Into the New Year...

This year we had an amazing Christmas party for 176 and the Collection at HIX in Soho.

Mark and I share our birthday - sadly he got run over by a bus and was somewhat in pain but he gave me a beautiful silver goblet to drink the homegrown English south coast Vodka from.















DJ Tom Richards was amazing - he even threw in a few old-people songs for me.

My team gifted me a beautiful poem written by the lovely Lail Arad.













Artists Haroon Mirza and Laura Buckley.












Rosie Allerhand, Rob Diament, and I.
















The Wilkinson brothers and Bruce Haines and Harriet Quick.










Sam Lee and his new guy getting it together...

















George Young with Graham Hudson (Great artists. Great dancers)










Before we all headed to NY, we dropped into MOT to be photographed by Heather Cantrell.

























Then we dropped by to see Mustafa and his new statues, entitled The Ruins.


















Then off to New York and the JUDD foundation where we were made to feel most welcome.

We discussed a female interpretation of the masculinity of Donald Judd with Donald’s daughter Rainer and Barbara Hunt McLanahan showed us their wonderful Judd furniture.






















With Jane Hamlyn and all the girls at Teen Vogue.

Then dropped into a couple of galleries.







At Andrea Rosen’s we purchased a lovely work by the artist Erik Wysocan and admired the work of William J O’Brian at Marianne Boesky.







Spencer Sweeney welcomed me into his installation where he was painting a self-portrait a day.















Then St Barth’s. So many successful collectors, artists and art dealers go there to play. It was quite a scene. I found it quite fascinating that not one person apart from Peter Brandt and Vito Schnabel spoke about art.

Tony Shafrazi was the only one out there working his butt off , showing the beautiful paintings by Jason Bereswill in his pristine pop-up gallery.










Larry Gagosian and Shala Monroque gave a beautiful wedding party in their gorgeous new home built by Christian Liaigre. The wedding was for an exuberant Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo. They both looked incredible with a cake to match!










Next thing we were all dancing the night away in front of Gwen Stefani at Dasha and Roman's spectacular New Year's Party. It was the best New Year we ever had.

















On our way home Robin Vousden (with broken arm) and Pauline Karpidas dropped Roy and me off in Miami, we headed to visit Mera Rubell and she gave us a private tour - it was totally fascinating.

We camped out in front of her Mark Handforth Motor Bike.

Then home sweet home and to London Art Fair where we were exhibiting our editions and selecting some wonderful photographers for them to show. I enjoyed London Art Fair, it was friendly and not overwhelming and also a pleasure to see Modern British and contemporary under the same roof.

Congratulations!

A big congratulations goes to Dr Michaela Neumeister who married Simon de Pury: the biggest and best-kept secret in the Art World!

Michaela announces she married, her submarine emerged and her crocodile is called Simon.

Miami 09

Miami here I come, the sunsoaked warm sunshine town with Sandy Beaches that disappear into the horizon and ART. What more can I ask for.

I arrive at the Gansevoort and before my eyes art two feisty DUANE HANSONS checking in at the reception.











I was struck down with the lurgy but still managed to soldier on to Miami art fair which was full of sparkle and glamour.

In the evening we had time to drop by to the Rubell collection. Mera looked amazing in her grand wig and already the scene was buzzing.
















Victoria Miro and Warren were in full swing with Michaela Neumeister and some crazy lady wanting to kill me?












Scottish Adam McEwen, very proud of his installation chatting with Clarissa Dalrymple and pretty lady.














Miami art fair. On our way in our first sighting was the handsome Marc Jancou with his wondrous white shoes leading the way.















White was the colour, Black Art uniform discarded, Abdullah and Aline, both looking amazing and greeting us with big smiles on the way in to the Exhibition Hall.
















We managed to create a small crater in my pocket with the help of Jim Lambie, Agathe Snow, Marine Hugonnier, John Bock and Paul P.















Writers were in full force. A writer from The Art Newspaper in front of Subodh Guptah's fabulous silver car.

















There were definitely some romances in the art fairs. Nina Beier being very romantic with her beau.
















Some Olaf Breuning-inspired costumes to promote Beer at NADA

















We bumped into my favourite Dude/Artist in the whole world Dan Attoe. His new work was fresh and vibrant.

























Lizzie and I loved NADA - the quality, as usual, was of a high standard.

The hot artist of the day was Brenden Fowler however we had our eyes on another artist shhhhhh don’t tell any one but his name is Scott Hug he is brilliant!








We loved Erwin Wurm's cucumber. Rumours were that it was bought by Beth Rudin de Woody?








Jo Coupe's work at Work Place was so exquisite.




















On our journey Johnny Pigozzi showed us his new treasure, must be African Art?












Party time was fun and I was drugged up on Night nurse and Orange Juice and felt very happy. Jeffrey Deitch party with Santigold was a don’t-miss affair.

Great scene: Elliot McDonald with very pretty girl with sexy ankle.




























Then of to the PURPLE PARTY with Javier Peres, Dan Attoe, Lizzie.




















It was very naughty party smoking in the basement, indoors in USA. Disgraceful!!!!












My other NBF apart from Madonna is Raphael de Cardenas posing with Javier. Met some great people.










I had deep conversation with Terence Koh about him using technology in his work. Here are Terence and Dan Attoe.
















Pulse was more experimental
and strange.

















Tekrar Level Four by David M Abir. Light and Sound Sculpture.
















Maria Jose Arjona
Affirmation just standing there all day long!
















Danny setting off fireworks in a box!



















Amir Shariat who took his lovely wife and gorgeous art baby with him.
















We dropped by first to the Aspen Museum party and bumped in to Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn and her lovely mum.

P.S Jeanne is really the “Queen of Arts” in my opinion.








Then to see Aaron Young in action. His work is so Macho!!!





















The hot hotel in town is called the W and it is spectacular. The party was hosted by the nicest boys in New York. Aby Rosen, Alberto Mugrabi, Larry Gagosian.

At last I had the pleasure of meeting Rashid Johnson. Looks, personality and talent - what a lethal combination?

















At last I caught up with Lyor and Tory Birch who tells me she is opening 15 shops, I cannot wait and I got a big hug as I walked through the door.

Managed to snatch a foto of Lyor and Stellan Holm together.


















Tony Shafrazi been swept away by Pilar Corrias















Jeanne with Julian Schnabel's son Vito, making a strong name for himself on the art scene.










Rosa and sisters looking very happy and incredibly proud of the new museum.
















Rosa and Carlos in their new museum with all their team who are mainly from the local area. Rosa's energy, eye and philanthropy are an inspiration to us all.








Love the exit sign in Rosa's private area.










Then the opposite as people relax in her beach front home eating breakfast.









Back to the art fair again and Aaron Young showing Lizzie his latest art work.









Caught up with Michael Briggs and Patrick Painter. Patrick was still in his wheely but doing amazing after his major op.









Our last encounter in the fair was Mark Spiegler and Ann Gallagher in the NetJets Lounge. Recession has not hit completely as there are still private jets and art fairs!









Then it was goodbye Miami and on our way we checked our home-grown Graham Hudson - we were very proud of him he was a big success in Design Miami/ 2009. Workshop, a factory and salon created by artist Jim Drain, poet P. Scott Cunningham, and Graham.

176 / Zabludowicz Collection Future Map Prize and Damien Hirst

NOV 23rd and London art scene was buzzing.










Hoxton Square was swarming: on one end at number 20, Alex Delall with his proud grandfather Jack at his side hosted the 176 / Zabludowicz Collection Future Map Prize.













The other side was Damien Hirst's magnificent and deadly paintings looming down at the young students in the distance.

There were some amazing works in the Future Map show. Sonny Sanjay Vadgama already aquired for the collection, Fred Mercer the filmmaker whose content was quite shocking: a father nabbing his daughter's kidney for money while the audience and child are lulled into a safe fairytale-fed vortex.

Then there is Una Burke who already has orders from Lady Ga Ga, and I of course sent to my NBF Madonna just in case.

















The winner of them all we decided unanimously with Nancy Durrant and Jeremy Deller was the video artist Cindie Chueng, who was BA student not even MA. Here's Medeia Cohen introducing us.














It was all very emotional and the alumni were very proud of themselves!


Jeremy Deller



















Here's Nigel Carrington, Rector of University of the Arts London, with Cindie and me.















Then off to Mark Hix to meet Tracey and suddenly I am camera shy again. I managed to introduce Rob Diament, Young Pop Star, to Paul McCartney, Old Pop Star.

We drank amazing vodka made in London given by Mark Hix's great new Bar Man, Nick Strangeway.
















I met Jay's mum who is, I thought, a beautiful lady.










Roy always looking up to Jay.

Then off to One Marlybone, the big church.

We hung out with Tracey and we danced first with a very pretty lady biologist, then another lady biologist who apparently, according to Louisa Buck, found the DNA of the fruit fly! Whatever that means. Anyway the dancing was very molecular and bonkers!

November "part deux"

Interesting week, Nick Serota in conversation with Kevin Spacey and Alan Yentob in the chair at Tate Britain. It was incredibly charming.

Then the next evening was BFAMI British Friends of the Museums of Israel. I found myself with a Muntean and Rosenbleum wooden motorbike!!

Anish Kapoor was described as the Master of the Universe. He gave a great talk on abstraction and metaphysics I think, hardly anyone knew what he was talking about but they all still enjoyed it.

There was a fantastic turnout and Oli Barker was auctioneer for the night.

James Snyder and Nick Serota were sat together side by side - this made me very happy to see.

Wendy Fisher was a superb chairman.

Georgina Cohen was bouncing around that father Franky is going to be on telly with Saatchi. Really gutted 176 is not included in Charles' project, I must no longer be his “Queen of Cool”.

Jake has cut his beard off at last I can tell the difference between him and Stuart!!

Then off to Paris Photo and that was fantastico…It started in Palais de Tokyo with the Tate group who were quite happily exhausted they had been on the go for three solid days.

Once again the Finns stole the party: Timothy Pearsons with one of his artists Niko Luoma.












Talking about dying the Deadline show at Musée d'Art Moderne was incredible and I followed Tiffany with her classmates Lauren Tata and Laura Stratford and Mr C to see Albert Oehlen, then Rodin's Thinker.


















They finally laid to rest their obsessive hate of Balzac by leaving a secret letter under his big fat belly….

November

What a lovely week it has been.

We put together a very special dinner at 176 for the Tate Patrons. I think it was enjoyed by all.

The guest list was a great mixture, from the great philanthropist and friend

Candida Gertler,

to Kenny Schachter and Jolana Vaino,

Fatima Maleki, Thomas Dane and the artist David Blandy,

Sir Nicholas Serota and Georgina Cohen.

On Saturday Ryan Gander gave a wonderful talk about STUFF. It was very very interesting. I discovered there is a Clingon and Elf language! Many things I did not know.

Lisson team were out and about. I introduced Louise Hayward, Nick Logsdail and Ryan to Mitch Epstein who was passing through.

FIAC, New York and London

Lizzie and I headed of to FIAC expecting not too much and we were pleasantly surprised by a great art fair. Both sections were interesting and the galleries had brought the best of the best. It was quite impressive.

Managed to catch Gary Webb installing his wall mirrored piece on Stefania and Jake's stand.















We were so lucky as we managed to strike gold twice we found an incredible installation by Matthew Day Jackson and Rashid Johnson and an amazing suite of Jitish Kallat photographs. I could not believe my luck.

Also we managed to educate ourselves with new works and artists. Finally Palais de Tokyo, and we locked ourselves in a Fridge!








Then of to New York...sadly was there a little too early, before the festivities, but managed to have lunch and tea with Scott and Tracey and their wonderful Glasgow friend David Eustace.



I was their welcoming party and devastated I was missing all the parties in honour of Tracey.. Her show looked amazing! Very uplifting!


Back to London after dropping into Morocco for a very un-art event given by Sol and Heather Kerzner for his opening of his amazing hotel so no photos. Loads of celebs but I did not bother with them really just partied on in my corner was an amazing holiday for me Poju and Olivia.

Now back home and it is November and dropped by the Young BFAMI party given by Nicola Heller and Yasmine Datnow.







DJ artist Richard Parry at the party.









Noga Engler and her son Amos.

















And here is the artist Gaby Klasmer.

















Then off to the Tate party for Michael Landy where he gave a great dinner and is being interviewed by Judith Nesbitt in front of his work, as Gillian looks on.