OLE!

Ballet Hispanico (www.ballethispanico.org) held its annual black tie Spring Gala on Monday evening at the Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Now in its 20th year, the evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing had at its theme “Community Partnerships through the Arts”. The Ford Foundation was honored with the Civic Inspiration Award, and in the words of Kate Lear, Chair of Ballet Hispanico’s Board of Directors, they are “a champion among our supporters and an organization truly committed to building vibrant communities through the arts.”

John and Jody Ahnold

The event was headed by Event Chairs Jody and John Arnhold, Kate Lear and Jonathan LaPook, David Pérez and Milena Alberti, and Randy and Susan Falco.  The Gala Honorary Committee is co-chaired by designer Angel Sanchez and Telemundo COO Jacqueline Hernández.  Proceeds, which totaled over $1 million, benefit the creation of new Company works, need-based financial aid and merit scholarships in the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and community arts education programs.

Ballet Hispanico Dancers

And it was certainly a feast for the ears and the eyes. Attendees were entertained with music from two time Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, performances by the Ballet Hispanico Company and students of the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and were given a sneak peek of original costumes created by Angel Sanchez for El Beso (The Kiss). Choreographed by Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, it will kick off the new season and runs from April 15 – 27th at the Joyce Theatre.

Angel Sanchez, Diana DiMenna, Eduardo Vilaro

While the Venezuelan born fashion designer and CFDA member has designed ballet costumes in his native home, this is the first time he has done so here. His eveningwear and bridal lines, known for being dramatic, feminine, and architectural, put an emphasis on form and structure (not surprising since his first love was architecture) and have captivated his devoted clients and fans which include Giselle Bundchen, Taylor Swift, Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, and Sandra Bullock.

-Marilyn Kirschner

“Black and White Carpet”

Stephane Kossmann (Photos: Laurel Marcus) Click on images for larger views

Capturing the rare unguarded red carpet celebrity moment  is something that photographer Stephane Kossmann could publish a book on.  Actually, make that two books.   Last night I attended the opening exhibition of 27 of his black and white photos on display at FIAF Gallery at the French Institute/ Alliance Francaise  ( 22 East 60th Street).  The exhibit shares the name of one of his  publications: “Black and White Carpet” and  is open from Wednesday, April 9 through Saturday, June 14.  The Franco-German Kossmann who splits his time between New York and Paris, is well-known for his more than 26 years of photos of the stars at the Cannes Film Festival whether he shoots them ascending the steps of the Palais or even better, as they alight from their cars.

Unlike the paparazzi, Kossman does not call out the celebrity’s name in an effort to get them to turn to face him; he prefers a sideways or three-quarter shot.  “I think it is much more interesting than when they look into the camera,” he has said in French.  He works in natural light without a flash and always in black and white to attain those fleeting and spontaneous moments which other photographers don’t attempt to capture.  Often these photos are close up head shots rather than the typical red carpet full length fashion shots and are much more intimate than their posed counterparts.

Gallery

On display at the exhibit are a mix of foreign stars and Americans: everyone from  Angelina Jolie to Isabelle Huppert, from Sean Penn to Jean-Paul Belmondo,  Julianne Moore to Catherine Deneuve.  Sadly, one of Kossmann’s most iconic photos, one of Madonna in a car, is not on view in this collection however his photo of Nicole Kidman was being widely praised by attendees (many French speaking).  His work is so well regarded that during the 2004 and 2005 festivals several of his photos were featured on 100-square-meter posters throughout the city in a show of gratitude by the mayor and citizens of Cannes.  At the exhibit all prints are for sale ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 depending on size.

“The scene”

Kossman was born in Tours, France and first studied photography at the Rencontres internationales de la Photographie d’Arles.  There he met the man who became his mentor, world-renowned photographer Peter Knapp.  Kossman went to work for the magazine “7 a Paris” and in 1989 he was appointed to coverage of the Cannes Film Festival. His editorial clients include Elle, Vogue, Marie-Claire, Gala and Studio.  He has done advertising for Chopard, Nike, Harry Winston, Ralph Lauren, Renault Nissan and de Grisogono. His other book is entitled “Observations sur les marches de Cannes”  (Observations on the stairs at Cannes).  His portfolio of work includes four series: “Observations”, “Cross”, “Duo”, and “Time.” Since 2009 he has organized an open air exhibit of  international photographers every July, in his hometown of Pierrevert featuring the work of 50 photographers projected on a big screen.

-Laurel Marcus

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Ole!

Latinos and Hispanics comprise more than 16.7% of the total population of the United States and while I don’t have the statistics on the overall world population, I do know that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. Is the Pope Hispanic? (you bet!) The rich, multi layered, and colorful heritage that defines the Latino and Hispanic culture could not be more perfectly suited for fashion and, in fact, it has long served as inspiration for some of the world’s most influential fashion designers (many of whom unsurprisingly, boast Hispanic backgrounds).

The work of Spanish born Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1986), considered to be fashion’s “Picasso” by Cecil Beaton, was very much rooted in Spanish culture, tradition and regional cues. Santo Dominican born Oscar de la Renta, trained by Cristobal Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo, has been similarly inspired by his cultural heritage throughout his illustrious career. He in fact, conceived ‘Balenciaga: Spanish Master’, the exhibition which was curated by Vogue’s Hamish Bowles, and was on view at New York’s Queen Sofia Spanish Institute from 11/19/2010 through 2/19/2011.The exhibit was notable in that it is the first to illustrate the strong hold and powerful spell which Spain’s rich culture, history, and art, apparently cast over one of its most revered, creative, and legendary ‘sons’.

BH Students Perform at Cocktails Photo: (c) Julie Skarrat

Isabel and Ruben Toledo’s Cuban roots are always apparent within their work (hers as a fashion designer and his, as a fashion illustrator) and Cuban-American Narciso Rodriguez, has from time to time referenced his cultural heritage. A Spanish subplot wove through the fall 1995 couture shows in Paris, and Yves Saint Laurent admitted to having been inspired by the paintings of Goya and Spanish toreodors. Most recently, Ralph Lauren traveled (if not literally, then in his mind) to Latin America and Mexico for inspiration for his Spring 2013 collection and for the past few months, full page Ralph Lauren ads have run in the Sunday Styles section of The New York Times, many of which have featured the line’s Spanish themed heavily embroidered vests, full sleeved white cotton shirts, ruffled black organza boleros, jaunty fringe trims, and tooled leather bags.

Honoree Randy Falco, President and CEO of Univision Communication

While the Hispanic and Latino culture and heritage has served as a jumping off point and inspiration for all the arts, of all its rigorous disciplines, perhaps none captures its inherent flamboyance, and expressive, joyful exuberance, as dance, as exemplified by Ballet Hispanico, www.ballethispanico.org . Based in New York, it is widely recognized as the nation’s premier Latino dance organization. Now in its 42nd year, it was founded by Tina Ramirez in 1970 and is currently under the tutelage of Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro. What originally began as a dance school and community based performing arts troupe, has morphed into a world class institution whose divisions (the professional Company, the School of Dance, the Education and Outreach programs), work in unison to uphold its mission to explore, preserve, and celebrate the diverse nationalities that comprise Latino cultures (Venezuela, Cuba, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia) through dance.

Young student dancers

Last evening, Ballet Hispanico held its annual Spring Gala and celebrated the legacy of its School of Dance and honored Randy Falco, President and CEO of Univision Communication, the leading media company serving Hispanic America with its Civic Inspiration Award. Held in The Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, the celebration featured cocktails, dinner, live music from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and performances by the Ballet Hispanico Company and students of the Ballet Hispanico’s School of Dance (some as young as 9 years old). The unique performance choreographed by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro showcased a variety of works from Ballet Hispanico’s repertory over the past 40 years.

Judy Arnhold, Eduardo Vilaro, Tina Ramirez, Kate Lear

-Marilyn Kirschner

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