The celebration of Hiroyuki Nakajima's first art showcase in America could have been a disaster: there was a torrential downpour as the event was to begin, and it was held at the Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden, an open-air venue located next to the bay. But the weather cleared, and 300 people gathered inside the Zen garden for an evening full of Japanese touches, starting with geisha girl greeters.
"Nakajima is all about using the outdoor elements; it's what he's known for," said John Rosetti, owner of 2Taste Catering, whom the city hired to design and cater the event. "We kept the venue simple and sleek by using acrylic food stations uplit in red. I didn't want to make it look overdecorated in order to put the focus where it should be: on the artwork."
Four stations were interspersed with three bars among the rocks, bamboo, and greenery. Rosetti prepared an array of bites including steamed dumplings, sushi rolls, Teriyaki chicken skewers, and Teriyaki rice and vegetable salad. The stations also featured wheat grass and stacked glass vases. To match the Asian theme, servers wore bright red uniforms adorned with Asian characters.
Nakajima eventually took center stage and painted four pieces live, to the delight of the crowd. All four paintings were installed in galleries in the Wynwood District: right on time for Art Basel. To commemorate the evening, each guest received a mini photo CD from See You at the Party.com.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Photos: SeeYou at the Party.com
"Nakajima is all about using the outdoor elements; it's what he's known for," said John Rosetti, owner of 2Taste Catering, whom the city hired to design and cater the event. "We kept the venue simple and sleek by using acrylic food stations uplit in red. I didn't want to make it look overdecorated in order to put the focus where it should be: on the artwork."
Four stations were interspersed with three bars among the rocks, bamboo, and greenery. Rosetti prepared an array of bites including steamed dumplings, sushi rolls, Teriyaki chicken skewers, and Teriyaki rice and vegetable salad. The stations also featured wheat grass and stacked glass vases. To match the Asian theme, servers wore bright red uniforms adorned with Asian characters.
Nakajima eventually took center stage and painted four pieces live, to the delight of the crowd. All four paintings were installed in galleries in the Wynwood District: right on time for Art Basel. To commemorate the evening, each guest received a mini photo CD from See You at the Party.com.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Photos: SeeYou at the Party.com
Hiroyuki Nakajima premiered his artwork for the first time in the country at the Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden.
Nakajima created four paintings before the eyes of delighted guests.
2Taste Catering's sleek acrylic food stations featured wheat grass and stacked glass vases.
Guests sampled spicy tuna rolls.
Guests were served Teriyaki rice and vegetable salad from large square vases.
A bed of wheat grass made a simple serving piece for tempura lotus root.
