Art historian Mar Morosse is recreating the 18th-century salon for the Hamptons. “In the Louis XVI Rococo era,” she told me, “women would invite their friends to evenings filled with art, music and poetry. There would be discussion, food, drinks and in general, fun. It’s something I always wanted to build.”
Finally she and husband William did — literally. They renovated the barn on their property, created an art gallery type space and began throwing dinner parties for friends tied to art and culture. They exhibited artists they liked at soirees for collector friends. For the last one, they even built a stage, and hired flamenco dancers Sonia Olla & Ismael Fernandez — who also perform at the Met. All done in honor of a special exhibition of Spanish Royal Academy artist Pierre D’Argyll’s mixed media portraits.
We walked into a lavish lobster buffet almost as long as the table. The great reveal: Portraits by Pierre of everyone invited framed the room. D’Argyll had spent two months working on them. Then he gave us all our portraits.
Morosse, who hails from a notable family in Spain, has curated for the Louvre, Prado, and the royal collection of HRH King Juan Carlos. She taught at Universities in Madrid, London, Paris, Florence and Hamburg, has a PhD in Architectural History from the Sorbonne, and a second in Art History from the Complutense University of Madrid. She also speaks five languages … as one does.
“We wanted to create a bridge from the Hamptons to Spanish culture, to create a dialog between insiders and outsiders,” she told me of the evening’s concept. “We liked the idea of our guests having dinner surrounded by their portraits and experiencing a flamenco performance as they would in Madrid, over tapas and wine.
“Pierre is French living in Spain. He doesn’t know the Hamptons. This was out of the norm for him as well.”
Being with Mar isn’t out of the norm for D’Argyll. He’s her brother-in-law. Mar’s sister, Silvia Sánchez-Ramón, is head immunologist at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos and President of the Spanish Society of Immunology.
And the stage William had constructed for the night? “We’re keeping it up,” he proclaimed relishing his new impresario role. “We’re going to do more.”
As the dog days of summer wind down, my own dog wants to do more as well. Where was my portrait he seemed to wonder, when I brought mine home.
Not to worry, Miami artist Carol Fryd, his grandmother, gifted him with her own computer art.
Yes, I have neglected the dog run for my own running around. But, feel lucky, Baci, there are hungry, homeless animals that deserve better. NYC Second Chance Rescue — founded by Jennifer Brooks and Lisa Blanco — is working on their behalf.
Their 3rd Annual Hamptons Benefit “Concert for a Cause” honored Alexa Ray Joel. Brandon Colón hosted. Fat Joe performed. Lawrence Scott Events produced. DJ DIMATTEO kept the dance party going.
Notable Attendees included: Alexandra Daddario, Andrew Form, Jennifer Brooks, Lisa Blanco, Lisa Rose, Kate McEntee, Jennifer Parker, Eddie Shapiro, Brett Icahn, Erin Christoff, Elizabeth Bowden, Jean Shafiroff, James Marzigliano, Kingsley Crawford, Julia Haart, Jeffrey and Allie Stedman.
Sponsors were: Nest Seekers International, Lawrence Scott Events, Hampton Jollys, Goodman Law Group, McCall Risk Group, Mhz Global and Common Ground East.
To adopt, foster, donate or volunteer visit www.nycsecondchancerescue.org.
To get the message across to Baci, we reached out to animal communicator Adele Kristianson. Psychic readings — whether I listen to them or not — are a guilty pleasure. In this one, my last fur baby, Lola, came through. “Please be reminded that Baci did not get the agreement memo to serve or be obedient,” she told me. “Let Baci run, play and bark, and he will make his own decision to comply.”
I may not be the most revered master in my home, but Keiko Aoki welcomed one into hers. Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, the First Female Siddha Master and Himalayan Great Saint, held a unique session for people to learn some of the Himalayan teachings and receive a special blessing from the Siddha master herself.
Yogmata Keiko Aikawa has worked with First Families from several countries, including Japan, so it was a rare opportunity for believers, and would-be believers, who also were bestowed with their own mantra.
During the forthcoming 79th Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) opening in New York City this September, Yogmata Keiko Aikawa will lead a 90-second prayer for World peace at both the F4D’s 4th Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet on September 23rd and 12th Annual First Ladies Luncheon on September 24th, 2024.
That evening was another type of salon, to be sure.
These days, we need all the prayers we can get. Just as I was advised to accept Baci shredding paper napkins all over my house, let’s all live and let live.
Prayer, saving animals, gifting art — appealing to our higher selves — these are steps in the right direction. Hopefully towards a more peaceful place.
