The New York Academy of Art's Take Home a Nude silent art auction at Christie's offered quite an eyeful--and not all of it was hanging on the walls. The academy brought in a group of models who posed near the event's entrance wearing nothing but some pink body paint and shiny eye masks. Although the male and female models held up signs reading "New York Academy of Art" and "Take Home a Nude," that didn't provide much coverage.
Most guests--a mix of society and art types, and more than a few Chloe Sevigny look-alikes--politely looked away, and paid more attention to the pieces on the walls--many of them nudes, of course--by established visual artists, as well as some folks not known for their paintings, including David Bowie, Carolina Herrera and Keith Richards. The works were auctioned to benefit the academy, which finds itself especially in need of funds after a fire broke out in its building the week before the event. (The academy was supposed to host its own event, but Christie's helped after the fire.)
The food and liquor for the event were donated by restaurants and beverage companies including Canteen, Fresh Samantha, Grey Goose Vodka, Layla, Orsay, Provence and the 21 Club.
PR for the event was by Muse Public Relations, the young firm started by fashion flacks Jackie Mangione and Celeste Miller, who came from PR stints with Anne Klein and Cynthia Rowley, respectively.
--Chad Kaydo
Most guests--a mix of society and art types, and more than a few Chloe Sevigny look-alikes--politely looked away, and paid more attention to the pieces on the walls--many of them nudes, of course--by established visual artists, as well as some folks not known for their paintings, including David Bowie, Carolina Herrera and Keith Richards. The works were auctioned to benefit the academy, which finds itself especially in need of funds after a fire broke out in its building the week before the event. (The academy was supposed to host its own event, but Christie's helped after the fire.)
The food and liquor for the event were donated by restaurants and beverage companies including Canteen, Fresh Samantha, Grey Goose Vodka, Layla, Orsay, Provence and the 21 Club.
PR for the event was by Muse Public Relations, the young firm started by fashion flacks Jackie Mangione and Celeste Miller, who came from PR stints with Anne Klein and Cynthia Rowley, respectively.
--Chad Kaydo