The Goss-Michael Foundation on MTV RE:DEFINE & Billy Childish

This year, The Goss-Michael Foundation has continued its support of the annual MTV RE:DEFINE auction and gala to benefit the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Dallas Contemporary on March 24. To learn more about this year’s event, and what will be on view at the Dallas-based foundation during the art fair this April, Whitewaller spoke with co-founder Kenny Goss and executive director Joyce Goss.

WHITEWALLER: Last year during the Dallas Art Fair, you exhibited work by Paula Crown. What will be on view at the foundation during the fair this year?

KENNY GOSS & JOYCE GOSS: This year we will exhibit new works by English painter Billy Childish. We feel he will provide a terrific addition to the Dallas Art Fair, as he is an artist and so much more—an author, poet, photographer, filmmaker, singer, and guitarist. Since the late 1970s, Childish has been prolific in creating music, writing, as well as visual art. The exhibition will open on March 22 and will be on view during the entire run of the Dallas Art Fair.

WW: The MTV RE:DEFINE annual gala benefits the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Dallas Contemporary in both artistic and philanthropic ways. How has the Dallas art community been supportive of these initiatives?

KG & JG: As a co-founder of MTV RE:DEFINE in 2011, it’s been a thrill and an honor to continue as the hosts of the event and have this annual art auction and gala grow to be one of the premier fundraising events in Dallas. We are fortunate to live in a community that is both extremely generous and one that champions both the visual and performing arts. In the past five years, MTV RE:DEFINE has raised $8 million. We’ve received support from our guests and sponsors along with local artists who donate original works for the auction. It’s truly a team effort.

WW: We see that artists like Enoc Perez, Damien Hirst, Petra Cortright, Tracey Emin, and Dan Colen have participated. What are some works of note this year?

KG & JG: Our honoree, Eric Fischl, is donating an exceptional work, which will be the key item in our live auction. Renowned artists including Francesco Clemente, Wilhelm Sasnal, Bruce Weber, Emilia and Ilya Kabakov, and Cerith Wyn Evans have also kindly donated original pieces of art.

 

This article appears in Whitewaller Dallas, out next week.