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Photo courtesy of B & B Italia, ELLE DECOR and Kenny Scharf
Take a Seat: Artist Kenny Scharf Partners with B&B Italia for Unframed 2010
By Natalie Fasano
Artistic legend Kenny Scharf-- a fixture of the 1980s New York social scene and a staple of the ubiquitous Warhol set and a close friend of Keith Haring’s-- has partnered with ELLE DECOR and B&B Italia to present the 20th installment of the “Unframed” public art auction and fundraiser at the Manhattan House. All proceeds will directly benefit ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America), a not for profit organization that supports international HIV awareness, treatment and research initiatives. The “Unframed” art auction is supported by donations from notable names in the art and design industries; this year, a custom B&B Italia char designed by Sharf will be the piece to come home with.
Other artists include: Michele Abeles, David Armstrong, William Betts, Lizzi Bougatsos, Slater Bradley, Bruce High Quality Foundation, Todd Cole, Dan Colen, Piero Golia, Adam Helms, Jonah Freeman, Alisha Kerlin, Scott King, Markus Linnenbrink, Lovett/Codagnone, Nate Lowman, Ari Marcopoulos, Nick Mauss, Ryan McNamara, Josephine Meckseper, Wardell Milan, Rashaad Newsome, Dom Nurre, Matt Porter, Sara Rafferty, Richard Renaldi, Mariah Robertson, David Sherry, Erin Shirreff, Janaina Tschape.
Fundraising on the Upper East Side is hardly a new idea, and AIDS has been a favorite cause for years, but this year’s concept for “Unframed” is at once audaciously honest and refreshingly irreverent; a paradigm shift, of sorts. In the 80s AIDS did not yet exist, but “gay cancer” did. It was popularly known as a mysterious ailment of the homosexual community, end of story. In the perverted lens of the media and popular culture, if you looked sick, you were gay and you probably deserved what was coming to you. Then came 1990, when the “Golden Era” of New York came to an abrupt and tragic end, when Haring and countless others succumbed to HIV, when "gay cancer" finally became AIDs, and when so-called social morality hit the glass ceiling. The disillusionment of the 1990’s spawned an interesting cultural realization, a microcosm of the global community’s throughout the economic collapse—we learned that everything in life is transitive.
Scharf has been an artist for decades and he has lived through the nation’s most notable political and social epochs. To him, life is an experience of consistent animation. His art features bright, cartoonish figures—from Fred Flinstone to frosted doughnuts—which are either sculpted, spray-painted, brushed and upholstered, depending on Sharf’s mood or creative desire. When asked about his inspiration for the featured B&B chair up for auction, bright yellow with bulging eyes, he simply replied: “most objects to me are animated. I just put eyeballs on it and it makes it, well, more animated.” Scharf keeps to what he knows—he is an artist. He has witnessed firsthand the effects of many kinds of hubris and appears reluctant to don too many personalities. He does not position himself as a mentor to young artists, he lives in Brooklyn not because is it the thing to do these days but because he can’t afford to live in Manhattan, he’s not out to save the world and he certainly hasn’t made it his mission to cure AIDs—“I’m only one man,” he explained, “I do what I can.” Sharf appears neither to own a soapbox nor to really care what people think of his work as a reflection of or on him self; instead, he just wants people to think, to have a point of view, and to engage with the world around them. I for one am very interested in having that crazy kissable chair of Sharf’s in my own apartment.
“Unframed” will take place at the Manhattan House, 200 E 66th St. this evening from 6-9pm. Tickets are $20 and may only be purchased at the door. Bids will start around $100 and all proceeds will benefit ACRIA.
WHEN: TONIGHT!, April 29, 2010 6-9pm
WHERE: Manhattan House, 200 E. 66th Street
EXPECT: Leading artists contributINF unique series or editions for sale at unbelievably low prices (starting at $100). Also up for auction this year, a Manhattan chair from B&B Italia that has been customized by famed artist Kenny Scharf. Bidding for the chair begins on artnet.com, with all proceeds going to ACRIA.
BRING: Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the door only. All proceeds from the evening will benefit ACRIA.
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