BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. New York

City Art

For its annual fund-raising dinner, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council used New York-inspired installations from alumni to decorate the raw space of 7 World Trade Center.

Danielle Douglas
May 8, 2008
Avant-garde installations capturing the structure and color of New York City decorated the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s fourth annual Downtown Dinner last night. Some 650 art patrons filled the 52nd floor of 7 World Trade Center, where the bird’s-eye view of the city accentuated the Manhattan-inspired exhibits.

A former participant in the council's residency program, McKendree Key, created a hanging grid made of yellow mason twine that covered the expanse of the dining area. The display played on the city’s symmetrical design, with horizontal strings spaced five feet apart met by intersecting vertical lines. Adjacent to this, Katie Holten, another program alum, showcased “Old News,” a composition of papier-mâché tree trunks seemingly rooted in the floor’s concrete, reminiscent of city sidewalks. And across the room stood current resident Mary Mattingly’s “Kart,” a winged bicycle stacked with an endless stream of packages that literally hit the ceiling.

The nonprofit's director of development, Elaine Bowen, and its marketing and communications manager, Savannah Gorton, combed through dozens of artists’ portfolios before the three artists were chosen. And inspired by the color palette of yellow and gray in the invitation for the event, the team looked to work it into the decor. Bowen hired producer Bruce Rayvid of Bruce Rayvid Projects—who suggested playing up McKendree’s piece with an overall theme of connectivity—to execute the vision with help from designer Susan Holland.The yellow string grid not only served as an eye-catching centerpiece, but also complemented the color palette of the overall decor. Under the display, unadorned gray chairs enclosed square and circular dining tables, dressed with lemon-colored fabric. Opposite this area, square white sofas sat in the cocktail quarter, where several drink posts stood topped with trays of vodka and thyme concoctions. Creative Edge served guests the tangy cocktails, a specialty drink from sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka, along with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres.

For entertainment, the Guerilla Dance Team, a troupe dressed like partygoers, surprised the audience when they broke into a routine in the middle of the crowd. And performance artists group Tryst provided guests with binoculars to point out their homes in the distance. Once the locales were approximated, the artists wrote the residents’ name and address on luggage tags, then taped them to the windows. Vintage DJ spun an eclectic mix of ‘60s hits, followed by a performance by violinist Lorenzo Laroc shortly before dinner.

Kathleen Turner, Edie Falco, and Michael Imperioli introduced some of this year’s honorees, including mayor Michael Bloomberg, deputy mayor Patricia E. Harris, playwright Edward Albee, and artist Kiki Smith.

Throughout the night, notable cultural enthusiasts (including Chiara Clemente and Massimiliano Gioni) joined other patrons in reviewing the 218 postcards sold by the council. Set at $250 each, the postcards provided by 140 artists were the only exhibits on the wall, an intentional decision on the part of the event team.

“Whereas last year everything was on the walls, art this year happens all around you. Rather than you seeing it at a distance, we wanted it to happen to you. So we did things that make you look at space differently," Rayvid said. "So that you’re involved in the art and realize that your life is artful if you perceive it that way.”
The dinner area of the Downtown Dinner
The dinner area of the Downtown Dinner
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Artist McKendree Key's yellow twine installation hung overhead in the dinner section of the event.
Artist McKendree Key's yellow twine installation hung overhead in the dinner section of the event.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Another piece of art, Mary Mattingly's 'Kart,' was also part of the event's decor.
Another piece of art, Mary Mattingly's "Kart," was also part of the event's decor.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
An array of 218 postcards covered the wall at the event. The display didn't identify the artwork, so guests bought the postcards without knowing the artist.
An array of 218 postcards covered the wall at the event. The display didn't identify the artwork, so guests bought the postcards without knowing the artist.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
An installation of papier-mâché tree trunks was created by Katie Holten, an alum of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's residency program.
An installation of papier-mâché tree trunks was created by Katie Holten, an alum of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's residency program.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Violinist Lorenzo Laroc performed before dinner.
Violinist Lorenzo Laroc performed before dinner.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Servers passed specialty drinks from sponsor Tito's Handmade Vodka.
Servers passed specialty drinks from sponsor Tito's Handmade Vodka.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Creative Edge's selection of hors d'oeuvres included chicken summer rolls.
Creative Edge's selection of hors d'oeuvres included chicken summer rolls.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
For musical entertainment during cocktails, Vintage DJ played '60s tunes.
For musical entertainment during cocktails, Vintage DJ played '60s tunes.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Plates of haricots verts salad, chopped vegetable salad, and buffalo mozzarella sat atop each dining table.
Plates of haricots verts salad, chopped vegetable salad, and buffalo mozzarella sat atop each dining table.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Latest in New York
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
Industry Insiders
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Unveiled at The William Vale
New York
19 New Venues in New York for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Le Bar Penelope
New York
10 New Venues in New York for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Convene at 101 Park Avenue
New York
14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Related Stories
A lighting projection of New York
New York
Mood Lighting
Nakheel's carpet map
New York
Off the Map
Delicate and chewy macarons from Macaron Café
New York
Where to Get Colorful, Flavorful Treats
A Voce
New York
Second A Voce to Take Over Cafe Gray Space
More in New York
Sponsored
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Meetings that hit big—made simple.
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
New York
19 New Venues in New York for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Unveiled at The William Vale
New York
10 New Venues in New York for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Le Bar Penelope
New York
14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Convene at 101 Park Avenue
Sponsored
Picture-Perfect Venues for Your Midtown Manhattan Events
Newly renovated and expanded Convene venues can host events of all sizes.
A look at the newly refreshed Convene 117 West 46th Street
New York
12 New Venues in New York for Spring 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
The Ranch at Hudson Valley
Most Popular
Strategy
How to Keep Sponsors Happy—Without Sacrificing an Event's Integrity
Event Production & Fabrication
Robin Hood's 2025 Benefit Gala Had the Home Field Advantage—How a Sports Theme Helped Raise $72 Million
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Netflix Rebuilds a Bookstore for 'YOU' Fan Experience—See Inside Joe Goldberg's Twisted Reality
Sports
Why More and More Brands Are Sponsoring Women's Sports Leagues
Meetings
What You Might Have Missed From the 2025 Upfront Season
Food Trends
Event Profs Share the Catering Moments They’ll Never Forget
New York
12 New Venues in New York for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Maxwell
Sponsored
Venue of the Future: Only at Cipriani 25 Broadway
25 Broadway: Where every event is an unforgettable experience.
An example of the magic at Cipriani 25 Broadway
New York
11 New Venues in New York for Summer 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Moxy Williamsburg
Sponsored
Top 5 Most Iconic Events at the Manhattan Center
The Manhattan Center’s versatility allows clients to transform the spaces into whatever they envision. Here are five of the most iconic events that have been hosted at the venue.
2022 Red Bull BC One Finals, produced by Listen Entertainment.
New York
17 New Venues in New York for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
The Highlight Room at Moxy Lower East Side
Sponsored
Book Your Next Event at UBS Arena at Belmont Park
Located in the heart of Metro NY, UBS Arena at Belmont Park is primed for exceptional events.
Nyi17518 Cs16610 Copy
Page 1 of 333
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.