Wall-to-Wall Cultural Capital: Inside Observer’s Art Power Index Party |
Power in the art world is often discreet—etched into museum walls, discussed over gala dinners—but this certainly wasn’t the case on Tuesday night, where pioneers of the industry and New York’s glitterati gathered in full force to celebrate Observer’s Art Power Index at Maison Nur in the Lower East Side.
Under black suit jackets and striking wall projections, gallerists, artists and award winners mingled, strategized and celebrated their achievements, interrupted only, of course, by the delicate canapés and the commencement of speeches. “In 2009, Peter Kaplan told Charlie Rose that 'Observer was meant to diagnose power,’” rang the voice of Observer’s head of editorial, Merin Curotto, from behind the DJ booth. “It was meant to be tremendous fun,” Curotto continued. “Tonight, we embody that spirit.” Scanning the room, it seemed to be just the right diagnosis—a stylish one, at that.
“Observer has chronicled the art world for over four decades,” Kristy Edmunds, director of MASS MoCA, said, perched on a velvety leopard-print sofa as the honoree portion of the evening got underway. The awards spotlighted the figures shaping how capital and vision move through today’s art world, and Christie’s CEO Bonnie Brennan was up first. Brennan wove through the crowd to collect her award from Muys Snijders, head of art services at Private Client Select, the evening’s presenting sponsor.
“This is a room full of visionaries,” Brennan........