|
"Axel
Vervoordt is a non-conformist, which is dear to my heart.
He’s a modernist who embraces every period. He does not use his
rooms for modern furniture, but for the best furnishings in the
world, and, notably, the best art.” Thus declared Jack
Lenor Larsen on
Wednesday night when LongHouse
Reserve honored Axel at the
Hearst Tower.
Matko Tomicic, executive
director of LongHouse,
welcomed guests and introduced Dianne
Benson, president of the Board who said, “We are here tonight honoring
a man who defies being defined by a single word. So we are right
in presenting his award by a woman who also challenges
conventions and titles, conceptual artist Kimsooja,”
who in turn said, “It is a great honor and pleasure for me to
celebrate Axel Vervoordt and his legacy tonight,
on the occasion of the prestigious LongHouse Award."
The artist continued, "The honor also goes to LongHouse and
its mission to reflect world culture and inspire creative
talent."
In accepting his award,
designed by Marc Leuthold,
Axel gallantly offered, “Thank you all for coming. I don’t know
if I deserve it, but I always do my best,” then delivered a
fascinating presentation on design and his theories of art,
light, and space. A smaller group of just 50 retired afterwards
to Adelaide de Menil's remarkable Central Park South duplex for
dinner, where each guest was presented with a signed copy of
Axel’s newest book, Stories
and Reflections, which is not yet available in the US.
Among the guests were Sandy
and Steve Perlbinder, Adelaide de Menil, Martha Stewart, Sherri
Shultz, Sherri Donghia, Julie Jensen, Kay Hall, Newell Turner,
Mark and Elizabeth Levine, Nina Gillman, Suzy Slesin and Michael
Steinberg, Chris Mead and Zoe Hoare, Harvey and Audrey
Feuerstein, Catherine and Nathan Bruckner, Judi Roaman, Nick and
Christina Martin, Lindsay and Fitzhugh Caleo, Kang Chang, Dianne
Benson, Jack Lenor Larsen.
LongHouse is
a 16-acre reserve and sculpture garden located in East Hampton,
NY, featuring works from Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono and
William de Kooning to name only a few. Founded by Jack Lenor
Larsen, it exemplifies curated living with art in all
forms. It’s collections, gardens, sculpture and programs reflect
diverse world cultures and inspire a creative life. |