June 21–July 27, 2014
Opening: Saturday, June 28, 4–6pm
The Museum at Guild Hall
158 Main St
East Hampton, New York
The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) will present a comprehensive exhibition of its collections to be on public view for the first time presented by the Museum at Guild Hall in association with Christie’s from June 21 through July 27. Curated by Robert Storr, Chairman of FAPE’s Professional Fine Arts Committee and Dean of the Yale School of Art, this historic exhibition will include works by some of the United States’ most acclaimed artists from FAPE’s Original Print, Photography and Site-Specific collections.
By partnering with American artists, FAPE donates permanent works of art to U.S. embassies around the world to fulfill its mission of cultural diplomacy. As of 2014, FAPE’s contributions included works by more than 200 preeminent American artists placed in more than 140 countries.
The Lee Kimche McGrath Original Print Collection began in 1989 when Frank Stella donated The Symphony in an edition large enough for a print to be sent to every U.S. embassy. The Original Print collection is now FAPE’s longest-running program.
Since 1995, a distinguished American artist has donated a new print, and Gemini G.E.L. has contributed its printing services for nine artist prints. Artists in the Original Print collection include:
John Baldessari, Louisiana Bendolph, Mary Lee Bendolph, Loretta Bennett, Vija Celmins, Chuck Close, Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Mangold, Brice Marden, Julie Mehretu, Elizabeth Murray, Loretta Pettway, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Susan Rothenberg, Ed Ruscha, Joel Shapiro, Frank Stella and Terry Winters.
FAPE’s newest initiative is a collection of photography. Each year, a new work is donated by an American photographer to be placed in U.S. embassies throughout the world. In 2013, the collection was inaugurated by Tina Barney and William Wegman. This year, Carrie Mae Weems, Sidney Felsen (co-founder of Gemini G.E.L.), and Richard Benson contributed.
For FAPE’s Site-Specific Collection, once an artist has been selected and has agreed to create a work, FAPE works with the embassy architects, the State Department and the artist to ensure that the art is sensitively integrated within the site. The works are all donated by the artists and FAPE provides the funds to pay for their fabrication and installation. The exhibition at the Museum at Guild Hall will present drawings, photographs and maquettes for the large-scale, site-specific works. Artists in the collection include:
Lynda Benglis (Mumbai), Louise Bourgeois (Beijing), Ron Gorchov (New York), Ellsworth Kelly (Beijing and Berlin), Sol LeWitt (Berlin; Tunis, Tunisia and New York), Maya Lin (Istanbul), Elie Nadelman (London), Odili Donald Odita (New York), Martin Puryear (Beijing), Dorothea Rockburne (Kingston, Jamaica), Joel Shapiro (Ottawa, Canada, and Guangzhou), Michael Singer (Athens), and Elyn Zimmerman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania).
For all of FAPE’s Collections, the organization is assisted by an advisory committee of prominent arts professionals chaired by Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale School of Art.
Related public panel discussions
During the course of the exhibition at the Museum at Guild Hall, FAPE will host events including a series of panel discussions with artists, scholars, members of the diplomatic community and FAPE supporters.
Saturday, June 28, 3–4pm
“FAPE and the Role of the Artist,” moderated by Robert Storr in conversation with Tina Barney, Lynda Benglis, Chuck Close, Joel Shapiro and Carrie Mae Weems
Sunday, July 20, 11am
Darren Walker, FAPE Vice President and President of the Ford Foundation, in conversation with David Rubenstein, philanthropist and Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Carlyle Group
Sunday, July 27, 11am
“Andy Warhol: Global Phenomenon,” moderated by Bob Colacello, author and FAPE Board member, in conversation with Peter Brant, Jane Holzer, Alberto Mugrabi and Aby Rosen
Exhibition sponsor: Christie’s
FAPE sponsor: Bank of America
Media contacts:
For more information on FAPE, images, or to arrange interviews, members of the media please contact:
Rachel Patall-David or Pamela Hernandez
Blue Medium Inc.
T +1 212 675 1800 / rachel [at] bluemedium.com / pamela [at] bluemedium.com