Thursday, April 10, 2019. A beautiful, sunny day in New York yesterday, with temps in the mid-to-high 50s. Although when they hit the low-to-mid 70s earlier in the week, was more my speed.
One of the big shows on the social circuit this week was the Museum of Arts and Design’s “LOOT: MAD About Jewelry Opening Benefit on Monday night at the museum. This is a cocktail, shopping and awards dinner at this wonderful museum that sits on the southern part of Columbus Circle, overlooking the Park, Central Park West and Broadway north. It’s also their annual exhibition and sale of one-of-a-kind contemporary jewelry.
The evening started with a cocktail reception at the MAD exhibit to meet the artists and have an opportunity to a preview and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces. Benefit guests received first dibs to LOOT shopping. After cocktails, guests were escorted upstairs to MAD’s Robert Restaurant for a scrumptious meal of Scotch Salmon, desserts and a short program. MAD’s New director Chris Scoates welcomed guests and expressed his excitement at his first LOOT.
Joan Hornig, a former LOOT honoree, introduced her longtime friend and 2019 honoree Adria de Haume. Adria expressed her gratitude in her speech proclaiming that, “Art is the answer to so much that is wrong in the world right now.”
Chair Emeritus Barbara Tober then took the stage to express her admiration and praise for Josi Natori who responded in a typically short speech, “I am lucky after four decades that I am doing what I love, art.”
Then Marsy Mittlemann announced the winners of the Acquisition Prize, Mariko Kusumoto and Joo Hyung Park. A special thank you went out to sponsor Paolo Costagli who helped make LOOT possible.
Among those attending, Mickey Ateyeh, Marika and Neil Bender, Young Yang Chung, Audrey Cohen, as well as, MAD chairman Michele Cohen, Isabelle Harnoncourt Feigen, Carole Bailey French and John French III, Joan and George Hornig, Jacqui Lividini, Marsy Mittlemann, Barbara de Portago, Robi Queen, Peter and Barbara Regna, Tom Roush, MAD Director Chris Scoates, Allyson Tang, chair Emeritus Barbara Tober and her husband Donald Tober, Kay Unger, Harriet Weintraub and Lynn Yaeger.
There was a big LOOT 2019 Opening Benefit Host Committee (gets results!): Susan Ach, Iris Apfel, Davina Benshetrit, Caroline Blackman, Noreen Buckfire, Marian C. Burke, Kathy Chazen, Michele Cohen, Paolo Costagli, Stacy Creamer, Emily Cutler, Marcia Docter, Patti Dweck, Beth Farber, Sandy Grotta, Joon Han, Jan Huling, Barbara Jacobs, Ann Kaplan, Wendy Tarlow Kaplan, Jane Koryn, Laura Kruger, Luisa LaViola, Bonnie Levine, Pam Levine, Tina Livanos, Jackie Martin, Stacey Mayrock, Ella McHugh, Robert Lee Morris, Edie Nadler, Michelle Perr, Linda Plattus, Andi Potamkin, Barbara Regna, Heidi Rigney, Deborah Roberts, Lela Rose, Jill Ryan, Bette Saltzman, Gail Shields-Miller, Angela Sun, Ted Taylor, Barbara Tober, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Kay Unger, Barbara Waldman, Janet Winter, Marcia Celis Wirth, Pamela Workman, Jan Wysocki, and Lynn Yaeger.
LOOT 2019 is open to the public through this Saturday, April 13th. The exhibition showcases the work of 55 emerging and acclaimed international jewelry artists and designers — most of whom have never been shown in New York. It’s a rare opportunity for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts to meet and acquire pieces from some of the most innovative creators in the field. And as an art form, it provides vital support for Museum exhibitions and programs.
55 artists from eighteen countries and territories are featured. These include Austria, Belgium, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the United States, and the US Virgin Islands. They bring a diverse range of artistic practices. the jewelry on display encompasses a wide array of materials, from traditional metals to more unconventional media like leather, glass, porcelain, paper, silicone, resin, textiles, wood, horsehair, recycled skateboards, and ultraviolet-reactive nylon.
Paolo Costagli New York returns as corporate sponsor. The fine jewelry brand recognized for its sophisticated, modern, and distinctly bold designs, will debut Onde, its new collection of 18kt gold and diamond jewelry. The Ondecollection, inspired by the waves of the Venetian Lagoon, introduces a variety of rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Featuring Paolo Costagli’s signature bold geometrics with a touch of fluidity, the collection presents effortlessly chic precious jewelry fit for all occasions, from everyday wear to a formal soirée.
Since the Museum’s founding in 1956 by philanthropist and visionary Aileen Osborn Webb, MAD has celebrated all facets of the creative processes by which materials are transformed. Today, the Museum’s curatorial program builds upon a rich history of exhibitions. MAD provides an international platform for practitioners who are influencing the direction of cultural production, and driving 21stcentury innovation. It objective is to foster a setting for visitors to have direct encounters with skilled making and compelling works of art and design.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION AND SALE HOURS
Tuesday, April 9: 10 am to 6 pm Wednesday, April 10: 10 am to 6 pm Thursday, April 11: 10 am to 9 pm Friday, April 12: 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, April 13: 10 am to 6 pm
Entrance to LOOT is included in the price of Museum admission: $16 general; $14 for seniors; $12 for students; free for MAD members and children under 18 years of age. To purchase tickets online, visit madmuseum.org/visit.
For more information, visit madmuseum.org.
Photographs by Neil Rasmus/BFA.com & Jenna Bascom Photography
