Known as the spark that ignited Miami as an international art center, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), North Miami is one of the most dynamic contemporary art museums in the United States. On February 25, 2012, in commemoration of its 15th anniversary, MOCA will hold a festive celebration highlighting its accomplishments and celebrating the many illustrious artists who are part of its history. The evening will also honor Alberto Ibargüen and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in recognition of their extraordinary support of MOCA and culture in Miami. The 15th Anniversary Celebration will begin with cocktails at 7 pm and will be followed by a seated dinner in MOCA’s galleries and special performance created for the occasion by artist Ragnar Kjartannson. The event will be attended by over 450 guests, among them, many of the world’s leading artists and collectors.
The evening celebrates the artists who have been part of MOCA’s history since 1996 including: Rita Ackermann, Cory Arcangel, Daniel Arsham, Richard Artschwager, Jose Bedia, Hernan Bas, Pablo Cano, Robert Chambers, George Condo, William Cordova, Ann Craven, Thomas Demand, Peter Doig, Tracey Emin, Inka Essenhigh, Teresita Fernández, Claire Fontaine, Dara Friedman, Ellen Gallagher, Luis Gispert, Adler Guerrier, Peter Halley, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Mark Handforth, Isaac Julien, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Karen Kilimnik, Vitaly Komar, Christian Marclay, Malcolm Morley, Ernesto Neto, Albert Oehlen, Laura Owens, Yoko Ono, Gabriel Orozco, Roxy Paine, Jorge Pantoja, Richard Phillips, Raymond Pettibon, Jack Pierson, Bert Rodriguez, Ed Ruscha, David Salle, Anri Sala, Julian Schnabel, Shinique Smith, Frank Stella, and Bruce Weber, among others.
Irma and Norman Braman are Honorary Chairs of the event. Leading South Florida philanthropists and MOCA Trustees who include: Dr. Kira and Neil Flanzraich, Francie Bishop Good and David Horvitz, Barbara Herzberg, Joanne Katz, Dr. Shulamit and Chaim Katzman, Jan and Daniel Lewis and Diane and Alan Lieberman are the event’s Co-Chairs. Vice-Chairs are Sandra and Stephen Muss and Ray Ellen and Allan Yarkin,
Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz and Irma and Norman Braman are chairing the 15th Anniversary Collection that will be unveiled as part of the Celebration. Christine and Andy Hall serve as Honorary Chairs of the evening’s International Committee.
Cartier, MOCA’s long-time supporter, is the Lead Sponsor of the event. The evening is also sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
“The Celebration is a marvelous tribute to 15 years of MOCA’s extraordinary history,” said MOCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater. “It’s a wonderful way to kick off an exciting future, and the building expansion that will enable us to show more art and provide even more education programs for the public.”
MOCA is known for championing emerging artists before they are widely recognized and this event will capture the excitement of discovery through the visionary design of David Stark Design and Production. For his first major cultural event production in Miami, David Stark will use 15 years of printed history of the museum to transform its main gallery space with an abstract grid of 20,000 images to pay tribute to all that MOCA has accomplished over the years.
Stark noted, “The installation will be immersive, visually stunning, and a radical tribute to the amazing artists and cutting edge thinking that has made MOCA into the singular voice in contemporary art and culture that it is.”
The 15th Anniversary Celebration will extend beyond the evening of February 25, with a weekend of provocative explorations of ideas. Pairings of some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists will examine issues at the cutting edge of contemporary art. These history-making conversations, which will be open to the entire community, will take place on Sunday, February 26.
Individual tickets are $1,500.Tables of 10 are $15,000 and Art Patrons Tables of 12 are $25,000 each. For tickets and additional information, please contact Isabelle Londji at 305 893 6211 or ilondji@mocanomi.org.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Is located at 770 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL. for information, please visit www.mocanomi.org or call 305 893 6211.