The Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation celebrated its 23rd Annual Summer Benefit & Auction, a one-of-a-kind evening bringing together over 1,000 guests from the worlds of theater, art, performance, fashion, design, and society at The Watermill Center on Saturday, July 30th. The event, entitled FADA: HOUSE OF MADNESS, featured new works by Watermill’s International Summer Program participants that came from over 25 countries to create installations and performances throughout the eight and-a-half acre grounds. This year, The Watermill Center honored Madame Giancarla Berti. [all photos in this feature by Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com © 2016 robwayne1@aol.com 516-676-3939]

The Watermill Center Founded in 1992 by avant-garde visionary Robert Wilson is an interdisciplinary laboratory for the arts supporting young and emerging artists through its year-round Artist Residency Program, International Summer Program, Education Programs, and open rehearsals. The Center also presents exhibitions and public programs and offers tours of its 20,000-square-foot building and eight-and-a-half acre grounds and sculpture gardens throughout the year.

The Watermill Center collaborated for the first time with The Bruce High Quality Foundation (BHQF) to present As We Lay Dying – a variety of works and performances interspersed throughout The Center’s grounds that are a reflection on coming to terms with the contemporary world through personal, political and aesthetic perspectives. Sound installations by the internationally renowned singer and songwriter, ANOHNI, were adapted from her most recent recordings and played throughout the grounds.

The Watermill Center’s Annual Summer Benefit & Auction is one of the Hampton’s most highly-anticipated philanthropic events and largest fundraisers of the year. Proceeds support the year-round Artist Residency and Education Programs, which provide artists with unique opportunities to explore and develop new work.

The evening included performance and installations, a seated dinner and live auction, followed by a post-event party featuring a special performance piece, dessert and dancing. The live auction was hosted by veteran auctioneer Simon de Pury with over 125 lots donated by world-renowned and emerging artists, including: Marina Abramović, Francesco Clemente, Max Gimblett, Nan Goldin, Nir Hod, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov and Henry Taylor.

[all photos in this feature by Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com © 2016 robwayne1@aol.com 516-676-3939]