Americans for the Arts National Art Awards
Kelly Richardson, featured Artist
The National Arts Awards brings together over 500 of America’s top arts, philanthropic, and corporate leaders once a year to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have exhibited outstanding leadership in the visual and performing arts, arts education, advocacy and philanthropy. This year the honorees included Robert Redford, Salman Rushdie, Ed Ruscha, Sidney Harman and Bank of America. Kelly Richardson had the honour of being the featured artist for the event.
Featured artists in previous years have included Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Jeff Koons and Jennifer Steinkamp.
I was fortunate enough to accompany Kelly to the event held at the famous Cipriani’s restaurant on 42nd Street in New York. Free ticket, result!
On the evening Kelly’s 2006 piece entitled ‘Exiles of the Shattered Star’ was projected at least 200ft high (rough guess) behind the podium where the awards were handed out. Her 1998 piece ‘Glow’ was projected at the front of the building to greet guests as they arrived.
Other guests included Dennis Hopper, Jeff Koons, Vera Wang, Ken Burns but not Rosario Dawson. I don’t know what happened to her. She was meant to receive an award and it was advertised like that right up until the last moment. On the night there was no mention or explanation as to why she wasn’t there and since she wasn’t replying to any of my text messages and has since blocked me on facebook i still don’t have an explanation.
Just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any more surreal the President of America the Americans for the Arts, Bob Lynch (lovely guy, completely down to earth) invited us to an after show party at the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central Station.
All in all just your average monday night out in New York surrounded by A-list celebrities and Art Stars.
Robert Redford at the Americans for the Arts National Art Awards
Salman Rushdie accepting his award
Ed Ruscha interviewed
Kelly Richardson and Mark Jobe
More posing...
Congrats Kelly! What an achievement!