By Doug MacCash, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on November 01, 2012 at 1:34 PM, updated November 01, 2012 at 3:45 PM
The Odyssey Ball, the New Orleans Museum of Art’s traditional fall fundraising extravaganza, takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Nov. 10. The 47th annual party will offer art lovers a first look at “Lifelike,” which is an exhibition of playfully deceptive artworks, including a gigantic card table and folding chairs, an exacting reproduction of a 1970s kitchen, a Lilliputian office elevator, an eerily realistic rendering of a child staring at himself in a mirror, an example of Andy Warhol’s imitation Brillo Pad boxes and several other mind-bending marvels.
Judging by an exhibit preview and catalog photographs, “Lifelike,” which originated at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, seems to be one of those exhibitions that just about everyone will enjoy. The show opens to the general public on Nov. 11 and continues through Jan. 27
The art exhibition isn’t the only Odyssey Ball attraction. New Orleans’ pop cellist Helen Gillet will perform during the night and the vocal group BRW will provide three-part harmonies a la the O’Jays. Attendees will dine on delicacies by the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group and be tempted by a live auction with items that include a Caribbean vacation, Pacific pearls and artwork by the likes of Thornton Dial.
There are several ticket options.
Single tickets are available to all NOMA members for $150, which allows admission to the ball from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. For non-members, the entry level ticket is $200.
For $500, art lovers receive 2 tickets to the ball and patron party that precedes the ball from 7:30 to 9.
There are other higher-end ticket packages available up to $10,000.
Curator Miranda Lash gives us a preview look at artist Robert Therrien’s gigantic folding table and chairs. The authentic oversized furniture is part of a must-see exhibit of weird realism titled ‘Lifelike’ that runs Nov. 11, 2012 to Jan 27, 2013.
The oddest admission option is apparently designed to lure younger potential ball-goers. People under 40 can buy “Are You Experienced” ball tickets at a special discount price of $95, while they last.
The New Orleans Museum of Art is located at 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park. Visit noma.org or call 504.658.4100.