Dignitas International event on February 4, 2010. Hosted by Lawrence Luhring, Roland Augustine, and Andrea Rosen.

While Chelsea is certainly no stranger to the presence of art world luminaries, last night the biggest and brightest turned out in support of Dignitas International, a Toronto based organization that focuses on HIV/Aids founded by Dr. James Orbinski and James Fraser both previously of Doctors Without Borders. Hosted by Luhring Augustine and Andrea Rosen Gallery the evening felt the support of the full panorama of the art world with artists, Christopher Wool and Francesco Clemente, to curator, Richard Flood, to recently appointed Guggenheim director Richard Armstrong, and a host of collectors all in attendance.

Chloe Sevigny

During dinner, which was set amongst a landscape of new works by the artist William Daniels, Dr. Orbinski spoke on behalf of his organization expressing Dignitas’s unfailing belief in the right of human dignity for each and every individual, and eloquently articulating the mission of Dignitas which focuses on increasing access to effective HIV/Aid related prevention, treatment, care and support in resource limited settings through developing and sharing community-based solution. While Dr. Orbinski relayed heartrending stories about the devastation of HIV/Aids in rural, African communities the night was really about the palpable successes of Dignitas that have given rise to future hope.

David Jonsson, Ragnar Kjartansson, and Lawrence Luhring

And of course, as an evening in Chelsea surely wouldn’t be complete without at least one typical art world moment, the night finished with a rousing, folk music performance by Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson accompanied by David Thor Jonsson, a perfect punctuation to an evening all about the powers and potency of a generous spirit. Hannah Hoffman

SI Newhouse and Andrea-Rosen

Dr. James-Orbinsky and Marguerite Hoffman

Photography Sandra Hamburg

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Visionaire touched down in L.A. last Tuesday to celebrate the launch of issue 57 2010, the digital calendar that's a who's-who of contemporary art. Guests like Shamim Momin, Nicola Formichetti, Italo Zucchelli, Dasha Zhukova, and Neville Wakefield gathered at Mark Mahoney's legendary Shamrock Social Club, the tattoo parlor whose clients include everyday people like Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Co-hosted with Momin's new Los Angeles art initiative, LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division), the party went late but stayed casual, even though the space certainly had some attendees itchin' to get inked.

Photography Linlee Allen

Olympia Scarry

Nicola Formichetti

Kimberly Brooks

Dominic Sidhu and Ezra Woods

Joe Zee

Thomas Whiteside and Melissa Coker

Jose Parla and Colin Donahue

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When V contributor Matthu Placek hosted his 30th birthday at The Box last December, he assembled a who's who of downtown New York performance art to herald the big 3-0. Headlining the night was none other than the mother of current V cover girl Gabourey Sidibe, Alice Tan Ridley, who belted out soul and brought the house down! Perhaps you've caught her singing on your way to work through the subways of New York City? If not, keep your ears open when trekking through Grand Central Station. Hosted by comic genius Amber Martin, who introduced, in full vocal range, such artists as vocalist Scott Matthew, opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo, and Fischerspooner's Casey Spooner, who performed two never-before-heard songs from his forthcoming solo album. Last but not least, I performed my first jazz number on stage. James Kaliardos

Enjoy this 10 minute montage from the over two-hour performance!

Click here for a slideshow

Film Footage by Russ Turk
Edited by Alessandro Magania
Audio Post by Max Tannone

With Special Thanks to Subvoyant for making this montage come together!

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No fashion today. First stop, a morning snack at a typical Brazilian “diner” called La Bella Paulista. They have an assortment of typical meat and cheese-filled pastries, fresh juices (I had pineapple and ginger), and strong coffee.

Down the street, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo’s (MASP) graffiti show was highly recommended – couldn’t miss it. The show features Carlos Dias, Daniel Melim, Ramon Martins, Stephan Doitschinoff, Titi Freak and Zezão. It’s a little weird to see graffiti in within the confines of an instution, especially in a city like Sao Paulo where graffiti is everywhere. The city is a constantly changing work of art.

In a little neighborhood called Vila Madalena in the western part of Sao Paulo, the streets are devoted to this artform. We explored the winding streets with Eli Subdrack (Assume Vivid Astro Focus) – look out for their retrospective book published byRizzoli.

Continuing our journey away from the center of the city, we come to the desolate neighborhood that now is home to Fortes Vilaca’s new gallery space and warehouse. A metal Ernesto Neto piece takes centerstage, but there is art by a myriad of their artists in all sorts of places, among the crates of millions of dollars worth of work.

A bit further outside of the city, in a working class district called Vila Medeiros is a foody’s dream destination: Motoco, a modest restaurant catering to the locals. Here, traditional ingredients are transformed into savory new creations headed by handsome chef Rodriguo Oliveira. Mocoto also boasts one of the most impressive cachaca (liquor made from fermented sugarcane) collections. And while hanging out eating delicious food and drinking manioc beer, you will meet a cast of characters.

We met Mexico's celebrated conceptual artist Felipe Ehrenberg (he told me that his great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and one of his daughters are all named Cecilia). Check out his upcoming show at MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art in LA in March) and at Pinacoteca in Sao Paulo in September (during the Sao Paulo Biennial). We met Fyodor Pavlov who will have interesting exhibitions at Volta in March in NY and at the Sao Paulo Biennial.

Mocoto is worth the trek by anyone who loves adventure and food, but I was instructed to remove all jewelry and I carried my Givenchy purse in a plastic bag!!

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The day started with dark drama at Alexandre Herchkovitch's menswear show: a parade of the dead walking to The Cure. The makeup by Celso Kamura was impressive!!

In sharp contrast to the macabre of Herchkovitch, Neon showed a colorful joyful tropical collection that celebrated the jungle - check the "elephant tusks" jutting from the "elephant" jacket!

Spot the colorful birds on the clothes and shoes of Lino Villaventura, making these pieces little works of art.

Neon hosted an after-party at The Lion Club, a new club in the outskirts of downtown Sao Paulo, set to open in one month.

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Cherry Bomb! Finally saw the screening of the most buzzed about film of the festival, The Runaways, starring Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie and Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and directed by acclaimed video artist Floria Sigismondi. The film about the groundbreaking girl band is based on Cherie's novel "Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story" so while the film traces the rise and fall of The Runaways, it mainly concentrates on the relationship between the two leading ladies. This film turns all the cliches of the rock n roll biopic on its head- the musical numbers, the hot costumes, the drugs, the guys (and the girls)- and is elevated by the electric performances of Fanning and Stewart and the cinematography which captures that moment in the 70s when rock history was changed forever. And who could resist V cover girl Dakota Fanning lip syncing to Bowie circa Aladdin Sane in her school talent show! This one is sure to get all the Twi-hards to the theaters when Apparition Films releases it on March 19th. 

High School is a stoner comedy that had the audience rolling in their seats—a rare feat at the very dramatic Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Matt Bush (best known for a small part in Adventureland) as a hopeful valedictorian of his senior class, who decides to smoke weed for the first time on the eve of a surprise mandatory drug test issued for the entire student body by their vengeful principal (Michael Chiklis). As in typical stoner comedies, high jinks ensue and the solution is to think like a stoner and get the entire class high. Very high. The film also features a hilarious cameo by Adrien Brody as vengeful drug dealer and Colin Hanks as the assistant principal.

How did former VMAN cover boy and my favorite actor of this generation, Joe Gordon Levitt, agree to play such a reprehensible character in the mess of a film called Hesher? Buried in facial hair, tattoos, and '90s grunge hair, JGL's character, which the movie is named for, was neither sympathetic or really redeeming and just liked to set things on fire—a lot. Natalie Portman co-stars in a thankless role to say the least. The story follows Hesher's insertion into the life of a grieving family, focusing mostly on his connection to the 13-year-old son. So far my biggest disapointment of the fest.

The life of the New York eccentric, those artists that have lived forever in ramshackle rent controlled apartments, is what is celebrated in Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (directors of former Sundance hit American Splendor)'s The Extra Man. The film is based on a novel by Jonathan Ames, who is currently enjoying the success of the HBO comedy Bored to Death. Paul Dano stars as a writer who heads to Manhattan with F Scott Fitzgerland dreams dancing in his head, only to find himself in an unlikely friendship with a brilliant playwright (Kevin Kline) who happens to be an "extra man"—a social escort for the wealthy widows of high society. This original story is filled with quirks and fun plot points and fantastic performances by the two leads and nice turns from supporting players Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly. Out of all the hopeful indies looking for a studio that I've seen so far, this film seems tailor made for the Sunshine Cinema audience so expect a quick pick up at the fest. Greg Krelenstein

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Smash His Camera tells the story of Ron Galella, the iconic paparazzo that built a career on his tumultous relationship with celebrities, most famously, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who sued him, and Marlon Brando, who broke his jaw. Sharing many of the same themes as yesterday's Teenage Paparazzo, the film even references the same scene in La Dolce Vita which created the modern definition of what we understand the paparazzi to be. However, Galella's story sets itself apart from yesterday's film and makes a far more lasting impression, as the photos he took over a long career are just as iconic as the man himself.

Howl is more than just an Alan Ginsberg biopic. It brilliantly juxtaposes the 1957 obscenity trial when an American masterpiece was put on trial with the readings of the book itself by Ginsberg, expertly played by former VMAN cover boy James Franco. The film is directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffery Friedman whose documentary background is put to good use. In addition, Ginsberg's readings are illustrated in animated sequences, giving the film a hint of surrealism that complement the poetry itself. Franco is joined by a great supporting cast including Mad Men's John Hamm, Mary Louise Parker, and Jeff Daniels. And just a footnote for all those Gossip Girl fans, Ginsberg's longtime love is played by Aaron Tveit, better known as Serena's boyfriend Trip van Der Bilt!

Welcome to the Rileys is a touching family drama that plays really well at Sundance. Perhaps most notable at the fest because it stars Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame, the film is rounded out by great performances by James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo. Rileys is about the failing marriage of Lois (Leo) and Doug (Gandolfini) as a result of their paralyzing grief over the death of their teenage daughter. Stewart plays the hooker with a tainted heart of gold that unexpectedly reconnects their family. This film is the debut from music video director Jake Scott, who has made videos for R.E.M, U2, Lily Allen, Radiohead, the Strokes, and George Michael.

The Killer Inside Me is based on the novel by legendary pulp writer Jim Thompson and is essentially a showcase for Casey Affleck, who plays a deceivingly charming small town deputy sherriff. Prolific director Michael Winterbottom fashions the story with all the dark conventions of noir. However, for me, I really enjoyed the nice supporting work from Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson who took some time out of their rom-com schedules to join us in the indie world. Though watching a murdering abusive misogynist cop for two hours isn't really my idea way to cap off a night, the film constantly surprised and kept me entertained even when I wanted to look away.

I was supposed to cap off the night at the Enter the Void party at the Sky Lodge, but I had a date with Dakota Fanning the next day at 8:30 a.m. and I didn't want to be tired for my most anticipated movie at Sundance, The Runaways!! Greg Krelenstein

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