Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1544634
A Big Art NIGHT S ince 2001, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has been rewriting the canon of 20th-century art history. That's thanks to the MFAH's Department of Latin American Art, where curator Mari Carmen Ramírez reigns. Every two years, the museum puts on its epic Latin American Experience Gala: Some 500 international collectors, artists, and gallerists flock from Latin America, the U.S., and Europe to raise funds, engage in private collection and museum tours, and pay homage to what is arguably the MFAH's signature department. This year's gala, which generated $1.6 million, had the benefit of Fridamania — guests took in Ramírez's sweeping take on Frida Kahlo and her influence across five generations of artists in "Frida: The Making of an Icon" (on view through May 17). The bittersweet part of the night: Museum director Gary Tinterow dedicated the gala to Houston arts patron Brad Bucher, a staunch museum supporter, who passed away days earlier. With a thematic seated dinner by City Kitchen, dancing to Grupo KaChe, and opulent decor by The Events Company that channeled Kahlo's home, La Casa Azul, the evening smoldered with Latin vibes. What stole the show, however, was the pre-dinner live auction, where Latin American art expert August Uribe oversaw dramatic bidding; the top lots reached six figures for works by historical talents Xul Solar and Gego. PC Seen: Chairs Erika and John Toussaint; Mary and Bernie Arocha and daughter Lauren Arocha; Anne and Arturo Barragán; PAC Residency's Paola and Arturo Creixell with curator Andrei Fernández and indigenous textile artist Claudia Alarcón, both in from Argentina; Guggenheim curator Pablo León de la Barra; Transart Foundation's Surpik Angelini; Carlos Cruz Puga; Celina Hellmund with son León Brener-Hellmund; Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino's María Inés Sicardi, Allison and David Ayers, and Carlos Bacino; Michele Leal and George Farah; Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin; Joanne Houck and Timothy Singletary; BeDesign's Adrian Dueñas and Marcelo Sáenz; Rosa Hernández and Hector Flores; Art of the World Gallery's Liliana Molina and Mauricio Vallejo; Cathy and Alex López Negrete; Mike Loya; Lucinda and Javier Loya; Carla and Antonio Maarraoui; Karen Lubetkin; Cindy and Andy Lubetkin; and Judy and Charles Tate. For MFAH: Latin America Calling By Catherine D. Anspon. Photography Jenny Antill Clifton and Wilson Parish. Jennie Segal, Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch David Larned & Sarah Lamb Chair Erika Toussaint Mari Carmen Ramírez Chair John Toussaint Asasia & Jerod Pierce Marc & Veronika Adler Johanna & Stephen Donson Judy & Charles Tate Cynthia Petrello Melinda Stubbs Celina Hellmund Paola & Arturo Creixell Christopher Gardner & Gary Tinterow, August Uribe Cate Glover Samantha Glover 22