Posted on November 21, 2013
Agnes Gund, Christo | Photography Madison McGaw/BFANYC.com
Usually, a room full of curators means they are celebrating something else—a museum gala, an artist, an opening. But last night at the annual Independent Curators International Benefit & Auction, held to support the 38-year old organization, it was all about the people who bring the art, the show-spaces, and artists together in the first place. Miuccia Prada and Germano Celant were honored with the Leo Award, named for art dealer Leo Castelli, presented for their championing of contemporary art.
The evening started with cocktails and a silent auction—though not a subtle one, as new bids were projected on the walls like stock market tickers. With it, guests including Marina Abramović, Dasha Zhukova, and Agnes Gund watched prices for artworks by Dan McCarthy, Yoko Ono, Claire Fontaine, and more creep up during cocktails. The classical music artist, Amadéus Leopold, soon to perform at the after party, could be seen warming up in sweeping, black robes nearby.
The live auction, held at dinner, intensified the air of anticipation, as Sotheby’s Alexander Rotter took bids for works by the likes of John Baldessari and Dustin Yellin, who was also in attendance.
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