Deployment in Wonderland

In 2007, I curated an immersive evening dedicated to celebrating the vision of artist Kara Maria, designed to engage all the senses and provide a multi-dimensional experience. The event featured the debut of The Kara Maria Fashion Collection by VAGADU, bringing the garments to life through original choreography by dancers from U Dance Electra, choreographed by Monica Mark. The choreography explored themes within Kara’s paintings and was accompanied by original music composed by John Arns.

Adding to the sensory richness, underground supper club chef Efrain Cuevas crafted a tasting menu inspired by elements found in Kara’s artwork, creating a culinary experience that complemented the visual and emotional themes of the evening. Attendees were invited to engage in a one-on-one conversation with the artist, hosted by Lucy Lips, providing insight into Kara’s creative process. Meanwhile, DJs Ammon Haggerty and Doug Sands of Ozumo spun sultry musical interpretations inspired by her work, setting a captivating atmosphere.

The evening also included a raffle featuring an original Kara Maria piece and a one-of-a-kind VAGADU creation, along with an after-party where all clothing from the collection was available for purchase. The event was intentionally limited in capacity, with doors opening at 8 pm, an artist talk at 9:15 pm, the fashion performance at 10 pm, and the after-party continuing until midnight. This experience was designed as an exploration of art, fashion, music, and culinary artistry—a celebration of creative vision in all its forms.