Big Dinner, Big Deer, Big Deal

September 23, 2017

Ramsey Maune, the president of the Board of Directors of Laumeier Sculpture Park welcomes supporters of the park and marked the milestone of its 40^th anniversary year with a unique celebration of a world class contemporary art on a beautiful evening. Dinner is served in the heart of the south lawn. It is a coming out for Tony Tasset’s monumental sculpture, Deer, 2015 which is positioned adjacent to Way Field. (Board members Mary Ann Srenco and Allison Ferring led the effort to acquire the Deer after becoming acquainted with is at Miami’s Art Basel.) On this night, the sculpture seems to enjoy the festivities complete with an agenda for the evening that includes the artist and a remarkable musical performance of Ten Thousand Birds by a troop of 20 musicians who challenged those in attendance to be in this moment in this fantastic setting and contemplate the natural surroundings among the sculptures. (Ten Thousand Birds was written by Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Luther Adams.)

Maune is happy about reflecting on the past but is, more importantly, looking to the future for Laumeier. Interim Director Stephanie Riven is pleased to note how the staffers, volunteers, and organizers of the night have unified in producing this memorable evening. She too is engaged in strategic process of projecting the direction for the future of this incredible institution. Naturally, the event includes calls for financial support and a collection of pledges. It is no secret that now we could entering the most important decade for this public-private partnership of art and nature in our region.

It is a private party in a public space. Those fortunate enough to enjoy this grand event are automatically bestowed with membership. It is a convenient way to assure this quality group of prospects will be invited back next year for continued support. In attendance too is Yvonne Osei, whose exhibition Tailored Landscapes will be on view beginning November 4 in the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center supported by Nancy and Ken Kranzberg. Art needs champions and Laumeier enjoys some of the best. This planned exhibition and The Deer are indication of our going concern. And that is a big deal. Thank You. 

Alone Amongst Them

To better see the sky

The people thronged into the street

I stood amongst them

Gazing at my feet

The light shone down upon them

And basking in its grace

Thousands danced to the singing of a million lips

I stood along amongst them

Gazing at my finger tips

So while led onto while

And I stood among them so

Their faces yearning toward the light

My head still hanging low

And then one day the light went out

The crush of people died

Raising my eyes to the heavens I wept

The ground firmly beneath my feet

For I along amongst them

Could stand upon the street

© 1977 by David P Drimer and published in Ibis Yearbook

Photo: In front of the Ashe Administration Building at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL --- left to right unknown student (background), Wes Morgan and Dave Drimer