We just launched The High Line book!
And where better to do it than overlooking the park itself with some of the biggest names in architecture and art
When it came to launching our great new High Line book there really was only one place to choose - The Standard High Line, the 18-story luxury hotel that straddles the linear park in Manhattan. And that's where you would have found us, along with some of the best known names in the global architecture world last night.
A select gathering of 300 guests gathered in the third floor High Line Room - one of the city's most sought-after private-hire spots - looking out over the park as well as the Hudson River for a night of music, Champagne, wine and great conversation.
The event was co-hosted by our book's co-authors, the architecture practice Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations. Friends of The High Line, the philanthropic organisation that helped found the marvelous park, also invited a number of select guests.
Those who were there included: Robert Hammond, Founder of Friends of the High Line; Adam Weinberg; Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art; architects Liz Diller, Ric Scofidio, Charles Renfro, Ben Gilmartin and Matthew Johnson of Diller Scofidio + Renfro; James Corner and Lisa Switkin of JCFO; Glenn Lowry, Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Dakis Joannou, Adrian Benepe, Michael Moore, Vice President at Sotheby’s; and artist James Welling among others.
Before introducing Liz Diller, James Corner and Robert Hammond, Phaidon's CEO Keith Fox thanked everyone for coming and outlined the intense but successful collaborative nature of the book as artists, art collectors and the heads of arts institutions listened attentively.
"It was a true collaboration between Phaidon and our authors, Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner Field Operations," Keith said. "Liz and James pushed us to create a sophisticated, complex, inspiring, and beautiful book. At 452 pages, with 50 gatefolds, three paper choices, and a lot of ink to capture the essence of the park, it’s a wonderful testament!"
Media guests at The Standard High Line launch included representatives from Architectural Record, Surface, Architectural Digest, Architizer, Artforum and New York Magazine - all of whom were able to buy signed copies on the night.
Keith also explained how 50 per cent of the proceeds of those books would be going to Friends of the High Line. Phaidon.com is extending that offer until Sunday (Nov 22). To order go here.
Meanwhile, if you really love the park, consider giving it a little help. Each year, Friends of the High Line provides 98 percent of the funds needed to operate, maintain, program and run the High Line— and they can only do so with the generous support of people like you. So go here to join Friends of the High Line.
