What’s better than shopping for art, cocktail in hand, in
the limpid light of the balmy
Miami night? Answer: shopping for a cause
that benefits the LGBT community. And Saturday night’s
Communion Celebrates Art at the
Bakehouse Complex in the Wynwood Arts
District was a scene right out of “Sex and the City: Miami,”
complete with a gaggle of gorgeous gals in their Jimmy Choos,
assorted Mr. Bigs, a cabal of sultry ambitious artists, and
enough deep-pocketed art-collecting homos to make Dolly Levi
weep with joy. The alcohol flowed (cocktails by Skyy vodka)—and
wallets opened—and by night’s end, those who opened wide enough
went home with new art.
For those who don’t know, the
Communion Foundation works to develop
empowering relationship within the LGBT community. Last night’s
designated beneficiaries were the
Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival,
SAVE Foundation (working to defeat
the proposed anti-gay marriage amendment),
and
Project Cradle, which provides funding
for pediatric AIDS. With a roster like that, it was hard not to
feel compelled to bid on the more than thirty silent auction
pieces—but as much as the designated charities were laudable, so
did the art more than speak for itself. We’re talking art by
the likes of art world favorites such as Romero Britto, Noel,
Robert McKnight, and Jonathan Adler—all of whom donated pieces.
And yet, apart from these art world luminaries, there was
brilliant art to be had (for a relative pittance) from artists
on the verge of becoming major. A piece by Ben Abounassif,
called “Marilyn,” for example, an art cube in resin, stamped
with Ms. Monroe’s iconic image, and
Randy Barney’s compelling and forceful
“Warrior,” a painted metal mask on base, surely meant for a
plinth in the foyer of a Continuum penthouse—which might well
stand alongside “Perpetuity,” a stunning vertical piece of resin
on wood donated by
Carlos Cesar Alves. There was also
Dale Stine’s latest sensual series,
called “Metamorph”—and
Tony Chimento’s luscious rococo
hyper-realistic print, “The Artist’s Bedroom,” which far
exceeded its appraisal and nearly had the boys fighting for the
right to take it home. All these, and more—and all you had to
do was put down your name and number—and then figure out a way
to pay—later.
Meanwhile,
outside in the Robert McKnight sculpture-adorned courtyard,
under the moonlight and away from the art-bidding frenzy, DJ
Michael Rucker worked the crowd. Waiters circulated with trays
of provocative hors d’oeuvres (can we say olive penguins with
penises—and mozzarella ball shooters?) as the 1930s towers of
the American Baking Company rose against the Miami night sky.
Chaired by the lovely Glenn Petersen and Communion Foundation
President, Murray Bowen, and supported by numerous volunteers
from MGLFF and SAVE, the evening was a sort of Art Basel: Spring
Version—and further evidence that art matters in Miami, and
particularly to the LGBT community, which knows art when it sees
it—and cares enough to support art and its creators. Make art,
not war—and next year, mark your calendars. You won’t want to
miss Communion Celebrates Art 4 @ the Bakehouse Complex. With
luck and good taste, you’ll leave with good art—and maybe even a
husband.
Best always,
Mark and Robert
