At the LongHouse Reserve's summer gala Saturday, a monochromatic palette dominated the decor at the East Hampton nonprofit's fund-raiser as well as the clothes worn by the 400 guests. Held at the 16-acre sculpture garden and preserve founded by by Jack Lenor Larsen, the benefit honored artist Laurie Anderson and arts patron Jan Cowles and marked the first time LongHouse offered tickets for young patrons to attend a post-gala dance.
Overseen by associate curator Wendy van Deusen and managed by Taylor Creative, the event's simple color scheme was a way to exaggerate components that paid tribute to Anderson's unconventional work as well as highlight the areas for lounging, dining, and performance on the vast campus.
For the most part, fabric formed the decor. Black and white Balinese flags flapped from tall bamboo poles planted on the first lawn beside Peter's Pond. Canvas stretched over wooden frames created an entrance to the grounds by the Gatehouse. And black scrims painted with white song lyrics and writings from Anderson hung from the ceiling of a lounge tent. Even the entertainment matched the two-toned design: Dance trio the Lukettes (led by Lukie Bernstein) wore Bauhaus-inspired costumes, and the black-and-white clad Brooklyn-based band Navegante performed by a checkerboard dance floor
Conversely, the hors d'oeuvres and dinner created by Canard provided a colorful mix: a trio of tomato, white, and mango gazpacho; a selection of five bruschette; and a Chinese-style barbecue with chicken, pork, and beef served on lettuce leaves, thin pancakes, and small rolls.
Following the award presentation and a special performance by Anderson, the younger set joined the crowd for dancing to music by Navegante beside LongHouse's "Fly's Eye Dome," a striking piece designed by Buckminster Fuller that glowed different colors for the nighttime revelry.
