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Carnegie International
View the Photo Gallery for Carnegie InternationalAimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
View the Photo Gallery for Diamond Horseshoe Ball turns 50
Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
View the Photo Gallery for more of Fanfare
Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
The excitement sssssizzzzzled as an international coterie of not-so-starving artists, curators, dealers, collectors and swanks (and the press corps that follows them) swept into the house that Andy built to preview the show that will be up 'til March 20.
Here's what they saw. Galleries vibrating in color. Works by 38 artists from the world over that are commanding, superbly installed and controversial. Certainly, they're controversial. Art parallels an artist's life and times. It's meant to surprise, shock, delight ... as did the 40-channel video installation of people living in a Turkish shantytown, each with his own story, that won the $10,000 Carnegie Prize for filmmaker Kutlug Ataman.
What else? Come prepared for sensory overload ... the exhibit's smashing and, thanks to the vision of curator Laura Hoptman, looks like a million. Smartly gowned in a black silk Gucci, with hubby Verne Dawson at her side, she was fielding multilingual raves all night long.
Nothing less than a luxe, luxe, luxe preview would do, and this glamfest certainly delivered the goods. The setting and crowd were so ravishing, one didn't know where to look first. Let's start at the top with beautiful chair Peggy McKnight (with Steve), whose artistry was apparent at every turn. Turns out she was also in the eve's best gown, a gray silk charmeuse by Balenciaga. As well as her co-chair Debbie Dick, who wore a white embroidered silk bustier over brown palazzo pants.
The Scaife foyer was shooting for the hip. Whisked away was the cafe, to be replaced by a cool nightclub that was bathed in a spectrum of color, lights and sights. Quelle sights! Not just A-list, mind you, but A-plus. Not just old money, Minerva, but also a lively jet-set cast of the new. And the men all looked like somebody.
The women were dressed beautifully, and the Oscar-night bijoux came out of the vaults. Standouts turned fashion arabesques in ruffled chiffons, ball gowns and vampy slinks with cutaway detailing.
After a browse of the show and a quick program, 850 black-ties repaired to the Music Hall Foyer and Hall of Architecture for dinner. And visitors were knocked out by the unrivaled splendor of the areas we take for granted. As for Parkhurst's menu, it was underwhelming and undercooked.
A Fanfare to decorations' chair Diane Gerlach and floral designer Tim Condron who orchestrated the drop-dead-gorgeous ambiance. CI's signature ribbons of color -- hot pink, red and orange -- inspired the mounds of carnations in each shade that line the red-carpeted entranceway and party spaces. Dining tables were covered long in black and paneled with contrasting runners. Glowing with pinspot lighting, each tablescape was centered with a tall, contemporary glass rectangle of orchids or roses. While black bamboo chairs circled the shamelessly beautiful setting.
It was all terribly posh with a guest list that included The Carnegie's chair Suzy Broadhurst and Jim; Museum of Art prexy Marcia Gumberg and Stanley with director Richard Armstrong; actor Peter Fonda; Sheila and Milt Fine; Ann and Marty McGuinn; Peggy and Max King; Ellen and Tom Golonski; Ellen and Jim Walton; Elsie and Henry Hillman; CMA's former director Philip Johnston and Jane in from Santa Barbara Museum of Art; Nancy and Milt Washington with their guests U.S. Marine (ret.) Gen. Gary Cooper and Beverly of Alabama; Toto and Jim Fisher (this is their ninth CI!); Ranny and Jay Ferguson; Jury Award chairs Jane Haskell and Alex Speyer III with Silvia; New York art critic Calvin Tompkins and wife Dodie Kazanjian of Vogue; Baron and Baroness Phillippe and Marian Lambert of Switzerland; Teri and Damian Soffer; Janet and Bill Hunt with his folks Priscilla and Richard Hunt of Boston; CMU's Dr. Jared and Maureen Cohon; Miryam and Bob Knutson; Farley Whetzel; Jean and Brooks Robinson; Gail and Tom Murphy; Frick Art's Bill Bodine; NYC gallery owner Miriam Goodman; Lou and Henry Gailliot; and Kenny and Gordon Nelson.
Moving along with SFMOMA's Madeleine Grynsztejn (she curated CI:99/00); Christine Torretti Olson; Dr. Joanne and Art Boyle; Electra and Jim Agras; Idamae and Jim Rich, who donated a CI painting to the museum; Deni and Dr. Bart Griffith up from Virginia; Sam Michaels; Lea Simonds with sons Henry, Dillon and Talbot; Diane and Hal Waldman; Christine and Dietmar Artzinger-Bolten of Germany; Jenifer and Mark Evans; Dr. Helene Blodgett; Christine McCrady; Nancy and Al Muse; Miami collectors Dennis and Debra Scholl (they own a canvas in the show); Ed Harrell and Jim Hageder; Rita Gould and Bud Speyer; Tracey and Tom Reading; Mikiko Honjoh and Miwako Takeda with galleries in Japan; Katie and Mark Geier; Alice and Jim Beckwith; Sylvia and Don Robinson; Caryn Rubinoff and Craig Denham; Nancy and Dan Fales; Wallis and Marshall Katz; Lynn Davenport; Mattress Factory's Barbara Luderowsky and Michael Olijnyk; Dr. Kay Kamin of Chicago; Georgia O'Keeffe Museum's George King; Barb Mendlowitz; Susie Katz; Kitty Hillman; Jo-Anne Bates with son Stephen; Lillian Goldsmith; and Michele Fabrizi.
Then it was off to see and be seen with the buff and beautiful cocktail nation -- plus a few mere morals -- who showed 600 strong at the buffet in the Scaife foyer, where cult actor-filmmaker John Waters slipped in. The dress code went from brilliant to bizarre and stretched artistry beyond the museum walls. Rocking to the beat of NYC's Herman Fish band, the party was here for sure.
"It takes a world to produce an International," museum director Armstrong noted. And almost as many to stage the museum-worthy event of the year.
| Diamond Horseshoe Ball turns 50 |
If you remember Greta Garbo's consumptive courtesan in the film "Camille," you have the gist of Verdi's exquisite "La Traviata," the opera with love in every note that lavishly launched the season here.
If a night at the opera means never having to say good night, you have the gist of the Pittsburgh Opera Association's Diamond Horseshoe Ball gala that was as grand as the opera that inspired it. This perfumed pack has been the backbone of our opera company, lo these many years, and they set the gold standard in elegance for their 50th-anniversary soiree. As one wag allowed, there just happened to be an opera that night. Ah, but what an opera ... a showy, gorgeous production with ravishing soprano Annick Massis in the title role. This was a real opening night, and a triumph for the Pittsburgh Opera.
Girding our bustier for an eight-hour marathon, the overture began at 4:30 p.m. in Dominion Tower's lobby with costumed gypsies mixing and mingling at cocktails before the curtain at the Benedum Center.
A convoy of buses whisked us to the Omni William Penn ballroom for the grand finale and splendid supper with the entire cast. As guests began slipping away at midnight, others still were dancing their slippers off. Now you have the gist of joie de vivre, the gala's golden aria.
Standouts in the crowd: the PO's triumvirate of Mark Weinstein (with his soprano Susanne Marsee), Christopher Hahn and John Mauceri; benefit chairs John Traina and Nancy wearing a golden Carmen Marc Valvo evening suit; POA prexy Kathleen Reshmi and Chandra; PO's new prexy Nadine Bognar with daughter Cynthia and Steve Beemsterboer; Dr. Howard and Maryann dePalma Burnett; Mary and Woody Turner; Kristen and Kevin McMahon; Rose and Dr. Mike Kutsenkow; Annie Futrell; Tucky and Sidney Wolfson; Dr. John and Dolores Smith Barber; Pearl and Dave Figgins; and Shelley and Jeff Lipton.
As well as Drs. Loren and Ellen Roth, a vision in pale yellow; Sandy Bettor; Audrey and Steve Richman; Rose and Dr. Joe Roarty; Ed Loughney and daughter Margaret Brosnan; Gloria and Joe Vales; Mark and Dr. Robin Willard; Natalie and Dr. Bill Hoffman; Dr. Laura Pallan and John Tippins; Carol Word and Bill Trueheart; Rachel and Horace Payne; Dr. Saundra and Bill Stout; Val Clark; Louise Hartman; Bonnie Walker Chirigos and Ed Stein; Anita and Ross Dacal; Michele and Dr. John Franklin; Pam and Herb Blomquist; Ileane and Judge Manny Smith; and Dottie and Karl Urda celebrating their 51st anniversary.
Ovations to the POA's leading ladies for gilding this lily to the tune of $300,000.
| Fashion! Action! |
Glam took center stage at Whirl Magazine's slick Pittsburgh Fashion Awards runway blockbuster. Several hundred fashionistas filled Heinz Field's clubhouse for Thursday's strut that rekindled our love affair with luxe. To benefit the Women's Center & Shelter.
Edgy is out and femininity is in, as evidenced by the glorious furs, supple leathers, smart suits and sexy hey-look-at-me numbers that were fresh off the racks from 37 retailers. Color is the new black, and menswear was mostly paired with jeans, dude. Decidedly of the moment were the asymmetrical hemlines and fur-trimmed everything. And they piled on the accessories.
Fantastic show, hair, makeup. Thanks to behind-the-scene fashion divas Judy Linaburg, Diane Greco and Jackie Rossi, it was sensational and rocked with a New Age vibe. Fashion-obsessed or not, gentle shopper, there's something to love, something to afford and something more to dream about ... right here in Pittsburgh.
Amping up the fashion parade off the runway were Whirl's first couple Christine and Jack Tumpson; Anne Henne; Linda Bucci; Kimberlie Collins with Courtney and Brooke; fab pixter Harry Giglio; survivor Jenna Morasca; Helen Hoey in a divine black mink capelet; Lynn Smith; Becky Snyder; Lolli Rendina; Catherine Loevner and her fashion plates Caroline and Dianna; Guy Herrmann; Lynne Lister; Shelly Snoddy and her twinkly Christiana; Jill Brodbeck; Susie Franklin; Izzazu's Emilio with Arnold Zegarelli; Joyce O'Connor; Tim Condron; WC&S director Shirl Regan with Ellen Gamble; KDKA's Bob Pompeani as emcee; Arlene Snyder; Dr. Miroya Stabile; Bob Davis; Andrea Patrick Forte (Fabian's bride!); Joyce Oesterling; Roseanne Wholey; Framesi chief Dennis Katawyck; and Mary Beth Johnson stopping traffic in a fur-trimmed leopard poncho.
| Antique attraction |
Against the backdrop of the tres elegant Edgeworth Club, Friday's Sewickley Valley Antique Show preview highlighted ageless furniture, silver, art and more provenance -- plus buys from 30 of the area's finest dealers. Now in its fifth year, the two-day SVAS sale added a net $30,000-plus to the Child Health Association coffers. Co-chairs Christine Kardong and Nancy Sansom credit the success to an all-volunteer corps of women that works tirelessly to help enrich youngsters' lives throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Of course, longtime dealer Jack Squires again lent his expertise to the cause, gathering an outstanding lineup of goods that featured federal end tables, period impressionist art, heirloom quilts, dazzling diamonds and a vintage 1930s stainless-steel bedroom dresser, to name a few. Noteworthies included Sewickley mayor John Wise and Meghan; Barbara Barry; Betsy Wotherspoon; Beth and Ken Rom; Marjorie and Bruce Carlson; Carol and Kevin Weir; Donna and Vince Delie; Dorothy Taylor Lindner; Linda and Scott Schober; Lisa and Chip Burrows; Bonnie and Tim Moorhead; and Suzanne Manula and Neil Vidt.
Fair warning.
-- John Altdorfer
| Star quality |
Talk about starting off with a bang. When the DePaul Institute Reach for the Stars benefit debuted Thursday, the internationally respected school for the speech- and hearing-impaired landed former Miss America Heather Whitestone McCallum as the keynote speaker for its first-ever black-tie gala. Now a missus, she's still our ideal for overcoming lifelong hearing problems. Displaying the grace that earned her the 1995 crown, she signed autographs, posed for photos and inspired the nearly 400 guests at the Westin Convention Center with a heartfelt message about life as an oral deaf person.
Among the many shining stars was DI grad Kristie Cohen Durham (with husband Doug and son Trenton), who received the school's first alumni award for her work for NASA. Notable stargazers included superintendent Dr. Dennis Barrett and Bernie; gala chair Dr. Bridget Chufo and Bill; Bobbi and Ralph Aiello; board chair Carl Eck and Jane; Carol and Patrick Riley; Sister Virginia Pascaretta; Dolly and Jack Warwick; Dee Bold; Dr. Gene Meyers and Barbara; WTAE's Marilyn Brooks; Michelle and Joe Balachak; local broadcast legend Bill Cardille and Louise; and emcee Mike Clark
.
Dreams are spoken there.
-- J.A.
| Spirited 10 |
From the courtroom to the boardroom and all walks of life in between, the only thing they asked for was a chance to prove their worth. No special favors. No preferential treatment. Just the opportunity to make a difference in Pittsburgh and beyond. Celebrating a decade of outstanding achievements, Carlow College applauded 10 extraordinary honorees during Saturday's Women of Spirit Gala at the D.L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Among the Class of 2004 were Cynthia Baldwin, Common Pleas Court judge; Doreen Boyce, president, Buhl Foundation; Joyce Clark, mentor for gifted students, Pittsburgh Public Schools; Pamela Schanwald, CEO, Children's Home of Pittsburgh; Dora Iwler, Holocaust survivor and UJF volunteer; Pearl Moore, CEO, Oncology Nursing Society; Joanne Rogers, pianist and wife of the late Fred Rogers; Madelyn Ross, managing editor, Post-Gazette; Karen Shapira, secretary, United Jewish Communities; Mary Gibson Winter, director, Angels' Place.
During the well-paced program, 400 black-ties applauded this year's WOS achievements and set the stage for future honorees as the to-do enriched the school's scholarship program. Among the notables were Carlow's most spirited woman, Sister Grace Ann Geibel; Lucy and Dr. Ian Rawson; Judy and Ron Davenport; emcee Jennifer Antkowiak of KDKA; Anita Dacal; WQED's Michael Bartley and Jocelyn Hough; Mardi and Bill Isler; Margaret and James Rogers; Urban League prez Esther Bush; 2003 WOS Dr. Barbara Mistick with daughter Tori; Dr. Gary Smith; and Laura and Chris Fennimore.
That's the spirit.
-- J.A.
| Women against MS |
Fact: More than 400,000 Americans (4,300 are Pittsburghers) have Multiple Sclerosis. Much is still unknown about the autoimmune disease that strikes mostly young people. Except that the ratio of women-to-men with MS is three-to-one.
Heeding the call for MS research, mayor Tom Murphy declared Tuesday Women Against MS Day as some 230 women and a few good men rallied around the cause at a power lunch in the Westin Convention Center.
Spellbinder Suzanne Carroll Witherell, MS LifeLines Ambassador from Ohio, stepped in for the ailing actress Teri Garr (she beamed in by telephone), and kept us riveted to our seats with her poignant message on "doing something about something I can't do anything about." National MS Society/Allegheny board chair JoEllen Lyons Dillon and prexy Colleen McGuire are joining the battle, with major assists by Sandy Bettor (she's been battling MS for 15 years). As are Anne Mageras; Dr. Rock Heyman; Ellie and Rob Bernstein; Nancy Lynches; Nadine Bognar; emcee Ken Rice of KDKA-TV; Colleen O'Brien; Pam McCallum; Cathy McNeilly and her family; Marsetta Schweiger; Joan Hoover; Nancy Weiland; Maria Sirabella; and Dr. Cynthia Duarte Evans.
The good fight.
| Quick Take |
High rollers among the full house included event chair Marc Grant; director Jan Glick; board prez Donald Friedman; Jim Reich; Leslie Bonner; Julia and Charles Grimstad; McCrae Holiday; and Gail Florence.
-- J.A.
