"I Love New York." The slogan was taken for granted before the pandemic, but the sentiment was on full display Thursday night at the New York Botanical Garden's (NYBG) Spring Gala. Rarely has there been such enthusiasm for our city, for our extraordinary 250 acre garden, and for being together again.
Georgina Bloomberg, Nicky Hilton Rothschild
The evening's centerpiece was an exhibit of artist Yayoi Kusama's joyous work: dotted flowers, sunbursts, and amorphous shapes bursting with life, paralleling the sheer ecstasy of 300 friends finding themselves under a tent in black tie for the first time in over a year. Sponsored by Hearst, Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, and De Beers, the evening raised $1.3 million to support NYBG and its education and outreach programs.
Kate Davis, Andrew Davis
"This is the first time I've put on a gown since February 2020," said Kate Davis, who co-chaired the evening along with Ashley McDermott, Georgina Bloomberg, Gillian Hearst, Sharon Jacob, Lili Buffett, Whitney Clay and Holly Lowen. "To be able to be out without a mask is just thrilling."
The rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits. The Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012 champagne flowed freely under the glass dome in the Enid Haupt conservatory where the brand hosted pre-gala cocktails. Kusama’s colorful flowers were on full display, as Brooke Shields, Karlie Kloss, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl looked on.
"Tonight, there is an expression of hope, and a belief that New York will never be over," said McDermott. "People have rallied in the rain to celebrate an artist who is all
Ashley McDermott
about hope, joy, energy and spirit. The spirit of New York can never be eradicated."
The collaboration with Kusama had been in the planning stages for three years, and the gala was originally planned for 2020. A year later, it took a lot of courage and positive thinking to go ahead with the evening.
"We had a failsafe date, and contingency plans," said NYBG Chairman Barclay Collins. "Luckily we could go ahead with it. It's wonderful to see people with smiles again. You can't see a smile under a mask."
"The NYBG show is one of the largest shows Kusama has ever done," Collins continued. "It's the perfect place to see her work. We also have a new gallery with her smaller pieces exhibited on the wall, and they are not to be missed."
Lili Buffett, Gillian Hearst, Amory McAndrew
The dinner tent was an homage to Kusama, with big splashes of colorful dots beamed on the ceiling, and centerpieces that echoed the artist's amorphous poles. Even the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame served at table displayed boxes and labels done in collaboration with Kusama.
Talk was of New York coming back to life, the importance of NYBG to the entire community, and of rebuilding our beloved city.
"A lot of us were really excited for this event for a lot of reasons, but having it be the first event back in New York City is especially meaningful," said Bloomberg. "NYBG is very important to me. As I get older I realize the importance of having not only the gardens themselves, but also the programs they provide for the kids in New York City. It's an honor to serve here."
After a spring-like dinner of local field greens, miso-glazed black cod, and red berry shortcake, there was not an inch to be had on the dance floor. There was a feeling that organizations like NYBG are the reason we live in New York, for its unmatched spirit, courage, culture and energy. No one was running away.
We love New York. Let's rebuild our city.
