They Were Defining A Moment, We Were Capturing It

Last night we went to the chic fun and funky House of Campari at 54 Crosby Street to check out Defining a Moment: 25 New York Artists – an exhibit sponsored by the Campari Contemporary Art Program. Last night was opening night hosted by Paper Magazine and the Guggenheim’s Young Collectors Council with a special (and butt kicking) performance by the XYZ Affair. As you might have guessed, Campari WAS served at this event.

Its one thing to toast to an artist’s success with a glass of Campari, but it’s even better when you realize Campari is responsible for fostering the success of that artist through one of their various platforms to help emerging artists.

Artists all over the world have been both inspired and supported by Campari since its inception in the 1860s. Campari has maintained a close relationship with the arts, not only as the social lubricant that fuels great conversation ABOUT art in cafes that serve Campari, but also because Campari sponsors countless art exhibitions, commissions and programs to inspire dialogue about contemporary visual art.

The Defining a Moment: 25 New York Artists exhibit is one such example of this. The exhibit, which is housed in a mult-level loftlike brownstone in Nolita, is taking place from May 30th to June 15th. On display are various works of art by, appropriately enough, 25 artists, ranging from silk screened paintings to photographs and visual art in a media medium (say that fast 10 times). There will also be many events during this time keeping the House of Campari churning.

Last night’s event was filled to the brim (with a lively mix of socials, artists, hipsters and chic-sters) like a Campari Martini itself. My partner in crime, Keith Lissner and I had a blast slinking from room to room checking out the various art forms, all of which have previously been on display in local NY galleries. We spotted notables like PaperMag’s Mickey Boardman and Artists Jeremy Kost. The highlight of the night was the performance by XYZ Affair, a band of cool/cute “dudes” creating some seriously making me want to move in my penny loafers music! That’s when I had my defining moment: I’ll be back to the House of Campari again before June 15th. See YOU there!