On The Red Carpet
By R. Couri Hay | Photo Contributions by Patrick McMullan
KAWS, Isabelle Bscher, Jessica Lichtenstein, Linjie Deng, Libbie Mugrabi,
Audrey Gruss, Peter Thomas Roth & Dr. Marie Hayag
Beauty is not bound to any category, it is fluid. Beauty “is in the eye of the beholder” as Margaret Wolfe Hungerford famously wrote in in her classic drama Molly Bawn published in 1878. The many different forms of beauty covered here include KAWS’ exhibition “What Party”, Linjie Deng’s Asian Art SPA, skin care mogul Peter Thomas Roth, dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag’s new beauty shop and Gloria Estefan’s performance for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Virtual Race of Hope. This issue covers beauty in all of its magnificent aspects.
KAWS: Brooklyn Museum
“KAWS: WHAT PARRTY” is the new blockbuster show at the Brooklyn Museum that follows their exciting Studio 54 installation. For over two decades Brooklyn-based artist KAWS, Brian Donnelly, 46, has interwoven the worlds of art, commerce and pop culture into his edgy graffiti drawings on advertisements, KAWS said, “When I started painting on ads, it occurred to me that the ad really set the work in a specific time. An untrained eye might not be able to distinguish the difference between the 80s and 90s. When you paint over ads, it clicks.”. The exhibition presents more than one hundred of KAWS’s intriguing works, including rarely seen graffiti drawings, paintings and mammoth sculptures, as well as monumental installations of his renowned companion figures. WHAT PARTY also features new pieces made exclusively for this retrospective. KAWS’s artwork highlights that even in cultural circumstances crafted by consumption and image, emotions such as love and loneliness persist. KAWS allows us to engage with his art both virtually and in-person in order to investigate our connection and relation to these pieces. With the Acute Art application, KAWS showcases new augmented reality works which grant visitors the ability to interact with his sculptures using their smartphones. KAWS stated, “I’ve been really lucky to be able to find people who could understand my interests and give it a chance.” The show will be up through September 5th. brooklynmuseum.org
Arnulf Rainer: Galerie Gmurzynska
Isabelle Bscher’s Galerie Gmurzynska will exhibit works by Australian artist Arnulf Rainer at her Madison Avenue townhouse.
Rainer is a key figure of Art Informel and one of the most influential living artists of our day. Isabelle has curated a large selection that represents Rainer’s different artistic periods and styles, from his early paintings to his later works. Rainer says of his work “It was only gradually as the years went by that there evolved black surfaces ad bundles of strokes in which I recognized myself.” The display will be available until June 12th. gmurzynska.com
Jessica Lichtenstein: A Perfect Storm
The interactive installation A Perfect Storm, by Jessica Lichtenstein, is downtown at the Winston Wächter Fine Art gallery. Her artistic landscapes and heart sculptures are a direct response to the conditions we are living through today – COVID pandemic, economic volatility, racial disparities and a polarizing political atmosphere. A Perfect Storm presents a series of concrete hearts overflowing with engraved golden lockets that might typically say inspirational things such as “forever” and “hope” but the artist has instead engraved naughty phrases as well as nontraditional phrases including “What’s wrong?” or “There is a crack in everything”. Guests included, Janna Bullock, Kevin Richard and Dr. Gina Sam. Lichtenstein explained “People who look at my pieces should get a sense of escapism, laugh, smile, get embedded in the story.” Check out the artist’s Instagram @jesslicht and her website @jessicalichtenstein.com. winstonwachter.com
Asian Art Spa: Linjie Deng
Art collector Libbie Mugrabi was the first to snap up a Yin Yang painting by Chinese American artist Linjie Deng, at his exhibit Asian Art Spa at Madison Avenue Carlton Fine Arts. Deng is a conceptual artist who created an edgy selection of works in response to the violence that the Asian community is facing in America. The sales from these works will be donated to Think!Chinatown, a non-profit that focuses on fostering an inter-generational community through neighborhood engagement, storytelling & the arts. Linjie’s works are juxtaposed by pieces from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Marc Chagall and Mr. brainwash. The show runs through May 15th.
Linjie’s Instagram: Linjie_deng, carltonfa.com
Micah McLaurin @ High Line Nine Gallery
One of the leading pianists of his generation, Micah McLaurin, 26, performed at the High Line Nine gallery. The Steinway Grand Piano he used was covered in appliqued flowers by Tricia Paoluccio who found her passion for pressed flower art while in quarantine. The room was also hung with photographs of her pressed flowers. Micah sported a stylish light blue suit with a matching mask that dripped with crystals by designer Zaldy Goco. Micah performed an array of pieces from classical to Lady Gaga. In the mix were Dr. Kelly Rabenstein-Donohoe, Command Educations Chris Rim and Novel Educations Tiffany Sorya. Micah challenges the stereotype of a 21st century classical musician through his talent and sense of fashion “I think the music is so expensive and emotional – it is over the top – and I think the stage and the performer’s clothing can also contribute to that.” micahmclaurin.com
Gloria Estefan & Audrey Gruss
Pualine Pitt, interior designer Scott Snyder and Frannie Scaife were among the 1,000 participants who signed up across the county for founder Audrey Gruss’s Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) Virtual Race of Hope from Palm Beach. The event raised over $350,000 to help HDRF’s find new treatments for depression. Gloria Estefan performed an emotional rendition of her song, We Needed Time, from her own living room to the on-line audience. HDRF’s next race will be held in Southampton on Sunday, August 8th, and hopefully everyone will be able to run or walk in person.
Peter Thomas Roth: PB Lunch
Lisa Kerkorian, Jean Shafiroff, Whitney Scott, Sharon Bush, Elizabeth Fekkai, Patty Raynes, Somers Farkas, Christine Schott, George Ledes and PTR’s Sarah McNamara lead the perfumed pack to Peter Thomas Roth’s lunch at Le Bilboquet in Palm Beach. The skin cream mogul introduced his newest products, including his Water Drench Glow Serum and Max Mineral SPF. Peter’s collection of over 100 products is available online and at Sephora’s across the country. Peter confided that his success is based on “Break through formulas with astonishing results.” peterthomasroth.com
Dr. Marie Hayag: Fifth Avenue Aesthetics
Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag, has just opened three luxurious spa rooms at her Fifth Avenue location. Her legendary aesthetician Kataryna Parciak is also a registered nurse who knows what state of the art products are right for each of her clients. These procedures include Oxygen Facials and Microdermabrasion Facials. Dr. Hayag has also opened an online shop called The Apothecary; Medical Grade Skincare, where she has curated a collection of 150 products from around the world including those from Peter Thomas Roth. “Modern Beauty goes beyond aesthetics. It is the confidence, radiance of spirit, and empathy that captivates those around you.”, said Dr. Hayag
mariehayagmd.com