Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Summer Art Festival Heads to Upper East Side's 'Waterfall Mansion'

 The show features more than 150 works by contemporary artists.
The Upper East Side's "Waterfall Mansion" Hosts Summer Art Festival
View Full Caption

UPPER EAST SIDE — A house that many consider a work of art is playing host to a unique gallery show this summer.

The Waterfall Mansion, a renovated carriage house on East 80th Street that features a 20-foot indoor cascade and pond, is hosting the “Feel Life Summer Art Festival.” The show runs through Aug. 31 and features more than 150 works by emerging and established contemporary artists. In addition, there will be a series of special events including a fashion show, a concert and a celebrity chef demonstration.

Works by more than 70 artists are on display throughout the five-story mansion, offering guests a peek of the home, which was given a modern makeover by Japanese architect Toshiko Mori in 2011. Featured artists include contemporary Japanese painter Takashi Murakami, American architect and abstract artist Richard Meier and modern art icon Andy Warhol.

The show was curated by Kate Shin, owner and developer of the Waterfall, and Alessandro Berni, art critic and owner of a contemporary gallery in Italy.

Shin purchased the 120-year-old carriage house in 2008. The 13,000-square-foot space was gut-renovated and now includes a ground-floor commercial gallery, a 1,000-bottle wine cellar and a spa with gym, sauna and massage room. The house has been on the market several times, most recently in October 2013 when it was priced at $39 million, according to Curbed.

In the meantime, Shin has marketed the house as an event space for a variety of creative endeavors. Artist Edwina Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill, has held private showings in the space. The house has also played host to a showcase by interior designer Inson Wood.

Shin likes to encourage collaboration across creative industries.

“Creativity should be fostered in community, not isolated,” she said in a statement.

In keeping with that idea, Shin has organized a series of events to accompany the art festival. On June 24, haute couture dress designer Victor de Souza will unveil some of his latest designs. The Solisti string ensemble will play a concert on July 23 and several chefs will perform cooking demonstrations on Aug. 5.

Gallery admission is by appointment only. Email info@waterfallmansion.com for more information.