Textile legend Jack Lenor Larsen hosted his annual Summer Gala at his estate, LongHouse Reserve, a 16-acre East Hampton art garden last weekend honoring artist Dale Chihuly and Barbara Slifka.

Edward Albee and Charlie Cowles

This year’s gala raised $400,000 to support LongHouse’s mission to exemplify living with art in all forms – a mission Larsen began in 1991. Larsen is known as one of the world’s foremost advocates of traditional and contemporary crafts.

Honorary Chairs included: Edward Albee, Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Becky and Jack Benaroya, Jim Baker, Simona and Jerome Chazen, Patricia Durkan, Lisa de Kooning, Anne Hauberg, Bill T. Jones, Marjorie Levy, Dorothy Litchenstein, Jenny Ljundberg, Richard Meier, Ala Rogers, Ambassador Carl Spielvogel and Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Fern and Lenard Tessler, Robert Wilson.

Tamara Breverman and Richard Meier

This year’s gala celebrated LongHouse’s 20th Anniversary with the theme White Hot and Blue, highlighting the colors turquoise, cobalt and sapphire. Chihuly created three very special glass installations specifically for this year’s Gala, reflecting the theme of the evening, and they will be displayed at LongHouse throughout the season. The glass installations are titled: Blue and Purple Boat, 2006-2011; White Belugas, 2008; and Neodymium Reeds, 2011.

Artist Cindy Sherman

This year’s silent auction was conducted electronically via a handheld device pre-loaded with every auction item and bidders received updates throughout the evening. Highlights of the live auction items included an original composition by Laurie Anderson, which went for $4,500 and a ceramic dinner service for 12 by Yoshiaki Yuki, which went for $19,000.

During the gala, a special performance by principals of the New York City Ballet took place at one of LongHouse’s beautiful gardens.

A special addition to the evening’s entertainment included a solo performance by artist Illenk Gentille Andilolo from, “I La Galigo”, a musical-theater work by acclaimed artist and choreographer, Robert Wilson. The piece is based on an adaption by Rhoda Grauer of the epic Indonesian creation myth "Sureq Galigo", and has been shown around the world since 2004. Illenk’s performance as Galigo was introduced by Wilson and served as a special tribute to LongHouse’s Gala Honoree, Slifka.

Also for the first time this year, the Big Apple Circus performers entertained guests during cocktails. Bacardi was this year’s sponsor and guests enjoyed specialty cocktails reflecting this year’s blue and white theme. Canard once again whipped up a delectable menu with the theme of “A Country Picnic.”

LongHouse Reserve hours: Wednesday through Saturday 2-5pm, July & August;  Wednesday & Saturday 2-5 p.m Sept.to Oct 8.

Credit: Patrick McMullan/ Stephanie Lewin