On Thursday night atop the Gramercy Park Hotel, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld celebrated another success in the New York art world, the opening of "Sick Atavus of the New Blood," the latest show by French artist Nicolas Pol. Vladimir explains that the title of the exhibit references "the morbidity and violence that undergirds every one of Pol's rough strokes. Yet it also belies a technological paranoia, both in the sci-fi reference of 'Atavus,' and the 'new blood' that springs forth." Pol calls it “a pompous and pseudoscientific title, 'atavus' being a Latin word that nobody uses.”
The works by Pol were presented in a Soho warehouse space followed by an elegant dinner at Gramercy Terrace. Among the art lovers in attendance: Carine Roitfeld, Christian Restoin, Giovanna Battaglia, Joseph Altuzarra, Brian Atwood, Yigal Azrouel, Victoria Bartlett, Derek Blasberg, Francesco Carrozzini, Lisa de Kooning, Sante D'Orazio, Douglas Friedman, Stephen Gan, Douglas Hannant, Michelle Harper, Amanda Hearst, Genevieve Jones, Natalia Kills, Lorenzo Martone, Jennifer Missoni, Andrej Pejic, Mario Sorrenti, Stefano Tonchi, Giambattista Valli, Viktor & Rolf, and Julia Von Boehm.
How was the party? According to the Wall Street Journal, it sounds perfect:
But when the subject came up that a reporter happened to enjoy karaoke, Carine Roitfeld, Mr. Restoin Roitfeld's mother and the former editor of French Vogue [sic], said she did, too. We asked her what her karaoke song was. "I like 'You're so Vain,'" she said. And with that, Ms. Roitfeld and the reporter sang several verses of the Carly Simon tune a capella. As the singing grew louder, a few guests glanced askew. Some others joined in. It was very "My Best Friend's Wedding," if the movie had been directed by Helmut Newton. Needless to say, it wasn't a moment anyone will likely forget, even if they'd already downed a few Jello shots."
Other international exhibits of Pol's work that Vladimir curated were "The Martus Maw" (New York, 2009) and "The Mother of Pouacrus" (London, 2010). "Sick Atavus of the New Blood" runs through May 22 at 560 Washington Street, Bay 37E. To see more of the evening, visit the photo gallery or watch this fascinating video in which Vladimir and the artist discuss the art, the philosophy at work, and the New York scene.
Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld, Christian Restoin, Giovanna Battaglia photographs courtesy of J.T. White/151Studios.com and © 2011 Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com and © 2011 Billy Farrell Agency (BFA)