The Watermill Center held its 22nd annual summer benefit and auction “Circus of Stillness,” on July 25 in the East End. The event brought together over 1,200 distinguished guests from the worlds of theater, art, fashion, and design. Guests included Daniel Arsham, Bob Colacello, and Brooke Shields. This year’s benefit honored international philanthropist and long time supporter of the Watermill Center, Igna Maren Otto and was hosted by Robert Wilson. The benefit raised $1.9 million dollars to support the center’s year-round artist residency programs, an educational and collaborative program for young and emerging artists to explore and develop their new work.
Guests were greeted by large 10-foot, red wooden figures by LA artist Cleon Paterson, cloud sculptures by Arsham, and over two dozen site-specific instillations by the participants of the 2015 International Summer Program. Other notable installations were two murals by Chilean graffiti artists Basko Vazko. Gary Garay’s transformed the western façade of the center with over 1,000 pasted images. Puerto Rican artist Radamés “Juni” Figueroa’s series of self portraits on canvas covered sleeping performers. Sierra “Rosie” Casady from the duo of CocoRosie entertained guests alongside their band, and “Rosie” also participated in other performances.
Guests enjoyed delectable bites and tasted fine wines during happy hour. During dinner, guests were treated to performances by members of the contemporary circus ensemble Cirkus Cirkör. Afterwards, a silent and live auction were held and included a sale of 125 artworks by artists like Tseng Kwong Chi, Tania Bruguera and Arthur Carter. Veteran auctioneer, Simon de Pury, conducted the live auction and the silent auction was done in collaboration with Artsy. Finally, guests indulged in desserts and danced the night away with DJ Flaxo.
The Watermill Center founded by “avant-garde visionary,” Robert Wilson, which is an interdisciplinary meeting of the minds across the arts and humanities. Located on Long Island’s East End, the Watermill Center supports young and emerging artists in its year round artist residency program, International Summer Program, education programs, and open rehearsals. The Center also holds exhibitions and tours of the 20,000-square foot building, which is open to the public.
