While torrential rain may have put a damper on the various live
performances amid a constellation of sculptures (notably Paul McCarthy’s
giant “butt plug”) at the 19th annual Benefit, what the night’s emcee,
novelist Jay McInerney, called “The Hamptons rowdiest and most
interesting party,” kept on going for a good cause—with all funds going
to support the Center's residency programs for emerging artists. Six
hundred and fifty guests opened their wallets for a Simon de Pury-led
auction—where, to great applause from the crowd, artist Cindy Sherman
(wisely counseled by curator Klaus Biesenbach) secured a piece by Otto
Piene. Once the rain let up, some brave souls ventured into the
sculpture garden, though seeing a bare footed Tom Sachs salvaging his
and his girlfriend's shoes from the mud, some thought it better to head
back under the tents, where the after-party was well underway.Click here to see the slideshow.
Photo: Alexis Dahan
