Few events manage to combine art world gravitas, downtown irreverence, and an impromptu Tai Chi lesson from one of the most celebrated living artists—but the New Museum’s annual gala offered all that and more.

Beneath the soaring ceilings of Casa Cipriani, guests grazed on bowls of zucchini chips and parmesan while icons and innovators mingled: Cindy Sherman, Jamian Juliano-Villani, Ralph DeLuca, Isolde Brielmaier, Nate Freeman, Cecily Brown, and Marilyn Minter among them.

The evening celebrated both the museum’s forward momentum and its foundational figures: a bold new building—designed by Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas—set to open in Fall 2025, and a tribute to the visionary gallerist Paula Cooper.

“She has had a profound influence on so many of us as a model of strength, intelligence, and integrity for more than half a century,” said New Museum director Lisa Phillips in her opening remarks.

Then came Laurie Anderson, who took the stage with her singular blend of poetry, sound, and performance—complete with a modified violin and a jacket that produced music. Her finale? Leading the Cipriani crowd through slow, deliberate Tai Chi movements meant to offer a new way of responding to the chaos of the world: with grace and calm.

A contemporary of Cooper’s from the early SoHo scene, Anderson dedicated the evening to her friend’s ethos: “This evening is for Paula, and for her vision of history and justice, experimentation, beauty, and empathy.”

When Cooper appeared onstage, the room rose to its feet in a standing ovation.

“I’ve been so fortunate. I’ve done what I’ve loved for all of my life, during an incredibly rich period,” she said, beaming.

The evening closed with an auction led by Sotheby’s Phyllis Kao, offering works and experiences—including a commissioned portrait by Francesco Clemente and a new piece by Judy Chicago, a longtime New Museum ally.

Despite the formidable guest list and elegant surroundings, the evening remained intimate—a fitting tribute to an institution that has always dared to break ground, and to a gallerist who redefined what “new” could be.