Gala, Brooklyn Artists Ball, and More

On April 7 in Dallas, the Nasher Sculpture Center hosted its annual Nasher Prize Gala. Honoring the 208 Nasher Prize Laureate, Theaster Gates, the night was sponsored and supported by top advocates and organizations like The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Nancy A. Nasher, David J. Haemissegger, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Regen Projects, White Cube, National Endowment for the Arts, and The Donna Wilhelm Family Fund. After remarks by Jeremy Strick (Director of Nasher Sculpture Center) and Christen and Derek Wilson (2018 Nasher Prize Co-Chairs), Nancy A. Nasher awarded Gates with this year’s award. Throughout the night, guests enjoyed live music by Joel Cross Band and Tatiana Mayfield, and a multi-course menu by Wolfgang Puck Catering.

On April 15 in Milan, Tiffany & Co. celebrated installations on display at the Piazza Duomo boutique. Working with five female artists (Anna Galtarossa, Shantell Martin, Marilyn Minter, Laurie Simmons, and Anna-Wili Highfield), the brand created installations using greenhouse structures, interpreted differently by each artist. Hosted by Reed Krakoff (Chief Artistic Officer at Tiffany & Co.), the night welcomed guests like Raffaella Banchero (CEO of Tiffany & Co. Italy and Spain) and others to mingle with some of the participatory artists in attendance—Galtarossa, Martin, and Highfield.

On April 17, the Brooklyn Museum welcomed over 700 guests for the museum’s annual fundraising gala, the Brooklyn Artists Ball, raising over $1.5 million in support of the exhibition and education programs. With a festive “Glam Rock” theme, the event was designed by David Stark to celebrate the many facets of the art world, combining the art, philanthropy, business, and music worlds. Beginning the night, guests like KAWS, Mickalene Thomas, Wes Gordon, and Marianne Boesky joined the crowd for cocktails while looking onto a dance performance. From there, dinner was hosted upstairs in the Beaux Arts Court, with the night concluding in a performance by DJ Runna, Adrian Young, DJ Kindness, and art patron and music producer Swizz Beatz.

To celebrate Marni’s inviting installation for Salone del Mobile, “Marni La Vereda” at the Viale Umbria, the brand welcomed guests to two performances on April 19 and 21 by Colombian songwriter Absalón Sinisterra. Dedicated to music that translates peace (as Sinisterra was forced to relocate to Bogotá in 2001 due to the country’s armed conflict), the music performances were held in the space, surrounded by colorful, handmade objects like willow stem baskets, papier-maché and bead hens, and loom-woven cotton materials.

On April 18, Minotti celebrated its 70^th anniversary at the Villa Reale di Monza. With an immersive installation by Migliore+Servetto Architects, the brand told the story of its history, paying tribute to the manufacturing expertise in the surrounding Brianza district. Throughout the night, guests—like Oki Sato (from nendo) and Alessio, Roberto, Renato, and Alessandro Minotti—wandered through the multi-part exhibition, full of art-meets-design pieces like oversized book stands, easels, and photo albums.