After scrapping its Young Collectors Council Artist’s Ball late last year, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum has introduced a new event to gather patrons and honor artists. Yesterday, the museum revealed that on Thursday, October 29, it will host the first Art Awards, a ceremony and dinner sponsored by Calvin Klein Collection and conceived by artist Rob Pruitt.
"As the impresario behind the first annual Art Awards, Rob Pruitt presents a daring new event model injected with humor that underscores his work. Pruitt's orchestration of this performative piece—with the rotunda as center stage—is aligned with the Guggenheim's mission to continue to engage and present contemporary artists," said Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum director Richard Armstrong in a press release.
The concept from Pruitt, whose performance-based work came to prominence in the 1990s, is built around the format of a traditional Hollywood awards ceremony, with the Delusional Downtown Divas as masters of ceremonies and Glenn O'Brien as the announcer. The festivities will also involve Sofia Coppola, James Franco, and Mary-Kate Olsen as presenters; musical entertainment by Matthew Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces; and a dinner menu curated by The New York Times Magazine food editor Christine Muhlke. Ovation TV will be the exclusive broadcast network.
Lifetime achievement awards will go to Joan Jonas and Kasper König; the other nine categories include nominees for artist of the year, curator of the year, exhibition outside the United States, and solo show of the year at a museum. The recipients will be presented with trophies crafted by Pruitt that resemble a bucket of champagne and double as a functioning lamp.
The event is also a fund-raiser, with proceeds to benefit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, White Columns, and Studio in a School.
