On Thursday night Christie’s auction house in Rockefeller Plaza hosted the star-studded 13th annual Tibet House auction to benefit Tibet House US and its goal of preserving Tibetan culture.
Founded by Dr. Robert A.F. Thurman, Tibet House US is a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy working to preserve, restore and present Tibet’s unique cultural and spiritual heritage. Dr. Thurman was joined at the auction by his wife Nena Thurman, his son (and Tibet House’s executive director) Ganden Thurman, and, of course, his daughter, actress Uma Thurman.
The event began with a cocktail hour and silent auction, during which the Thurman clan mixed and mingled with the other guests in attendance, including Arden Wohl, Stella Schnabel, Dustin Yellen, and musician Rahzel, taking ample opportunities to communicate their passion for Tibetan culture.
Mrs. Thurman described Tibet House as a “cultural embassy for Tibet in America,” one that, distinct from a political or religious institution, is solely dedicated to making sure that Tibetan culture does not disappear. Ganden Thurman admitted he was more preoccupied with encouraging people to bid on the auction items, saying that empty bid sheets were his biggest worry. He need not have worried, as there was a great deal of healthy competition during the silent auction as well as the live auction that followed, with heated bidding for the many art pieces, vacation packages, and celebrity experiences.
All in all, this year’s auction ended up raising more than $350,000 for Tibet House’s educational and cultural programs, and the Tibetan community of New York and New Jersey.
Ganden Thurman posing with the Patti Smith book he was bidding on for a friend.
Uma Thurman bidding on a photograph during the silent auction.
After the silent auction and cocktail reception, guests headed to the live auction room. This year’s auction raised more than $350,000.
