Since its founding in 1992, The Watermill Center in New York has served as an incubator for the performing arts and humanities. Established by the visionary theatre director Robert Wilson and situated in a former Western Union research facility – coincidentally where the first fax machine was developed – the interdisciplinary laboratory has supported countless emerging artists with year-round residency programmes and fellowships as they’ve developed new ideas.
This summer, The Watermill Center will celebrates its 25th anniversary with a characteristically big party on its idyllic grounds on Long Island’s East End. Touted as an ‘enchanted forest and performance art extravaganza’, one can only imagine the different creative interpretations of the theme ‘Time Bomb’ that lie in store.
Watermill alumna Kembra Pfahler performing with her punk rock band The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. Photography: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
Earlier this month however, a group of distinguished guests did get a taster of the things to come at The Watermill Center’s first Pre-Summer Party, held at Spring Place in New York. The two-part evening kicked off with an immersive dinner experience created by the Austrian artist-chef Paul Renner. Starting with a smorgasbord of open-faced sandwiches that the artist served himself, the dinner then moved on to a clear minestrone soup, a hearty short rib stew (topped with gold leaf) and an espresso panna cotta made with Illy coffee, accompanied by a selection of cheeses from Austria, brought over by Renner as well.
After dinner, guests were treated to dancing and a performance from Watermill alumna Kembra Pfahler and her punk rock band The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. Donning her recognisable red body paint, exaggerated black wig and heavy eye make-up, Pfahler and her troupe of lookalikes pulled no punches while touching on subjects like sexuality, capitalism, the right to bear arms and other hot topics. A colourful collusion of art, design, culture and philanthropy all rolled into one, the evening was the perfect precursor to summer’s main event.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Watermill Center website
-
Beach chic: the all-new Citroën Ami gets an acid-tinged, open-air Buggy variantCitroën have brought a dose of polychromatic playfulness to their new generation Ami microcar, the cult all-ages electric quadricycle that channels the spirit of the 2CV for the modern age
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Rosewood Miyakojima: ‘Japan, but not as most people know it’Rosewood Miyakojima offers a smooth balance of intuitive Japanese ‘omotenashi’ fused with Rosewood’s luxury edge
-
Thrilling, demanding, grotesque and theatrical: what to see at Berlin Gallery WeekendBerlin Gallery Weekend is back for 2025, and with over 50 galleries taking part, there's lots to see
-
American food classics perfect for Super Bowl snackingTuck into these American food classics, from a hot fudge sundae to crab & corn chowder this Super Bowl season
-
Chef Daniel Humm gets honest about turning Eleven Madison Park veganEleven Madison Park chef Daniel Humm on his new book ‘Eat More Plants’, revealing why he turned one of the world's most famous restaurants plant-based
-
Laila Gohar debuts bar accessories inspired by her travelsChef and designer Laila Gohar unveils a new range of bar accessories and cocktails with her signature surrealist flair
-
The Commerce Inn is a West Village Tavern inspired by the ShakersWe explore the simple pleasures of The Commerce Inn, Rita Sodi and Jody Williams’ perfectly crafted, Shaker-inspired West Village tavern
-
Happy Independence Day, USA! Wallpaper* launches a month-long celebration of creative AmericaThis 4 July we toast the cream of creative USA with our very own cherry soda float. See more in August 2023 Wallpaper*, on sale 6 July, and all month on Wallpaper.com
-
St John takes nose-to-tail Stateside for limited run at Ace Hotel BrooklynSt John, the London restaurant that pioneered nose-to-tail eating, makes its American debut in Brooklyn for a limited period
-
Lavender and Truffles: plant-based ice cream with Asian-inspired flavoursFashion industry veteran Alicia Liu launches an ice cream brand like no other, with passion and grit as the main ingredients
-
In Washington, DC, Yayoi Kusama and Veuve Clicquot are in full bloomYayoi Kusama and Veuve Clicquot continue their long and fruitful collaboration with a series of art events in Washington, DC, headlined by the artist’s major show, ‘One With Eternity’ at the Hirshhorn
