On Monday, November 14th we were on the scene in Columbus Circle for The Museum of Arts and Design’s most anticipated event of the year: MAD Ball. The gala honored Jeffrey Gibson and Cristina Grajales with a special tribute to Jerome A. Chazen (in memoriam).
Tim Rodgers, MAD’s Nanette L. Laitman Director, welcomed guests before a conversation between Christian Larsen, MAD Windgate Research Curator, and Cristina Grajales in The Theater at MAD. Cocktails were held in the Luminaries Lounge, specially designed with items from the Shantell Martin x HOEK limited-edition collaboration and featuring music by DJ Timo Weiland.
Guests were invited to browse open exhibitions including Queer Maximalism x Machine Dazzle, Chris Schanck: Off-World, and Jewelry Stories, and participate in art-making activities such as fabricating masks with Lexy Ho-Tai, creating brooches with Aimee Petkus, and making jewelry charms with Ashley Khirea Wahba and Ada Chen, in partnership with NYC Jewelry Week.
This event is renowned for the attendees’ eclectic sartorial attire, and the evening did not disappoint. Bold and expressive colors were the night’s theme as creative guests showcased their prodigious ability to be eccentric.
New York comedian, beloved cabaret performer, and actor Murray Hill, hosted the benefit ceremony at the museum’s ninth floor restaurant, Robert, overlooking Central Park.
“When I was growing up in Pereira, a small city in the coffee region of Colombia, I never expected that I would be standing in front of all of you at the Museum of Arts and Design,” said Cristina Grajales, upon receiving her award from celebrated art collector and philanthropist, Beth Rudin DeWoody. After being introduced by art business advisor Colleen Keegan, Jeffrey Gibson shared, “Being honored by MAD for my work and practice is incredibly meaningful for me. The Museum has shown me support for more than a decade and was the first to show the very first punching bag sculpture in Changing Hands 3 in 2012. I am grateful to have shared this night with my husband, many supporters, and collectors of my work.”
Led by MAD Board Chair Michele Cohen, the evening included a special memorial tribute to Jerome A. Chazen, MAD Chairman Emeritus, who passed away on February 6. In attendance were Chazen’s wife, Simona Chazen, and their children, Louise Chazen Banon, Kathy, and David Chazen. MAD Chairman Emeritus Lewis Kruger, joined by his wife, Laura Kruger, was celebrated with a cake for his birthday.
Funds raised at MAD Ball, including the proceeds from this auction, help support the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
