The monochromatic works on display span Wilson’s career from 1989 to 2013.
On October 1, the National Arts Club and its Fine Arts Committee held an opening reception in honor of its first major exhibit of the fall season. The famed experimental theater director and avant-garde artist Robert Wilson was awarded the National Arts Club Medal of honor for Achievement in Fine Arts at a private ceremony, where he joined the ranks of notable recipients as Eleanor Roosevelt, Salvador Dali, Chuck Close and Jeff Koons.
Between 6 and 8 p.m., guests arrived at the historic Gramercy Park location to view the collection over wine and hors d’oeuvres.
“I am delighted to put these works on show,” said Robert Wilson. “Delving into my archives to create Black & White was a great experience, and I like the juxtaposition of these very modern pieces displayed in the National Arts Club, which is such a historical venue.” Dianne B. Bernhard, Chair, Fine Arts Committee, National Arts Club, comments, “Robert Wilson is one of the rare artists who can work across various mediums without being cemented to any. It is an honor and a privilege to present this complex and captivating series to New Yorkers.”
The video portrait of opera singer Renée Fleming is a luminary eye catcher. It’s complemented by a collection of designs and sculptures including the Bessie Smith Breakfast Chair from Wilson’s 1989 collaboration with poet Allen Ginsburg, the Kafka II Chair, the Clementine Hunter Rocker and the Headrest for St. Theresa, among others. Since the ’60s, Robert Wilson’s signature use of light have shaped the look of theater and opera. The originality of his visions come to life as he takes the simplicity of things around him and creates classical scenic designs.
The Black & White collection will be on view through October 24,2015.
Additional guests spotted at the event included: Robert Yahner, Alex Rosenberg, Angela Bernhard Thomas, Chris Poe, Elizabeth Cohen, R. Couri Hay, John Olsen, Hillary Weldon, Janna Bullock, Sara Cline, Antoinette Deluca, Alexandra DeBourcy, Ignacio Guerrero, Rebecca Spinac, John Delmar, Barbara Ruchames, Sandra Rutkowski, Bart Darby, Marion Darby, Ted Andrews, Grabriela Vazquez, Dianna Vargas, Javier Erevalo, Alice Dana, Jennifer Dinsmore, Hermione Hoby, Michael Barron, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Edgar Batista, and Marina Aaron.
