All the style and scoop on the Venetian-inspired black-tie gala benefitting the World Monuments Fund
I got dumped at 6 pm, but nothing cures heartache like a fabulous gala. By 7pm, I was dressed to the nines and ready for the 35th Annual Hadrian Gala, benefiting the World Monuments Fund. The Venetian-inspired event (held at The New York Public Library) is dedicated to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places.
At the cocktail reception guests donned black-tie attire and masks while watching a performance by Grammy winning opera singer (and Director of Opera Philadelphia), Anthony Roth Costanzo who captivated the audience with two pieces by Vivaldi: “Nel Profondo Cieco Mondo” and “Sol Da Te Mio Dolce Amore.” Accompanying Costanzo were members of the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet principal Peter Walker and Eliza Blutt. Adorned in custom purple capes by Rebecca Kanach, Costanzo’s performance evoked a Stanley Kubrick “Eyes Wide Shut” aesthetic, in the most delightful (and not dangerous) way possible.
Despite the masks, I spotted Prince Amyn Aga Khan, writer Bob Colacello, Susan and François de Menil, Jennifer Fischer, Marina Kellen French, Sabine Getty, Germano Giuliani, Marlene Hess, Jane Holzer, Rashid Johnson, Julia Koch, Laura Kugel, Elizabeth Kurpis, Bradley Lander, Stephen Lash, Anthony Ledru, Isabelle Trapnell Marino, Christian Louboutin, Peter Miller, Janet Montag, Elizabeth Peabody, Marc Porter, Kevin Ramnaraine, Indré and Justin Rockefeller, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Barbara Tober, to name a handful.
Dinner was downstairs with a menu crafted in collaboration with Daniel Boulud. The tablescapes exuded Venetian glamour – even the aubergine featured an edible mask. I sat next to Javier Ors Ausin, Senior Program Manager of Special Programs, who oversees the Modernism Program, the Jewish Heritage Program, and the Crisis Response Program. Ausin shared that he is currently managing projects in six countries, including a preservation initiative for the Fabric Synagogue in Timisoara, Romania. The scope of Ausin’s work is massive and impressive, encompassing over 700 diverse cultural heritage sites across 112 countries.
Architect Peter Marino, FAIA, and Dr. Marilyn Perry, Chair Emerita of the World Monuments Fund and President Emerita of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, were honored. It was emphasized that both honorees share a deep bond through their lifelong dedication to the Venetian projects supported by the World Monuments Fund. Accepting the 2024 Hadrian Award, Perry said: “One of our early challenges at WMF was to demonstrate to a larger audience the universal value of our work. Presenting the Hadrian Award [named for the ancient Roman Emperor] to notable international individuals drew attention to their concern for heritage sites and recognized the value of a universal movement. Now, as a Hadrian Awardee myself, I celebrate World Monuments Fund as a core adventure of my life.”
“It’s a great privilege to be recognized by the World Monuments Fund at this year’s Hadrian Gala and support WMF’s mission to preserve and protect the world’s architectural and cultural heritage,” Marino said. “As chairman of Venetian Heritage, I work to preserve and restore the architecture and art in one of my favorite cities — Venice — which WMF has worked tirelessly to protect.” Marino has supported extensive architectural and art renovations and restorations in Venice, including the ancient patrician palace Cà D’Oro on the Grand Canal, Museo di Palazzo Grimani, and life-size Antonio Rizzo statues for the Ducal Palace. Marino quipped that he researched Hadrian and was impressed by his 200-acre villa and hoped that someone would hire him for such a job. – ALEXANDER HANKIN
All photographs by Jason Lowrie for BFA
