The Watermill Center’s Summer Benefit: A Night of Edgy High-End Art

The Watermill Center’s annual summer benefit once again proved to be a showcase of cutting-edge high-end art. Guests from various creative fields, including music, architecture, fashion, and art, gathered to witness a series of avant-garde performances that pushed the boundaries of traditional art forms. This year’s theme, “A Laboratory: 100 Years of Experimentation,” paid homage to the center’s unique history as a former telecommunications laboratory transformed into a sprawling Hamptons art hub.

Throughout the event, guests wandered through the 10-acre wooded property, encountering 20 site-specific performances and installations that challenged perceptions and provoked thought. From a man running on a treadmill in front of a block of ice to a performer holding a fake pig perched on a stand, the evening was filled with surreal and thought-provoking moments. Artist Robson Catalunha intrigued guests with his attire of ears and a snout while casually vaping and sipping on a martini, adding a touch of whimsy to the proceedings.

The diverse lineup of performances included artists singing different notes in a corridor created by Dai Asano, symbolizing a harmonious yet dissonant experience for guests as they walked through. Other artists engaged in physical acts of contortion and endurance, such as crawling over sharp seashells and concrete balls. One artist skillfully manipulated cloth to create the illusion of being in a bathtub, while another sat in a box, holding a replica of their own head and sipping on a Sprite.

Celebrating Artistic Visionaries

The event also paid tribute to renowned choreographer Lucinda Childs, whose seminal work was showcased during the evening. In addition, guests were treated to a captivating performance by rapper and performance artist Mykki Blanco, adding a contemporary twist to the celebration of artistic expression. Overall, the Watermill Center’s summer benefit succeeded in bringing together a diverse group of creatives to celebrate experimentation, pushing the boundaries of art and challenging conventional norms.