ONLY THE BEST

at the
Haughton International Art + Design Fair,
October 5-10, 2007

Nowhere in New York is the fusion of art and design seen to more compelling effect than at the Haughton International Art +Design Fair, which ran from October 5-10 at the Park Avenue Armory, Park Avenue at 67th Street. Extraordinary 20th century classic and vintage pieces were offered, alongside stunning contemporary design and works of art, to connoisseurs, collectors, curators, decorators and members of the visiting public. High praise for the fair's beauty and supreme-quality prevailed. The International Art + Design Fair has become the venue of choice for highly discerning collectors who only buy the best.

The fair is a platform for some of the hottest international galleries on the scene today, many of them at the vanguard of the explosion of interest in "design as art." Firmly ensconced as a "connoisseur's fair," an extremely savvy and well-educated collecting public made it a gratifying experience for the 56 top dealers who travelled from as far away as Australia, Belgium, and France to exhibit.

Bard Graduate Center organized the Bard Graduate Center at the International Art + Design Fair: Gala Preview and Loan Exhibition Bard Graduate Center for Studies in The Decorative Arts, Design and Culture was once again the recipient of the proceeds of The Opening Night Gala Preview Party on the evening of Thursday, October 4th -- a vibrant and highly successful fundraiser for the BGC's scholarship program. 700+ supporters attended the event including prominent socialites, collectors, interior designers and Bard supporters.

Every year, in conjunction with the Opening Night Preview, the BGC mounts a spectacular Loan Exhibition and Lecture Program at the fair, usually devoted to the work of one great design "legend." This year's exhibition celebrated the work of designer Alvin Lustig (1915-1955) the brilliant mid-century American modernist designer whose body of work included graphic and book design, architecture, industrial and interior design, and furniture design.

In addition, there was a hugely popular panel discussion entitled Design as Synthesis: Alvin Lustig's Legacy on Tuesday, October 9th from 6pm-7.15pm. Design historian Steven Heller, BGC professor Pat Kirkham, and exhibition curators Doug Clouse and Rita Jules shared their insights about the legacy of this visionary designer
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One of the biggest attractions in this year's fair was the spectacular booth of Bernd Goeckler Antiques, Inc (NY). Goeckler commented that "the fair was very well attended and that the visitors were largely people with serious interest in 20th century design and decoration. We are gratified to have sold all of our major pieces, both furniture and lighting. The furniture pieces, including a 12-piece dining room suite, a large armoire and an extending dining table all by André Sornay, and a 3-part bookcase by Franco Albini all represent very pure, restrained design carried out in fine materials. The Sornay pieces particularly represent the highest standards in French cabinetmaking from the 1930s and 1940s."

Private collectors and interior designers bought some of the great highlights that sold at this year's fair. Among them at Calderwood Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), a masterpiece of important Art Deco furniture by Joubert et Petit (DIM) cabinet in macassar ebony and ivory with original porteur marble top, French, circa 1924 for $125,000 (shown right).

Specialists in the work of Maria Pergay, Demish-Danant (NY) showed pieces by Pergay, Enzo Mari, Pierre Paulin and Michel Boyer. By the second day of the fair, Demisch-Danant had sold half of their stand, including a sofa ($18,000) and chair set by Pierre Poulin from 1968, a floor lamp ($18,000) as well as an extraordinary Paulin table with an interior light in white opaque and smoked glass plexiglass, designed for George Pompidou's private apartments, Palais de l'Elysee, Paris.

Geoffrey Diner Gallery (Washington, DC) sold an exceptional piece by George Nakashima (1904-1990), America, Minguren coffee table, c. 1968 in American black walnut and rosewood.

Donzella 20th Century Gallery (NY) sold a major sideboard on tall legs, circa 1946 by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy and a stunning table lamp circa 1963 designed by Lumi, Italy. The fair offers some of the best vintage and contemporary jewelry available on the market today.

Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd. of New York sold exceptionally wellacross the board including very strong sales in 1960's gem-set jewelry especially necklaces and more important categories such as bracelets and earrings. On opening night they sold a gold and diamond necklace, Cartier, Paris, 1950's and an important platinum and diamond brooch, French. On the last day they sold an important Bucellati sapphire and diamond cuff bracelet to a 1st time buyer. It was in the region of $40,000.

Historical Design (NY) sold a much admired Modernist Sterling Silver pitcher designed and hand-wrought by Antonio Pineda, Taxco, Mexico, exhibited at the TRIENALLE DI MILANO, 1960 and an important sculpture by Beverly Pepper (1924 NYC - Todi, Italy) called Wind Totem, 1962, which was bought by a collector for donation to Brandeis University. A private collector bought a superb aluminium wall sculpture by Olivier Seguin from 1971. Historical Design also sold a Peter Shire Memphis school teapot from 1984 and a highly important sapphire and diamond necklace from their spectacular jewelry collection.