Each year, the Brooklyn Artists Ball seems to up the ante, and last night, the stage was certainly set to take it up yet another level: banners fluttering from the rafters, music blaring through the crowd, stilted puppets dancing along to the beat. Inspired by the institution's current Frida Kahlo show, the decorations also hinted back to one of the evening's honorees, Nick Cave, whose colorful, glittering work can be found in Brooklyn Museum's permanent collection. Wrapped in sequins, the institution's director Anne Pasternak gave a heartfelt welcome to the crowd, beckoning Cave to the podium that presided over the 600-person crowd. Looking out at the familial faces, the artist took a moment to thank not only the Brooklyn Museum but Jack Shainman and his romantic partner Bob Faust, who he credited with creating an environment for his vision to thrive. The good feelings emanated through the artist-filled crowd, which included Shirin Neshat, John Edmonds, Swizz Beatz and Chitra Ganesh.
