Miniature camera in hand, I was more than ready to enjoy champagne and a silent auction with a fashionable group of some 450 high-powered guests at Capitale (the former magnificent bank designed by Stanford White) who happily paid $1000 ("hipsters"), $1500 ("very cool") or $2500 (benefactors) to support BOMB magazine's,(a highly-regarded arts journal that focuses on artists and writers interviewing other like-minded artists and writers) 40-year anniversary.

At a time when the same celebs are seen again and again at events, giving an award to superstar Marina Abramovic (who was both charming and approachable especially when she revealed that her favorite stylish woman was Maria Callas) guaranteed a sold-out event (Francine Prose, Betsy Baker and Richard Armstrong were also honored).

Mixing and mingling at the cocktail party and dinner were Ricardo Tischi (designer for Givenchy and a likely candidate to take over Dior) whose elegantly tailored suits are a mainstay of Abramovic's wardrobe, Jim Rosenquist, striking artist Anh Duong, and board member chair Michele Gerber Klein in a frothy feathered dress, Wallace Shawn, Joel Shapiro, Ellsworth Kelly, among others.

Whenever I attend such a high-powered event, I am reminded that living in New York is the only game in town.

Marina Abramovic, photo by Rose Hartman

Michele Gerber Klein, photo by Rose Hartman

Ricardo Tischi and Maria Carla, photo by Rose Hartman