More than 50 years after construction of Philip Johnson's private residence and modern masterpiece in New Canaan, Connecticut, the Glass House is opening to the public. Now a National Trust Historic Site, the 47-acre site is available for small group tours, which are sold out for the rest of the year.
But 500 lucky guests gathered on June 23 to mark the public opening with the restaging of a 1967 picnic and Merce Cunningham Dance Company performance. Fourteen dancers traversed two stages to perform the site-specific Glass House Event while guests ate cheese, fruit, gourmet chicken salad, brioche, and brownies out of picnic baskets.The event raised money toward the purchase of four acres north of the site, which will be bought to protect against future development. Attendees, who paid a minimum of $500 for a ticket, were encouraged to explore the grounds before sitting down to lunch. Guides and volunteers staged all around the site helped lead visitors once they arrived at buildings.
When planning the inaugural gala, the Glass House team wanted an event that was tailored to the site. Executive director Christy MacLear had heard rumors of the original performance (which was followed by Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground and fireworks) and decided it would be fitting to invite them back. "It was really intriguing, especially since the original performance had been to benefit the Cunningham Dance Foundation, so it really felt like it had come full circle," said Amy Grabowski, director of external affairs.
For event planner Carolyn Jeffrey, parking was the biggest challenge. There is no parking along the road, so she rented lots at nearby schools and shuttled everyone to the site in SUVs. Weather was also a concern, as the event was to be held rain or shine. Five hundred umbrellas were at the ready, but in the end there was no need.
Jeffrey commissioned unique tickets for the event: handmade unisex rubber and sterling-silver bands created by designer Ryan Kundrat, which could be worn as either necklaces or bracelets. They were sent in advance to the guests. "I didn't want to send tickets, I didn't want to send Livestrong bracelets, and I didn't want lanyards," Jeffrey said. "It was a great way to expedite check-in as well."
Several of the original guests from 1967 returned for the gala, including Merce Cunningham himself.
But 500 lucky guests gathered on June 23 to mark the public opening with the restaging of a 1967 picnic and Merce Cunningham Dance Company performance. Fourteen dancers traversed two stages to perform the site-specific Glass House Event while guests ate cheese, fruit, gourmet chicken salad, brioche, and brownies out of picnic baskets.The event raised money toward the purchase of four acres north of the site, which will be bought to protect against future development. Attendees, who paid a minimum of $500 for a ticket, were encouraged to explore the grounds before sitting down to lunch. Guides and volunteers staged all around the site helped lead visitors once they arrived at buildings.
When planning the inaugural gala, the Glass House team wanted an event that was tailored to the site. Executive director Christy MacLear had heard rumors of the original performance (which was followed by Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground and fireworks) and decided it would be fitting to invite them back. "It was really intriguing, especially since the original performance had been to benefit the Cunningham Dance Foundation, so it really felt like it had come full circle," said Amy Grabowski, director of external affairs.
For event planner Carolyn Jeffrey, parking was the biggest challenge. There is no parking along the road, so she rented lots at nearby schools and shuttled everyone to the site in SUVs. Weather was also a concern, as the event was to be held rain or shine. Five hundred umbrellas were at the ready, but in the end there was no need.
Jeffrey commissioned unique tickets for the event: handmade unisex rubber and sterling-silver bands created by designer Ryan Kundrat, which could be worn as either necklaces or bracelets. They were sent in advance to the guests. "I didn't want to send tickets, I didn't want to send Livestrong bracelets, and I didn't want lanyards," Jeffrey said. "It was a great way to expedite check-in as well."
Several of the original guests from 1967 returned for the gala, including Merce Cunningham himself.
The Merce Cunningham Dance Company's performance was originally choreographed for a benefit held on the grounds in 1967.
Photo: David X. Prutting
Dancers from the Merce Cunningham Dance Company performed a routine originally choreographed for a benefit held on the grounds in 1967.
Photo: David X. Prutting
Guests were given a cutting board, a cheese knife, and an L.L. Bean blanket along with their picnic baskets.
Photo: Patrick McMullan
Sponsor Veuve Clicquot provided the champagne. Other sponsors included Voss water, Design Within Reach, and Oldcastle Glass.
Photo: Patrick McMullan
There were two stages, so guests could spread out while they enjoyed their picnic lunch and watched the dancers.
Photo: David X. Prutting
Bracelets commissioned for the event served as tickets. Many guests wore them as necklaces as well.
Photo: Courtesy of the Philip Johnson Glass House
Volunteers in straw hats and matching white T-shirts handed out limited-edition commemorative books.
Photo: David X. Prutting
