AN ARTFUL EVENING: SOFA NEW YORK 2004
OPENING NIGHT

Scott Hodes, Scott Jacobson, Leo Kaplan Modern, & Mark Lyman, President of SOFA.

SOFA NEW YORK 2004 kicked off last night with a festive Opening Night Preview Gala, A Benefit for the Museum of Arts & Design, drawing over 1,000 art enthusiasts for an elegant evening of cultural and artistic inspiration. Mark Lyman, President and Founder of SOFA expositions in Chicago and New York said, “Opening Night was a great success. It is always a wonderful time for dealers, collectors and artists to reconnect. Last night seemed especially jovial, and dealers reported solid sales.”

Holly Hotchner, Director, MAD; Mark Lyman; Nanette Laitman, President, MAD Board of Governors; Barbara Tober, Chairman, MAD Board of Governors; Susan Chin.

Stephanie Lang, Associate Development Officer for Special Events--MAD; Sandra Grotta, Chair, Opening Night Benefit.

SOFA Opening Night was also the kick-off event for Contemporary Decorative Arts Week in New York City, a citywide celebration of New York’s vibrant contemporary decorative and design arts, organized by SOFA and the Museum of Arts & Design (MAD). Susan Chin, Deputy Commissioner for Capital Projects for New York Ciy’s Department of Cultural Affairs presented a Proclamation from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg officially designating Contemporary Decorative Arts Week in New York City, June 2 - 8. View CDAW schedule of events.

Garth Clark Gallery, New York enjoyed key sales including a major sculpture by Carlo Zauli, #39 Column, part of is a stunning Special Exhibit at SOFA NEW YORK, Carlo Zauli (1926-2002) and Contemporary European Ceramics: A Survey, organized by Garth Clark and presented in conjunction with the Museo Carlo Zauli, Faenza, Italy. Also selling at Garth Clark Gallery was Akio Takamori, Seduction, circa 1987; Isamu Noguchi, Omen, 1952; and Richard Notkin, Demons of the Intellect: Professing to become Wise, they Became Fools, 1979.

Myrna Zuckerman, MAD Auction Chair with Dan Dailey.

Perhaps the night biggest sales were two Dan Dailey pieces at Leo Kaplan Modern, New York: King and Queen, Sconces, 2004, $78,000; and Touch, 2004 for $48,000. Scott Jacobson of Leo Kaplan Modern said, “Interest Opening Night was strong with many important collectors attending. Sales were brisk.” Dan Daily was on hand to great patrons and present his new work.

Michael Glancy and Ruby Converging Continum, 2003.

It was a great night for artists premiering bodies of new work. Barry Friedman, Inc. sold two pieces by Michael Glancy of deeply engraved cut blown glass with metal inclusions. Friedman’s presentation at SOFA NEW YORK is Glancy’s first exhibition in New York in four years.

Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York sold three large-scale stoneware sculptures by Swedish artist, Eva Hild, whom Margolis introduced to SOFA collectors for the first time last night. Margolis said, “We were thrilled with the response to Eva’s work last night.”

Valeriy Kuchinsky, UN Ambassador for Ukraine; Nelli Isupov; Mrs. Kuchinsky; Sergei Isupov.

Leslie Ferrin of Ferrin Gallery, Lenox, MA said, “Opening Night exceeded all our expectations. It was so rewarding to have part of the team effort to bring the Isupov family artwork to America.” Ferrin Gallery sold six ceramic sculptures by Sergei Isupov and five by Nelli Isupov, Sergei’s mother, new to SOFA collectors this year.

Gallery Materia, Scottsdale, AZ premiered new work by Matt Moulthrop, son of veteran wood turner Ed Moulthrop, exhibited at SOFA for the first time, selling three pieces.Opening Night, including White Pine Globe, 2004 Also selling well was newcomer John Rose, whose The Fifth Spirit, 2004 sold Opening Night.

Donna Schneier of Donna Schneier Fine Arts, New York, introduced new work that was a clear departure for ceramic artist, Michael Lucero — figurative ceramic sculpture wrapped in embroidery. Schneier sold three of Lucero’s 2003 Elf Series Opening Night. Schneier also sold major secondary market pieces, including key works by Lucero, Wendell Castle, William Morris, and Rick Dillingham, who passed away from AIDS at a very young age. Dillingham constructed ceramic vessels forms, deconstructed them into pieces and then reassembled them into place. Schneier said, holding a seminal 1980 vessel by Dillingham, “This is the purpose of the secondary market, to rescue and resurrect.”

Wendell Castle, Lamp,		Donna Schneier with Dillingham vessel.

SOFA NEW YORK 2004 Opening Night Gala press release (pdf document)

Artist David Ebner discussing his 1970 Chest of Drawers. Represented by Moderne Gallery, Philadelphia. (Click on image to view David Ebner speaking about his work)

An energetic crowd of 900+ patrons and artists, guests of their galleries, attended the Sixth Annual International SOFA NEW YORK 2003 Opening Night Gala, a benefit for the Museum of Arts and Design. The mood was very festive, and the show floor was crowded until close with collectors, curators, artists and patrons delighting in the masterworks debuting at the exposition. Many artists represented by SOFA galleries and dealers attended Opening Night, sharing insights on their latest work. New to www.sofaexpo.com are QuickTime streaming videos of artists attending Opening Night discussing their new work!

Guests bidding on silent auction items at Opening Night.

A fitting kick-off event for New York City’s Contemporary Decorative Arts Week, May 28 — June 3, as officially declared by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, SOFA NEW YORK Opening Night showcased the very best galleries, representing the top artists, whose works bridge the decorative and fine arts. Cognoscenti were delighted with the addition of three key dealers to SOFA NEW YORK, seminal in the development of the field: Garth Clark Gallery, New York, Frank Lloyd Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, and Joan B. Mirviss, New York.

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