LongHouse Celebrates Color and Difference

By Linda Lee–

The invitations asked for “vibrant, colorful cocktail attire.” It was for the LongHouse Reserve’s celebration of two artists: Tony Bechara (abstract colorful geometric art) and Kenny Scharf (wild, cartoony, colorful paintings). And this is what they got.

First off, point of fact, New York artists, photographers and people from Albania. Black is not a vibrant color.

Serena Mecaj, Marcarson (Mark Carson), Aurora Mecaj (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

The artist Peter Olsen, the LongHouse curator Pamela Willoughby, the photographer Edgar Gonzaga (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

And the two artists being honored at the LongHouse Reserve both wore white. I mean, they are artists. It’s worse than herding cats. It’s herding artists.

Kenny Scharf (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Ok?

Now, it is understandable that the wonderful, off-the-beaten-track arts institution known as the LongHouse Reserve would make this an unusual evening. It’s the former home of the textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen. The summer benefit, which was titled “Imagine,” and raised $800,000, was filled with creative types of all stripes, art collectors, philanthropists, dancers dressed like trees, and a DJ playing Deep House on a white turntable. (Who is going to complain about noise, the frogs?)

(Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Did we say off the beaten track? Look at your WAYZ or whatever you use. Ever been there? It’s at 133 Hands Creek Road, near the Tesla Destination Charger, if that helps. Warning, the GPS signal will conk out half way there. Set your odometer. It’s on the dashboard.

A woody location, so it was apt that glasses of sparkling rose were served by white-gloved arms (Jean Shafiroff, was that you?) reaching out of a hedge.

Jodie Lichtenstein, accepting a glass of sparkling rose (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Tony Bechara is a Puerto Rican artist who got a degree from Georgetown University in Washington DC then came to New York City in the 1970s, where he has lived and worked ever since. He was board president of El Museo del Barrio for 15 years.  

Tony Bechara (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Bechara’s work is controlled and regimented, while allowing for random patterns. His artwork often is based on a grid system and explores the tension between colors. One of his pieces, “Untitled, 1996” was sold as part of LongHouse’s Artsy Art Auction.

“Untitled, 1996” Tony Bechara

Scharf grew up in LA, got his MFA in New York and in the 1980s began hanging out with Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. There is actually a term for Scharf’s art: Low Brow, because it is sourced from comic books and pop culture. There is no grid in his work. It is free flowing,  even chaotic. 

The Whitney quickly discovered him. His “When Worlds Collide” is in their permanent collection.

“When Worlds Collide” Kenny Scharf, 1986, The Whitney Museum

So Scharf and Bechara, something for everyone. And LongHouse Reserve’s annual Artsy Art Auction was a stunner this year. It appears that every piece of art, including the NFT contributed by Kenny Schachter, sold.

The artist Renee Cox (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

The organizers knew better than to try to corral guests into too much of a formal evening. For instance, there were seven buffet tables. Again, something for everyone.

Michael Zieger, Katlean de Monchy (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

The master of ceremonies was Machine Dazzle (Matthew Flowers), a costume designer who must have changed outfits three times during the event.

Machine Dazzle (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

We saw one of our favorite people, Dianne Benson, who is president emerita of LongHouse, and Suzy Slesin, design arbiter, with Sherri Donghia, of the Donghia design empire. (We wanted to ask Sherri about the Trump apartment in Trump Towers, the original commission her cousin, Angelo Donghia did, but were afraid.)

Nina Gillman, president of the board of directors; benefit chair Anne Erni, Sherri Donghia, a board member. (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Linda Macklowe was there, and so was Robert Wilson, apparently resting up for his Watermill extravaganza next weekend.

Dianne Benson, LongHouse President Emerita, and Robert Wilson (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Other guests included the (I guess he is no longer Miami’s Wunderkind) Daniel Arsham, Dan Brodsky, West Chin, Michele and Marty Cohen, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane. I think Stewart switched jackets with the artist John Haubrich.

Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley (Photo Jared Siskind for PMC/Getty)

Also at the benefit: Angie Cordish, Suzi Cordish, Renee Cox, Edwina von Gal, Tony Ingrao, Laurie Lambrecht, Mark Mennin, Jean Park, Faith Popcorn, Betsy Pinover Schiff, Lee Skolnick, Stanley Stair, Pamela Willoughby, as well as board members Patrick Amato, Louis Bradbury, Emma Clurman, Christopher Coy, Dr. Derick T. George, Nina Gillman, Michael Jones, Mark Levine, Raisa Lopez-Rhoden, Peter Olsen, Deborah Nevins, Gael Towey, Linda Willett, Patti Trainor-Wrazej, James Zajac, and Longhouse President Emerita Dianne Benson.

It was one of the best events of the season, for those who could find it. For those who got lost, well, better luck next year.