Cecilia Dean and David Colman’s “MOVE!” exhibition preview party at Brookfield Place, New York

The annual crush of cultural events seizes New York each fall, starting with Fashion Week and leading to festivals such as FIAF’s Crossing the Line, with seemingly endless extravagant highlights and galas in between. Asserting the difference between and embracing the collision of art and fashion, MOVE, a three-day carnival of immersive performances and interactive unique events curated by Visionaire‘s Cecilia Dean and artist David Colman.

Overtaking the Financial District’s Brookfield Place, seven experimental events spilled out over the cavernous, light-filled space simultaneously. A makeshift studio was set up for a photo shoot directed by artist Ryan McNamara, wardrobe options ready with racks of designs by Diane Von Furstenberg. A full glam squad primped guests before McNamara instructed them to pose from behind the camera, and participants could order a wrap dress printed with their own image when the shoot was over. Nearby, Rob Pruitt presented a green-screen runway, inviting passersby to strut in a Proenza Schouler fashion show. Cynthia Rowley and Olaf Breuning channeled the spirit of Jackson Pollock by inviting players to throw balls at a wall of paint cups which, when spilled, created a splatter painting. Amanda Lepore cheekily rode an escalator up only to walk down a red carpet, flanked by male models. “I heard Brookfield wants to keep this red carpet installation permanently installed,” said one guy. That “guy” was actually a girl who had just transformed into a man in James Kaliardos and Elana Langer‘s makeover corner. By the time transformations were complete, everyone was camera ready.

Text and photo Job Piston