The Hamptons Art Fair experienced a dramatic evacuation when heavy rains threatened millions of dollars worth of artwork, including masterpieces by Van Gogh. This highly anticipated event of the season was forced to close its doors, leaving behind a sense of worry and disruption. The art fair featured an impressive array of art treasures, estimated to be worth around $400 million, including paintings, jewelry and watches. Among the famous names were masters such as Matisse, Picasso and of course, the legendary Van Gogh. However, this celebration of art was brought to an abrupt halt when torrential rains flooded the three pavilions built for the event. Faced with the urgency of the situation, the fire chief and the police department quickly made the decision to order the immediate evacuation and to turn off the lights and electricity. The organizing team, under the direction of Rick Friedman, acted quickly to evacuate visitors safely and leave the precious works of art hanging on the walls.
In a situation where every moment counted, it's worth noting that removing the artwork was not a viable option. According to Friedman, the curators felt that the works would be safer inside buildings, even if they faced the imminent threat of inclement weather. It would have been too risky to expose them to the fury of the natural elements. Under these extraordinary circumstances, a surreal scene unfolded when, like the orchestra of Titanic, an opera singer began to perform tunes in the VIP area. As the water level rose dangerously, this "Pavarotti of precipitation" was asked to stop her impromptu performance. Apparently, this water diva was not hired to sing, but took the initiative to make her voice sound in this unusual situation.
To prevent any attempted theft, armed guards and police were deployed to monitor the buildings after they were closed. Anyone who dared to enter the premises would have been arrested for trespassing. The safety of these priceless works of art was a top priority, even in these exceptional circumstances. The uncertainty as to the possible damage caused to the works persists. Friedman said they are still assessing the situation, but so far no reports of major damage have been reported. The ceilings and walls appeared to be intact, giving hope that the paintings hanging on the walls were spared. However, as a precaution, all artists and exhibitors have been asked to remove their paintings from the floor, thus avoiding any additional risk.
Among the fair's most prestigious stands was that of MS RAU, which proudly exhibited a painting by Renoir. Despite the fair closing prematurely, it was reported that they managed to pull off an impressive sale of a Picasso worth $5.5 million through a telephone transaction. This unexpected success may have brought some relief to the organizers after this ordeal. The Hamptons Art Fair also featured other artistic gems, such as works by famed David Hockney, Robert Motherwell and Norman Lewis. A special exhibition titled "Picasso at the Hamptons" featured 30 of his creations, including a drawing worth a million dollars. Additionally, a tribute to Norman Rockwell was on display with 18 original artwork he did for the Saturday Evening Post, including the Chicago Cubs' iconic "Dugout" artwork, estimated at $8 million.
The day after the evacuation, the staff got down to removing the works of art, although the restoration of electricity was not yet possible. This step was essential to preserve the integrity of the works and guarantee their security. As the Hamptons Art Fair recovers from this tragic flood, the focus is now on assessing the potential damage and what steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. This unexpected ordeal is a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our precious artistic heritage, which embodies our history and our culture.
Jean Dubreil