More
than 400 guests attended the benefit for P.S.1
Contemporary Art Center in honor of its
30th Anniversary on October 22. The Homecoming Gala
theme evoked P.S.1's original use as one of
New York City's oldest public schools. Founder
and director Alanna Heiss started
P.S.1 in 1976 when she turned an abandoned schoolhouse
into one of the largest and most important spaces
for contemporary art. P.S.1 became affiliated with
The Museum of Modern Art in 2000.
Entertainment started
as soon as guests arrived. Homecoming portraits were
staged and shot for table buyers by renowned photographers Eric Boman, Todd
Eberle, Todd Hido, Jessica
Craig-Martin, and Billy Sullivan.
Costumes for the portrait guests were created and
organized by Cynthia Rowley. Out
in the courtyard of P.S.1, the Francis Lewis High
School Marching Band and Cheerleaders performed and
led the guests up to the gallery for dinner. The
neo-burlesque-themed dinner was extraordinary, with
Mistress of Ceremonies Ann Magnuson entertaining
the crowd. On stage with Ms. Magnuson were Dirty
Martini, World Famous Bob, Adam
Dugas, Justin Bond, Kenny
Scharf, Murray Hill, among
others. The surprise performance of the evening was
a duet by Ms. Magnuson and Rufus Wainwright.
The evening culminated in the crowning of the Homecoming
King and Queen: artists Lawrence Weiner and Marina
Abramovic.
The P.S.1 30th Anniversary Celebration
Committee is co-chaired by P.S.1 trustee and vice
chairman Lawton
Fitt and the fashion designer Cynthia
Rowley. The Homecoming Gala raised $450,000;
all proceeds from P.S.1's 30th anniversary
events support the P.S.1 Annual Exhibition Fund.
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