With a big elaborate dildo and promises of a "little stimulation," the Art Directors
Club's invite for the 78th Annual Awards Gala and exhibition preview, celebrating Gold
and Silver Medalists and Distinctive Merit Winners, looked intriquing. Sponsored by
Tony Stone Images and held at their great gallery space on Thursday, June 3, there
was, as promised, a multi-media smorgasbord and sporadic/sonic bursts, elegant
edibles (including sushi bar) and bubbly beverages (full open bar). Women were attired
in everything from a full-out taupe embroidered hoop-skirted ball gown, clean
kimono-like dresses, strappy (and strapless) dresses and tottering strappy sandals to
match. Men were outfitted too, in slick patterned shirts, well-cut pants, fashionably
clunky shoes and hip haircuts. I saw Paul Crayton of Digital New York and met
Susanne Ackerman of Flatiron News. Stuart McBride of UDA was there without his
trademark baseball cap and introduced me to Mary Bogart (VP, Product Dev., M.Z.
Berger & Co.) who works with people on designed watches. Kevin Skoglund (UDA,
Operations Manager), Mike Essl of Chopping Block, Nick Cogan of BullseyeArt and I
witnessed the ear-splitting sounds of static as background music to an African man
painted gold dancing with a traditionally attired Japanese woman beating a drum as the
two danced, tapped, gyrated and jived. Wowee -- there's some Footloose fancy
footwork!
