Some in the art world may have mocked Dasha Zhukova’s credentials as an aspiring aficionado and sniggered when she embarrassingly revealed that she couldn’t name a single artist. But the 27-year-old girlfriend of Roman Abramovich appears to have had the last laugh.
For yesterday Ms Zhukova announced that she is to host the Serpentine Galley’s annual summer party, and revealed plans to forge a long-lasting link between the London gallery and her own art house in Moscow.
The party is one of the art world’s most high-profile social events and is regarded by many as the hottest ticket of the season. As the sponsor, Ms Zhukova is in good company. Previous backers include Yves Saint Laurent and Swarovski.
And the company at the bash on Tuesday isn’t likely to be too shabby either. Previous years’ guest lists have included the Hollywood actors Jude Law, Kevin Spacey, Nicolas Cage and Pierce Brosnan, while the art contingent consisted of Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and the Chapman brothers. The plan is that, rather than merely sponsor the party, the financial input will extend to a long-term cooperation between the Serpentine and her own gallery, The Garage Centre for Contemporary Culture, which opens in Moscow a week later.
(The Independent)