Vanity Fair and T-mobile celebrated the launch of “Vanity Fair’s” Proust Questionnaire: 101Luminaries Ponder Love, Death, Happiness, and the Meaning of Life. The reception, held at Clic Bookstore & Gallery featured the book’s illustrator and “Vanity Fair” contributing artist, Robert Risko.

Marcel Proust, French essayist and novelist, believed an individual’s answers reveal who they really are as a person. In that spirit, “Vanity Fair” compiled 101 questionnaires from the world’s most prominent figures and personalities and the result is an enlightening, thoughtful and very often hilarious peek into the minds of those who have influenced us over the years.


Illustrations by Robert Risko accompany the questionnaires. The artist’s portraits have shaped the unique look of “Vanity Fair” and have appeared in almost every magazine imaginable. Since his first assignment handed to him by Andy Warhol in 1978 for “Interview” magazine, Risko has gone on to legendary status, creating playfully exaggerated portraits of such figures from Eric Claption, Salman Rushdie, Bette Midler and Martin Scorsese to Walter Cronkite, Willie Nelson, Little Richard and Ray Charles. His style, just as his subjects are instantly recognizable, both so cleary unique and intriguing.


“Vanity Fair’s” party at Clic’s beautiful gallery was friendly, relaxed and light-hearted to say the very least. In the spirit of the book launch, guests were able to answer their own Proust questionnaire at vfproust.com and post responses to the site via web cam. Also, while enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres from Williamson Calvert they could have their photo taken at the digital photo booth provided by MVS Studio, Inc complete with “Proust” frame that were printed on the spot for souvenirs. To top it off T-mobile provided a phone for raffle and the chance to have your portrait done by Risko himself.


When the guests started to call it a night, others decided to have Risko put a more personal greeting in their complementary copy of the book. Obligingly, he took it one step further and instead of merely writing “best wishes,” or some other obligatory line he started to draw. A lucky few did not just get passive salutations from the respected artist but instead their very own portrait. With a slight grin on his face Risko went to work, quickly sizing up and edging out his subjects on the opening page of the book. While they might not have taken him the time it did to draw Mick Jigger, or Ted Kennedy, it was amazing to see someone so talented take the time to have a little fun with those have grown to respect his work over the years.


Guests included David Friend, Wayne Lawson, Christiane Celle, Antoine Verglas, Lisa Anastos, Martin Dawson, Matt Albiani, and Marcia Mishaan. To find out more about “Vanity Fair’s” Proust Questionnaire: 101 Luminaries Ponder Love, Death, Happiness, and the Meaning of Life, go to vanityfair.com.

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