In The Event™ was thrilled to be a part of artist John Bell’s The Next Supper at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday September, 28. The Next Supper is a unique dinner party that involves the guests as the artists. Attendees were invited to the dinner held in UMOCA’s Main Gallery and then encouraged to finish Bell’s partially completed canvasses on the table using raw materials from the dinner and other items placed on the table. Bell has hosted several dinner parties like this, including one in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.
The evening began with a cocktail hour from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, followed by an extravagant dinner. Dinner was created by Chef Ryan Lowder, owner of the Copper Onion, and consisted of New American cuisine including much of Utah’s local produce. The meal was created to provide guests with a unique color palette in completing Bell’s canvases.
Bell screen-printed the canvases with text and images that functioned as both incitement for the guests and a background. Guests used their food and other components on the table, such as wine, candle wax, flowers, name cards, and utensils to complete the canvases; the purpose being to provoke the guest’s reaction to Bell’s art. Bell served as facilitator for the evening.
In The Event™ provided our seven foot shimmer chandeliers, that hung above the dining table, as well as event lighting. The Next Supper was a fantastic collaboration between John Bell, Mary Fresques, and Ryan Lowder, and we loved contributing to the evening!
