Art takes center stage at the LFNY Gala on February 21, 2015 at the Park Avenue Armory. This year’s theme, “Sortir du Cadre – The World is Your Canvas,” celebrates art as a form of self-expression and as a means of bringing communities together. New York-based French artist JR will be honored for his groundbreaking works and global reach. In this interview, Gala co-chair Anne-Gaelle Van de Weghe talks about why she decided to volunteer this year, why she likes JR and what to expect for the big event.
LFNY: Why did you decide become one of the co-chairs of the Gala 2015?
Anne-Gaelle Van de Weghe: My friend Amira Salaam Amro (co-chair of the Gala 2014, ed) convinced me to participate this year. It’s a great honor for me to be a part of the volunteer team of co-chairs (along with Catherine Flores Sille, Nastassja Balick Coppers and Anthony Coppers) because we all get along really well. In fact, it’s even better than what I thought it would be! We are all very creative; we work for a cause – the Lycée Français de New York – that is so close to our hearts, and everyone is very appreciative of our work.
The 2015 Gala co-chairs (from left to right): Anthony Coppers, Nastassja Balick Coppers, Catherine Flores Sille and Anne-Gaëlle Van de Weghe.
What is this year’s theme?
This year the theme is Sortir du Cadre – The World is Your Canvas, it’s all about art. It’s a world I grew up in, and it’s an extraordinary one. I’ve worked in art showrooms myself here in New York, where I actually met my husband, the owner of the art gallery Van de Weghe. Many artists have shown tremendous generosity in making donations of some of their work to support the Lycée’s auction for the Gala, and we are so grateful to them.
You’re doing something different this year with the auction. Tell us about that.
Yes. For the first time, we are organizing an online art auction that will have over 50 pieces sold before the Gala, partnering up with the online art auction house Paddle8. From January 30 to February 12, everyone interested in bidding on any of the contemporary artworks donated for the Gala, can visit paddle8.com/auction/lfny. You’ll have to create an account, and then the bidding process follows the same format as eBay, except that it involves artwork exclusively. We’re featuring an array of contemporary art in many media – lithography, oil paint, sculpture, etc. — at a wide range of prices. Some of the artists featured are: Enoc Perez, Justin Adian, Harold Ancart, Patrick Demarchelier, Aaron Young, Jon Pestoni, Inma Barrero, Sophie Calle, Bruce Weber, Takashi Murakami, Magritte, David Salle.
Bid online with Paddle8.
JR is the honoree of this year’s gala. What do you think of JR’s art?
What I like about this street-artist and photographer is his message. He is known all over the world for his oversized photos of ordinary people that he posts on the streets. His work gives a voice to those who don’t have one and lets them express themselves. This is particularly true for developing countries, where we often find photos of leaders posted on buildings, but not of the people.
Find out more about the Gala and buy your tickets here.
About the Author :
Kate Lubinger leads all community events for the school including the Gala, Fall Fete Foraine, Skating Party and the Spring Fair. In her spare time, Kate loves baseball, playing tennis, running and trying out new recipes.