NEW YORK — The Museum of Modern Art rolled out the red carpet along 54th Street last night to welcome the generous patrons who showed up for its annual Party in the Garden.
Guests gathered under giant suspended spherical ornaments in the dressed-up Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, which was decorated with glittery white carpet and illuminated with an array of lights. This year’s event honored MoMA trustees Michael Lynne, Anna Marie Shapiro, and Edgar Wachenheim III for “their philanthropic endeavors and contributions to the cultural community.”
Luminaries like artists Cindy Sherman, George Condo, Richard Serra, Chuck Close, journalist Barbara Walters, and actress Kim Cattrall attended the plush dinner in the museum before heading out into the MoMA courtyard for the lively after-party. “It’s a great collection,” said Close to ARTINFO about the museum. “Great art, a resource for our city. We’re all lucky to have it.”
Absent was Kanye West, who provided ample material for endless fodder with his soul-baring train-wreck of a set last year. Instead, the museum hired Beyoncé’s little sister Solange Knowles, who showed off her legs in a leaf print Flaminia Saccucci ensemble, and downtown songstress Santigold, who wore a psychedelic floral-print dress, for the entertainment this year. Although Close couldn’t pick a favorite from Santigold’s 11-song set, which ended with the jumpy dance anthem “Big Mouth,” the crowd certainly showed their approval with their enthusiastic dance moves.
Click on the slide show to see pictures from MoMA's 2012 Party in the Garden.