The world’s first amusement park-themed art show makes a stellar debut at The Shed.
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. Silencio NYC. Manhattan, New York.—In urban aristocratic fashion, Tres Generaciones® Tequila, The Dean Collection, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ shut down New York City at Silencio NYC on Wednesday February 7th. Silencio NYC is the latest addition to the expansion of the coveted Private Members Club, with its origins in Paris. The exclusive celebration, “Just Because-Aquarius Edition”, honored the opening ceremony for the iconic power couple on their new exhibition GIANTS which will open its display on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the historic Brooklyn Museum.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Swizz Beatz attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila x Derrick Adams x Mickalene Thomas’ “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection on February 07, 2024 at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
The affluent guests in attendance spanned from the world of art, literature, music and high-end to urban fashion to honor the high profile couple, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys for the opening of their new exhibition, GIANTS, at Brooklyn Museum. Guests in attendance included Swizz Beatz and Silencio owner Arnaud Frisch; Comedian-Actor Evan Ross was in attendance, along with American singer-songwriter and actress Ashlee Simpson, Supermodel Joan Smalls; and artists, American visual and performance artist and curator Derrick Adams and Contemporary African-American visual artist and painter, Mickalene Thomas.
Also in attendance was Nigerian-American singer-songwriter recording artist Davido, America Rapper DSmoke, DJ and Producer Note Mercato, world-renowned and award-winning performing artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the arts and humanities Lil Buck, 3X CFDA Menswear of the Year winner Maxwell Osborne, Human Rights Activists Mysonne General and Tamika Mallory and renowned publicist Nadine Johnson and more.
Davido attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Derrick Adams at the “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
It’s important to place emphasis on the accolades and prestige of all the creatives in attendance. It speaks to the pedigree of collaborators, circles of influence and community that fuels The Dean’s passion for art and self expression. The event honored Black artists from the GIANTS Exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum. The exhibition as a collection will include works from artists Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, Nina Chanel Abney and many more.
Ashlee Simpson, Evan Ross and Richie Akiva attend The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila x “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Ever searching for inspiration, The Deans, are notable for their philanthropic appreciation of the arts in all forms and champion the philosophy of “artists supporting artists.” To back their beliefs, a large scale of the couple’s personal artistic pieces, which they have coined as ‘The Dean Collection, GIANTS’ will showcase a focused selection from the world-class holdings. The Brooklyn Museum’s presentation spotlights works by BIPOC (black and indiginious people of color) diasporic artists, which is part of Brooklyn Museums ongoing efforts to expand the art-historical narrative that shape our society. The “Just Because-Aquarius Edition” party also celebrated the birthdays of the acclaimed artists – Mickalene Thomas and Derrick Adams – whose work will be on display beginning February 10th, 2024; and with special mention to their contemporary Aquarian, Alicia Keys, who celebrated her birthday on January 25th.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Swizz Beatz attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection on February 07, 2024 at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
The opening live music set included spins by DJ Sweets. Uptempo blends and sounds were also provided by Swizz Beats himself; Swizz Beats’ official DJ, DJ Runna, Soulection DJ and Co-Founder Joe Kay, Blonde filled the corners of the velvet walls. For the Wine & spirits enthusiast, specialty Silencio NYC cocktails were curated from Tres Generaciones® Tequila collection, which included signatures sips of, ‘The Aquarius Zaza’, a smooth mix of Tres Generaciones® Plata Tequila, Pineapple Syrup, Lime, Grapefruit Soda; ‘The GIANT’, comprised of Tres Generaciones® Reposado Tequila, Triple Sec, Hibiscus Syrup, and Lime; the ‘Big Tuna’, a blend of Tres Generaciones® Anejo Tequila with a lemon twist; and finally the ‘Chilly Chill Zone’, my personal favorite of the cocktails that included the Tres Generaciones® Anejo Tequila, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Champagne.
The evening closed with the guests richly satisfied by the open bar and the decadent indulgence of the rich and smokey Tres Generaciones® Tequila and the highlight of a remarkable lifetime experience at the private club Silencio NYC celebrating greatness and prestige with prolific and impactful art and culture leaders, The Deans.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure, feels more like the tomb of a dead pharaoh than a gallery exhibition. The design is quasi-chronological, taking the viewer through Basquiat’s early life and sketches, to his Great Jones Studio and larger canvases. The exhibit is showing on the ground floor of the Starrett-Lehigh building and has been extended until 1/1/23. His two sisters are responsible for the exhibition. Their family and their relationship with Basquiat takes center stage.
I knew very little about Basquiat before King Pleasure. On display is his work, his toys, party photos, a report card, and even a recreation of his childhood living room. T.V’s play loops of his sister’s stories about their younger brother’s antics. The exhibition indicates a human far less eccentric than the legend; the references to the housing crisis, the boxing motifs, the bicycle he had to ride because cabs wouldn’t pick up the young black legend. Eventually, but instantly, the life of a black New Yorker started to speak to me through his work.
I wouldn’t waste too much time on blurbs while viewing King Pleasure. The beauty of the work and the intimacy of the exhibit made the writing about his art very frustrating. Background information and family stories are a welcome addition, but written descriptions of motifs were a real dopamine dump. When you look at Basquiat’s work and see monsters, apartments, police, and philosophers, a short blurb saying that a black artist was concerned with black issues doesn’t add anything. It felt like an explainer for someone who didn’t care about black issues.
The balance between a history exhibit and an art show is a fine line. Overexplaining is always a danger. The art and the artifacts speak volumes. A far reaching wordless commentary on society always smells like magic. I hope that more artists and their work can be entombed in as much context as King Pleasure does for King Basquiat.
New York street art pioneer Al Diaz has taken his talents to London, with the release of two exclusive edition runs. Marking his first European release, the works are socially-charged and injected with Diaz’s trademark sharp wit. Diaz created the pieces in partnership with Distassi Art, an introductory service based in the UK capital; they represent something of an encapsulation of the New Yorker’s career.
Alice + Olivia and CFDA collaborate on a Basquiat-influenced capsule collection, and the fashion world turns out for a celebration like no other.
Stacey Bendet announced collaboration with Basquiat Estate for second edition of CFDA Initiative for Young Talent.