New York City, playground for free spirits, dreamers and those who see potential of the unconscious mind. The urge to create never stops so when talented members of the National Arts Club organize Dalí Ball it is THE happening of the year.
Dali Ball Co-chairs Kirsten Lewis, Vaughn Massey, Erik Carlson, Jenny Mushkin Goldman attend the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball )
World has been talking about Marie-Hélène and Guy de Rothschild’s 1972 Dîner de Têtes Surréalistes at the Château de Ferrières for 45 years now so seems the time has come for a new surrealist fairytale.
Surreal side of Paris finally arrived to New York City in the spirit of ultimate work of art – celebrating two time National Arts Club Medal of Honor winner Salvador Dalí. On Friday the 13th the Tilden Mansion on 15 Gramercy Park S, Manhattan was transformed into a surrealist garden of earthly delights.
Guests attend the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball )
A journey through a surrealist dreamscape inside the storied walls of an old mansion took us back to the original interior architecture of the 1845 Samuel Tilden House with architectural images by Chien Dao projected across the dance floor. ‘Artistic Mansion’ was a digital recreation of Tilden’s Dining room, now the Grand Gallery 1884, by Chien Dao of the Architechture Committee of NAC. A full immersive, enchanting experience enriched with musical performances, art, food by executive chef Michael DePrima and Absolut Elyx Vodka bar became our authentic surrealist escape.
Adam Krueger and TABLEAUX VIVANTS models attend the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball.)
Upon arrival, everyone took the mandatory single and group shot photos because honestly how often do you have an opportunity to dress up as a melting clock, a creature with a deformed nose or simply wear another head? So once we all checked out each others outfits, posted on social media for the world to know that we are at the party that will be the talk of the town for years to come, true fun began.
The ode to the Surrealist cultural movement and its emphasis on the power of personal imagination was set free as we snacked on crickets, moved to the melodies of psychedelic pop band Zula and striped accordionist Erica Mancini , who was no doubt one of the best dressed at the ball.
Erica Mancini and Nina Urban attend the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball.)
Chair of the event, Vaughn Elizabeth Massey greeted us and officially opened the Dalí Ball. Post aperitif, what we mean is that first drink to get us in the mood , we were ushered into a room with a DJ, surrounded by screens showing animation by NAC’s Art and Technology chair Lev Polyakov with a blank canvas in the middle of the floor. Kate March, a performance artist was about to present us with her new concept called “Woke”. She was shaping the blank canvas with her movement to the music and her emotion. Result- a gorgeous painting that we all created together as we all projected our energies to the center of the room.
Kate March performs during the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball.)
As guests proceeded into the West Parlors they were mesmerized by an art-fashion installation by Sonia Agostino of TABLEAUX VIVANTS and dark horse artist Adam Krueger. They created a wooden box with three pairs of sexy legs sticking out, guarded by a mistress sitting on top and dressed in latex. An interactive atmosphere took over the parlor since it brought mystery and desire to explore some of our darker fantasies. TABLEAUX VIVANTS and dark horse artist Adam Krueger also created some of the most noticed “costumes”. Darling salty waters’ look wearing rubber saltine crackers and Dalí mustache was the most popular.
Photography by Ian Reid
Later in the evening fashion designers Jordan Mayer and Alyssa Wardrop presented their collections which almost merged with the fashion style of most of our avant-garde dressed guests. Electronica maestro Christian Volstad of Bespoke Musik accompanied by Tom Chiu creator of Flux Quartet spiced up the musical thrill while Choreographer Joe Monteleone and then Cassady Rose Bonjo took center stage in the members parlor with ribbons act.
Cassady Rose Bonjo performs during the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball.)
Katherine Crockett , the Queen at Queen of the Night, made an intriguing entrance at Chien Dao’s ‘Artistic Mansion’ dressed in white with a beautiful feather headpiece and a veil. She presented her new surrealist piece called “The Cage”. It was a solo movement performance where she releases a bird woman’s soul from a cage. They later embark on a joined journey, stronger together and free.
Katherine Crockett attends the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball )
Dali Cake by Kate of Cakes was cut close to midnight as a little bit of sugar pick me up so that everyone can get back to the Tilden house dinning room better known as Dalí Ball dance floor. Guests danced high on surreal atmosphere, great energy and memories made that night. A unique experience in a true Big Apple spirit. As for Salvador Dalí watching from another world and for surrealism fans we can guess this was the thought:
“There are some days when I think I’m going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.”- Salvador Dalí
Julia Mellon, Avishan Bodjnoud, Marc Lewinstein, Vaughn Massey, Erik Carlson, Meredith Wing, Libbet Loughnan and Alex Nakhla of Dali Ball Committee pose for a photo at the Dali Ball at The National Arts Club on April 13, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for The National Arts Club: Dali Ball )
Committee members:
Chair: Vaughn Massey
Co-chairs: Erik Carlson, Kirsten Lewis, Jenny Mushkin Goldman
Creative Producers: Avishan Bodjnoud, Chien Dao, LaVon Kellner, Marc Lewinstein, Libbet Loughnan, Alex Nahkla, Lev Polyakov, Franck Raharinosy, Gary Shapiro, Ashley Taraban, Ava Warbrick, Libbet Loughnan and Meredith Wing
For membership click: http://www.nationalartsclub.org
