Paint swatches hanging over
dinner tables became a surprisingly attractive decor element at a fund-raising dinner for the Tate Modern on May 8. For this, the first dinner of the American
Patrons of the Tate, the independent New York-based charity supporting England’s
renowned modern art institution, the organization’s director, Richard Hamilton,
and head of development, Virginia Cowles-Schroth, oversaw the event, enlisting
designer David Stark to create a fitting
look for the evening.
Attaching green and blue paint strips to curving rods, Stark
created chandelierlike centerpieces for the long tables that dominated the
Waterway Pavilion
Midtown’s
narrow hall. More of the
brightly colored swatches appeared as table number cards and bases for
flower
arrangements. Most elements—from the linens to the flowers—matched the
evening’s colors. Nothing was too fussy or detailed, keeping all eyes
on the centerpieces.
The night raised $1.5 million with almost 400 guests in
attendance, including Richard Tuttle, Ed Ruscha, Jeff Koons, and Chuck Close.
