Legends in Miami: Brooke Shields and Helena Christensen host art week’s most exclusive cocktail

While the wave of Art Basel 2019 week swept through Miami, luminaries from the international art world joined some of the city’s VIPs for an intimate cocktail at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami to celebrate the luxury hotelier’s partnership with the prestigious New York Academy of Art (NYAA), a nonprofit educational and cultural institution founded in 1982 by artists, scholars and high-profile patrons of the arts like Andy Warhol.

The exclusive event highlighted Bliss, an exhibition presented at the hotel’s chic lobby area and curated by the evening’s hosts, supermodel/photographer Helena Christensen and actress/supermodel Brooke Shields. Prior to the festivities, INDULGE — which served as the media sponsor for the event —sat down with the celebrity gal pals to discuss feelings, friendship and what defines a worthy piece of art beyond Basel.

Tell me about how this collaboration between the two of you and the NYAA happened?

Helena: I was introduced to David Kratz, President of the New York Academy of Art, at a luncheon a few years back. Last year, we curated an exhibit at the New York Art Fair together. He later asked me to collaborate on this exhibit at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami with Brooke, who he had worked with a lot in the past. Having the opportunity to work with a friend like Brooke and curate alongside David was such an honor and also so much fun. Those two are hilarious. We simply have such a great time together.

Brooke: We definitely have chemistry..

Helena: It’s interesting for me to have us view art together because I’ve always considered it somewhat of a personal thing to do. But it’s exciting to review so many visuals and discuss ideas during the curation process. We are so good as a team.

What is it that you look for when it comes time to curate? What kinds of pieces stand out to you?

Helena: I also look for composition. I’m a photographer and because of my work behind the lens, I know that I am drawn to certain kinds of details like dark, rich colors and an overall somber composition. But for me, it’s not about seeing but feeling. If the art touches something profound in me and I can’t explain why that is, then that’s the ‘it’ piece for me. That moment of knowing what is right for a show is definitely not something that is planned out. It’s more of an instant reaction.

Brooke: In the past, I used to always look for art that I wanted to live with. I had to want to have it in my home. It’s only been through curating shows that I’ve started to just appreciate the creativity and work that goes into it. I don’t necessarily want every piece on my wall; every piece doesn’t necessarily make me happy. But the value of it and the talent behind it, I understand and really appreciate. I also think that if it can illicit a dialogue — any dialogue — that is the definition of something we would want to showcase.

Would it be correct to say that you both are avid art collectors?

Helena: It sounds so weird to say that I’m an “art collector” but the truth is I have so many pieces. However, most of them don’t come from galleries. I find them in all different kinds of places, like tiny stores, markets… If that’s collecting art, then yes.

Brooke: It wasn’t until I became affiliated with and a board member of the NYAA that I ever curated my first show. At this point, I’ve curated multiple exhibits with the academy and luckily was able to do it with Helena this year. But I don’t know if I would call myself an art collector, though.

Helena: You absolutely are! Your house is filled with the most amazing art. That makes you a collector, no?

Brooke: I would say that I truly love art. Most of that stems from my early years of being introduced to people like Andy Warhol, and getting to know these famous creatives and where they fit in the zeitgeist at the time. But because I didn’t have a background as an art major or skills as a painter, I thought those things prohibited me and my knowledge when it came to art. It has only been through what I have learned by working with the NYAA that I’ve learned to value and trust my instincts as an admirer of artwork. I have a painting that I acquired in London that is not entirely finished, and I love it. I have it up in my house right next to a Keith Haring heart. Like everything else, art can be about balance.

For more information on the New York Academy of Art, please visit www.nyaa.edu.