The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden brought back the electrifying decade of MTV, Madonna and neon at its spring gala Saturday, May 12, hosting more than 300 revelers for an evening of performances and dancing. In celebration of the Hirshhorn’s current exhibition “Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s,” and its commitment to bringing the work of leading artists to Washington, the museum recognized Jeff Koons for his role in transforming contemporary art in the 1980s. Art and culture enthusiasts discovered the Hirshhorn transformed for a late-night ’80s party, featuring a one-night-only commissioned dessert performance by artist Jennifer Rubell, custom ’80s-themed cocktails and tables of decadent vintage-inspired desserts and candy. Crowds gathered to toast Koons, ejoying Rubell’s dessert performance before cutting loose to the decade’s iconic soundtrack, spun by DJ Jus Ske. Rubell is known for participatory installations that often use food as a medium. For her first commissioned performance in Washington, “Send in the Clowns,” Rubell staged 30 professional clowns throughout Hirshhorn’s inner ring, inviting guests to join wild and wacky challenges to earn chocolate, such as spinning plates and shooting balloon arrows. In a nod to “Brand New’s” New York roots, the museum tapped Gotham tastemaker and nightlife impresario, artist, emcee and critic DJ Jus Ske to spin the 1980s’ greatest hits. All proceeds from the gala support Hirshhorn’s free public programs and exhibitions. Hirshhorn Gala Co-Chairs Lisa and Josh Bernstein and Trustee Haryanto Adikoesoemo and Sintawati Ongkowijoyo were joined by Vice-Chairs Jill and Jay Bernstein, Jane and Calvin Cafritz, Steve Elmendorf, Adam and Martha Metz and Board Chair Dan Sallick and Elizabeth Miller, along with fellow Trustees Ken and Tamra Bentsen and Jill and Senator Tom Udall (NM).
