Art Basel’s Bests Part II

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On December - 31 - 2013

 

3. JC - The Perez familyBy:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

PAMM’s Premiere Gala 

If you build it- they will come…and marvel, dance, dine and rejoice in Miami’s “crowning jewel” art museum- designed by famed Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.  Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) celebrated its debut with party after party, an official ribbon cutting and an over-the top gala- unmatched in its grandeur and elegance.  On December 7, seven hundred fifty art world VIPs, and civic and philanthropic leaders celebrated the opening of the Premiere PAMM Gala, which raised more than $2 million for the new museum’s public programming. The party began as the sun was setting, with guests filling the museum’s exciting galleries, enjoying the floor-to-ceiling water views, scrumptious bites from the museum’s signature Stephen Starr restaurant and sipping cocktails and Champagne on the terrace, before entering the enormous tent, that had been decorated with gorgeous crystal chandeliers, and tables topped with hundreds of flowers-roses and brilliantly-hued orchids in silver vases. The dance party began immediately, as the crowd took to the dance floor before the special welcome by Pérez Art Museum Miami Board Chair Aaron Podhurst, who presented Jorge Pérez with a sculpture by Michele Oka Doner in honor of his leadership through the museum’s construction phase and his continued generous gifts of cash and art.  

Guests took a break from the revelry to listen to inspiring words by Jorge Perez and feast on a four-course dinner by Stephen Starr.  The highlight of the evening was when Grammy-award winning artist Marc Anthony, a close, personal friend of Perez’s, took over the stage to perform a concert for over an hour- which included many of his famous Salsa hits, combined with a stellar rendition of “Hotel California” to the thrill of an already delighted crowd.  The party continued on the museum terrace with a dessert and cocktail after party (yes, even MORE desserts were served!).  

Constance and Mike Fernandez, Susana and Alberto Ibargüen, Dorothy and Aaron Podhurst, Jacquelyn Soffer and Craig Robins, and Ricardo Restrepo and Lee Brian Schrager served as Gala co-chairs for the PAMM Gala which was presented by: Marc Anthony, Maggie and Armando Codina, Itaú, Jade Signature, Stuart Miller, Carol and John Moriarty, and Kara and Stephen Ross. It was sponsored by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/US Trust, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Mercedes-Benz, Town & Country, Neiman Marcus, Regalia, and Southern Wine & Spirits of America.  Notable guests in attendance included:  Darlene and Jorge Perez, Aaron Podhurst, Marc Anthony, Elle MacPherson, Martha Stewart, Bruce Weber, Nan Bush, Ranjana and Naeem Khan, and Town & Country publisher, Jennifer Bruno. 

 

De Nolet and Ketel One Bring out the Stars 

Ketel One Vodka debuted- De Nolet, an installation of the brand’s distillery in Holland which featured a life-sized copper windmill during Art Bassel.  The evening was co-hosted by photographer Randall Slavin who unveiled photographs of celebrities such as Zoe Saldana, Eva Longoria, Charlize Theron, and Ben Stiller. The exhibit drew several stars, who sipped Ketel One cocktails, and mingle with Slavin.  Eva Longoria, with new boyfriend Antonio Baston, in tow, arrived in a silver Ferrari.  Upon seeing Longoria enter, Kevin Spacey ran over and wrapped her in a warm embrace. Other guests in attendance included Larsa Pippen, who asked Randall to shoot the Pippen family’s next family portrait.

 

KIWI Arts Group Party 

Calvin Klein, Jane Holzer, Debbie Harry, Patrick McMullan and Martina and Fabian Basabe hosted a special evening in the Miami Design District on Thursday, December 5.  The three-gallery exhibit presented by the KIWI Arts Group featured the works of William John Kennedy, “The Hilton Brother,” Christopher Makos + Paul Solberg, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, and never-before-seen drawings by Andy Warhol. Guests had the opportunity to wear Google Glass to participate in an interactive experience with David Datuna’s latest series “Viewpoint of Billions” and to bid on one-of-a-kind art pieces.

 

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