This Saturday, Storm King Art Center is hosting its eighth annual Summer Solstice celebration. The open-air museum is an obvious must-visit on our cultural calendar each summer, and today, it’s gearing up for a special one-night-only event filled with art, food, and fun. To kick off the afternoon, guests will embark on a private tour of the newest exhibitions, “Mark Dion: Follies” and “Outlooks: Jean Shin.”
On view through November 11, Dion’s show is the first major survey of his signature architectural projects. The artist’s investigation of the intersections between art, nature, and culture is seen with architectural “follies”—compact, decorative structures that intend to inspire meaning, rather than serve a functional purpose. The show features works from the artist including: Brontosaurus, 2016; Grotto of the Sleeping Bear, 1997/2019; Hunting Blind (The Dandy Rococo), 2018/2019; and Storm King Environmental Field Station, 2019.
Shin’s exhibition, on view through November 24, is the art center’s seventh iteration of its “Outlook” series. Part of Storm King’s effort to revitalize its Maple Allée, an important facet of its landscape, Shin chose to replace 24 of the ground’s maple trees with tupelo tress. Wood was salvaged from the many removed trees to create a monumental picnic table, entitled Allée Gathering. Timber cut from several tree trunks from the ground’s old trees are used for a large horizontal tabletop with benches—a communal space to rest and join together in conversation, observation, and reflection.
After the exhibition tour, guests will enjoy an intimate cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a delectable farm-to-table dinner under the starts by Gail Simmons. The cookbook author, special projects director at Food & Wine, and judge on Bravo’s Top Chef will be preparing seasonal dishes inspired by the local region.
“I am so honored and excited to create a special meal inspired by the stunning art and landscape of Storm King Art Center, and serve it under the stars in such a majestic setting,” said Simmons. “The menu is a playful, hyper- seasonal invitation for guests to experience the grounds and exhibitions anew. I hope the dinner will spark conversation about the works, ignite imaginations, and convey my deep love and appreciation for the Hudson Valley.”
After dinner, guests can enjoy delectable desserts and a special performance by The Dream Unfinished—the same activism-based orchestra that performed last year.
