Art Crushes

<a href='http://d1.openx.org/ck.php?n=a2b3e5b3&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://d1.openx.org/avw.php?zoneid=1333&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a2b3e5b3' border='0' alt='' /></a>		<a href='http://d1.openx.org/ck.php?n=abcaf294&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://d1.openx.org/avw.php?zoneid=1379&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=abcaf294' border='0' alt='' /></a>

The dinner scene at Art Crush.

The Aspen Art Museum (AAM) hosted its fourth annual artCRUSH and afterpartyCRUSH on the first of August on the museum grounds and at Belly Up Aspen.

The museum’s summer fundraising gala this year honored renowned American artist Ed Ruscha with the 2008 Aspen Award for Art, and raised more than $1 million to support AAM’s exhibition and educational programming.

For the second consecutive year, Sotheby’s partnered with AAM as the presenting sponsor, with additional sponsorship provided by NetJets and Caribou Jewels. Co-chairs Amy Phelan of the AAM’s National Council and AAM Trustee Pam Sanders celebrated along with notable attendees including along with AAM Director Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, Jill and Jay Bernstein, Melva Bucksbaum, Will Cotton, Judy Chicago, Domenico and Eleanore De Sole, Lisa Dennison, Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson, Bob and Linda Gersh, Marian Goodman, Soledad and Bob Hurst, Toby Devan Lewis, Kent and Vicki Logan, Eugenio Lopez, Christy MacLear, Nancy and Bob Magoon, Jane and Marc Nathanson, Allen and Kelli Questrom, Howard and Cindy Rachofsky, Nina Runsdorf, Lisa and John Runyon, Debra and Dennis Scholl, Jennifer Stockman, Gayle and Paul Stoffel, and Lawrence Weiner.

Following a seated dinner prepared by Syzygy Executive Chef Martin Oswald and a special wine tasting of rare vintages, the evening featured a live auction of one-of-a-kind works by artists including Lawrence Weiner, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jim Dine, Doug Aitken, Mark Bradford, and Wade Guyton, hosted by Sotheby’s auctioneer Tobias Meyer.

Ed Ruscha was honored with the 2008 Aspen Award for Art, given annually to an artist who has exhibited, or will exhibit, at the museum. Ruscha was featured in a solo exhibition, Ed Ruscha: Mountain Paintings, at AAM in 2004. Born in 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska, Ruscha has consistently combined the cityscape of Los Angeles with vernacular language to convey a particular urban experience through photography, drawing, painting, and artist books. His early career as a graphic artist continues to strongly influence his aesthetic and thematic approach.

Bjorn Again

Following the dinner, guests traveled to Belly Up Aspen, the area’s premier live-music venue, for a performance by the wildly popular ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again at afterpartyCRUSH. In addition, two special artCRUSH-related events preceded the gala evening. On June 30, 2008, Amy and John Phelan hosted wineCRUSH, a remarkable evening of wine and food presented by Sotheby’s, which featured master sommeliers guiding guests through rare vintage flights. previewCRUSH, a private cocktail reception last July 31 at the Baldwin Gallery in Aspen, allowed guests to preview select live auction offerings the day before the artCRUSH gala.

The Aspen Art Museum is a globally preeminent non-collecting institution that presents the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Our innovative and timely exhibitions, education and public programs, immersive activities, and community happenings actively engage audiences in thought-provoking experiences of art, culture, and society.

Amanda Steck and Glenn Fuhrman

Bob and Linda Gersh

David and Jennifer Stockman

Donald Woodman, Judy Chicago,and Gary Garrels

Kent Logan, Vicki Logan, and Melva Bucksbaum

Debbie and David Chazen

Gayle and Paul Stoffel

Eve Reid and Warren Weitman

Isabella and Theodor Dalenson

Domenico De Sole, Nancy Magoon, Bob Magoon, and Gayle Stoffel

Howard and Cindy Rachofsky

Jane and Marc Nathanson

Jill and Jay Bernstein

Nancy Magoon and Jane Nathanson

Melva Bucksbaum, Ed Ruscha, Alice Weiner, and Lawrence Weiner

John Phelan and Kent Logan

Laura Aman, Richard Edwards, and Nina Runsdorf

Paul and June Schorr

Michelle Rubell, Pamela Sanders, Mera Rubell, and Donald Rubell

Will Cotton and Rose Dergan

Maria Bell, Bill Bell, and Isabella Dalenson

Soledad and Bob Hurst

Warren Kanders, Frances Dittmer, and Tobias Meyer

Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson

Tobias Meyer

The Hamptons kickoff for this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala took place at Nancy Corzine’s luxe home furnishings store in Southampton. The evening was in anticipation of the Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala, themed “After 25 Years ... A Sparking Silver Celebration,” which will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.

The annual Rita Hayworth Gala is one of New York City’s most prestigious and successful fundraising events. Last year, the Gala raised more than $2 million. Over the past 24 years, the Rita Hayworth Galas in New York and Chicago have raised more than $50 million for Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan established the Gala in memory of her mother, Rita Hayworth, who suffered from the disease for many years before her death.

Blaise Labriola and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan

Patty Raynes, Somers Farkas, and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan

Lily Safra is the 2008 Rita Hayworth Award recipient and the Hearst Corporation, Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is the 2008 Corporate Award recipient. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and Allen Brill are the Gala Co- Chairs, and Rolex Watch USA, Inc. is Underwriting the Gala.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900

For Gala ticket information, contact the Gala Benefit Office, at (212) 843-1712, fax to (212) 843-1730 or e-mail alz@hgnyc.com.

Mark Locks and Nancy Corzine

Margo Catsimatidis, Nancy Corzine, John Catsimatidis, and Andrea Catsimatidis

L. to r.: Bettina Zilkha and Dennis Basso; Jodi Sarsfield, Chele Upton Chiavacci, and Luke Sarsfield; Alexandra Lebenthal.

Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Wilbur Ross, and Hilary Geary Ross

Alyssa Tablada, Marco Tablada, and Anne Jeffries Citrin

Florence Azria is the founder of the blog The Shoe Goddess. The obsession, if that’s what it is, runs deep. Florence’s husband is Serge Azria, who owns Joie and whose brother Max is behind BCBG. On August 13th, Florence hosted a benefit at her Beverly Hills home to raise money for Mother's Against Gang Violence and the anti-gang ballot she's supporting in November.

Jan Perry, Janice Hahn, Serge Azria, Florence Azria, Wendy Greuel, and Mayor Antonio Villarigosa

The fashion maven began selling her Louboutins and Manolos on eBay two years ago as a way to raise money for the charity A Place Called Home (APCH), which nurtures inner-city children in South Central Los Angeles. The success on eBay led to the creation of her blog, which just celebrated its one year anniversary in February, and donates 100 percent of its proceeds to APCH. Now receiving 5 million viewers monthly, the blog continues to grow in popularity due to its handy advice, including how to incorporate new styles such as suede platform pumps or oxford vintage booties into your wardrobe. So while you are indulging know that you are supporting a worthy cause at the same time.