“DEVIL’S HEAVEN,” the 20th Annual Watermill Center Summer Benefit, raised $1,850,000 for the Center’s year-round artist residency and education programs on Saturday, July 27th. The only thing more stunning than that number, and the jaw dropping artistic performances [see second feature coming soon on KDH], was the high fashion donned by the glamorous guests in attendance. This was the party of the summer folks. From rock stars, to movie stars, to Southampton princesses, these haute Hamptonites turned up the summer heat in party frocks flown in straight from the runway. Take a few fashion notes in my NEW KDHamptons StyleFILE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During dinner, hosted by master of ceremonies Alan Cumming, Robert Wilson, Lady Gaga, Winona Ryder and Marina Abramović all spoke about Watermill and the artists work presented for the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights of the live auction included Lady Gaga winning Marina Abramović and Dieter Meier’s pieces.  Winona Ryder spoke about her experience working with Robert Wilson on her video portrait which led to Diane von Fürstenberg (not in attendance), Maren Otto, and Martin Brand each winning commissioned video portraits by Robert Wilson.  Other highlights included a work by Luc Tuymans, a photograph by Tseng Kwong Chi of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, and a rocking chair designed by Robert Wilson for his production of Zinnias based on the life of Clementine Hunter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights of this year’s silent auction included: two works by Shirin Neshat that sold at  premium. Other highlights included a light installation by GT Pellizzi and works by Maya Kramer, Maya Ando, Bruce High Quality Foundation, Christophe de Menil, Alex Prager, Cindy Sherman, Slava Mougtin, Jorinde Voigt, Tim Eitel, Ruud Van Empel, Ugo Rondinone, Ed Ruscha, Will Ryman, Andrew Sendor, Hadieh Shafie, Jin Shan, Max Snow, Erwin Olaf, Kembra Pfahler and Lawrence Weiner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 20 site specific installations and performances were presented on the grounds during the event by such artists as: Dilek Acay, Jörg Brinkmann, Hope Esser, Anna Graenzer, Christopher Knowles, Carl Lawrence, Lisa Lozano, Trina Merry, John Messinger, Vera Martynova, Mattew Prest, Evangelina Rantou, Zacharry Schoenhut, Ioannis Sidiropoulos, Han Sung Ah, Manu Washaus, and Yao Zhang.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of these works were produced by over 100 artists and participants from over 2 dozen nations on site in the weeks leading up to the benefit and some will be on view again for the community on Sunday, August 11 from 3-6 pm for Watermill’s annual Discover Watermill day which is free and open to the public. For more information on the Watermill Center, please visit www.watermillcenter.org

 

[ALL PHOTOS IN THIS FEATURE BY KELLI DELANEY KOT FOR KDHAMPTONS.COM]

**And be sure to check back on KDHamptons for more photos of performances and party pictures coming soon….

 

 

 

ABOUT THE WATERMILL CENTER

The Watermill Center is a laboratory for performance founded by Robert Wilson as a unique environment for young and emerging artists from around the world to explore new ideas. Watermill draws inspiration from all the arts and cultures as well as from social, human and natural sciences. Watermill is a global community of artists. Living and working together among the extensive collection of art and artifacts lies at the heart of the Watermill experience. Watermill is a haven for the next generations of artists, supporting their work among a network of international institutions and venues that embrace new interdisciplinary approaches.