The ancient Aztecs influenced more than Mexico—the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s new exhibit “The Aztec Empire” also served as the inspiration for the institution’s fall gala. The flavors, sights, and sounds of Mexico filled the museum for its biggest annual event—it raised $600,0000—and welcomed guests including artists Francesco Clemente and Jeff Koons, as well as board members, benefactors, business leaders, and art collectors.
The museum’s director of special events, Gina Rogak, worked with event designers Bronson and Mary Lynn van Wyck of Van Wyck & Van Wyck to conjure up a dazzling Mexican look for the gala. The Peter B. Lewis Theater was transformed into a dining room for the evening—a platform was built over the seating area—and turquoise linens covered the tables accompanied by alternating gold and deep red chair covers. Centerpieces were heavy with tropical flora, and included blood red dahlias, orchids, amaryllis, and sprigs of red berries. The perimeter of the theater was lined with areca and fantail palms. Bentley Meeker lit the room, giving the ceiling a cool celestial effect. For the cocktail reception, another piece of Mexican flair was a cage of live parrots.
For an authentic taste of Mexico, Patricia Quintana, chef and owner of Izote in Mexico City, designed the menu for Restaurant Associates, which included a dinner of shrimp with serrano chile essence, squash blossom soup, pan-seared red snapper, refried beans in a banana leaf boat, and sautéed green and yellow beans with sweet corn relish. Dessert was chocolate mousse with whipped cream served with tequila.
After dinner, guests made their way back to the rotunda for an after-party sponsored by Pommery Pop. Restaurant Associates furthered the Mexican theme by passing hot chocolate and coffee and laying out a dessert buffet that included miniature churros with a dark chocolate sauce, spiced chocolate truffles, and pineapple, mangos, and strawberries with hibiscus sauce.
—Mark Mavrigian
Read our coverage of last year's event...
The museum’s director of special events, Gina Rogak, worked with event designers Bronson and Mary Lynn van Wyck of Van Wyck & Van Wyck to conjure up a dazzling Mexican look for the gala. The Peter B. Lewis Theater was transformed into a dining room for the evening—a platform was built over the seating area—and turquoise linens covered the tables accompanied by alternating gold and deep red chair covers. Centerpieces were heavy with tropical flora, and included blood red dahlias, orchids, amaryllis, and sprigs of red berries. The perimeter of the theater was lined with areca and fantail palms. Bentley Meeker lit the room, giving the ceiling a cool celestial effect. For the cocktail reception, another piece of Mexican flair was a cage of live parrots.
For an authentic taste of Mexico, Patricia Quintana, chef and owner of Izote in Mexico City, designed the menu for Restaurant Associates, which included a dinner of shrimp with serrano chile essence, squash blossom soup, pan-seared red snapper, refried beans in a banana leaf boat, and sautéed green and yellow beans with sweet corn relish. Dessert was chocolate mousse with whipped cream served with tequila.
After dinner, guests made their way back to the rotunda for an after-party sponsored by Pommery Pop. Restaurant Associates furthered the Mexican theme by passing hot chocolate and coffee and laying out a dessert buffet that included miniature churros with a dark chocolate sauce, spiced chocolate truffles, and pineapple, mangos, and strawberries with hibiscus sauce.
—Mark Mavrigian
Read our coverage of last year's event...
Van Wyck & Van Wyck were inspired by the Guggenheim’s “The Aztec Empire” exhibition, taking on bold Mexican colors of turquoise, gold, and red. Tables were adorned with lush centerpieces that included rich red flowers such as amaryllis, dahlias, and orchids.
Bentley Meeker lit the ceiling for the dinner in the Peter B. Lewis Theater, giving it a cool celestial effect.
Reminiscent of sites of Aztec ruins, the dining area had vines and tropical plants billowing over its balcony and lining the perimeter of the room. (Photo: Virginie Blachere/Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation)
Los Lobos performed after dinner in the museum’s rotunda, capping off the night with the band’s Mexican-influenced music. (Photo: Virginie Blachere/Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation)
