Bambino's SEE and Be SEEN, Volume 1

Note from Edward_: Bambino's going to be a guest gossip columnist after each Winkleman Gallery opening, giving me a chance to unwind a little and giving him a chance to dish a little. Here's his first post-opening round-up. As background, for those who don't know, Bambino hails from the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan. Show him some love:
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Here are some images from the last night's opening. I was involved with Leeza Ahmady and Edward Winkleman in selecting the 7 videos from Central Asian countries (part of the huge Asian Contemporary Art Week in NYC). It was a pleasure and honor to work closely with people who are really interested and supportive of contemporary video work from Central Asia. Leeza is a pro in Central Asian Contemporary Art.

My best dressed award would definitely should go to Leeza. She looked amazing, and all the colors she was wearing were beautiful. But did you know she has a twin sister? We met her sister Leeda for the first time at Sotheby’s last week, during the reception for Asian Week (we thought she was Leeza). That's Leeza on the right.

And check out the guy in back of the picture, whose jacket came out as a monster or something from Star Wars.

Here is another picture of Leeza with two of my favorite people in the Chelsea art world, the Newman Popiashvili Gallery owners, Irena and Marisa (I call them the "NP Girls"). Very talented, supportive, smart and very easy to talk to people. It’s rare to be able to talk with someone and tell them what is on your mind, and have them listen in this business. But they are two such people, and I'm so happy to be close to them. And do we exchange some juicy information when we are alone. (Want to know what? Hint: Learn Russian). Their next opening is next week on 29th; I met their artist briefly the other night; his show looks interesting. NP Gallery always has something new and different from the other galleries, including one amazing and controversial performance in the front of their gallery on the street. Make sure you won't miss any of their other performances in the future.

One of the first people I met during our first bloggers party, and like a lot, is Brent Burket, the writer and creator of Heart as Arena blog. He's always so nice to everyone, always polite and professional. I check his blog regularly, and would highly suggest it to other people. That's him above (and look behind him, there's a little fragment of a video projected on wall).

And there was DRAMA last night, which I can’t really tell you in public here, but thankfully with the help of our Associate Director Max (that's him below, and here's his website [he's also a wonderful artist]) and our new intern Andrea, the rest of the opening went well.

OK, so to finish my first SEE and Be SEEN, let me share my personal DON’Ts During an Opening. Please free to add something else or disagree with me or share your experiences:

1. Don’t drink your butt off, it’s not a free bar to get drunk only.
2. Don’t waste glass after glass for another drink, just ask for a refill. I am so Green, and I think everyone should do something simple to save the planet. Sorry if this seems like a stupid thing, but everyone should do something.
3. Don’t stop and keep somebody for a long conversation.
4. Keep your negative opinions until after the opening, don’t tell them during the opening. Just try to be supportive, as much you want other people supportive for whatever you do.
5. Don’t just drop your glass wherever it is convenient for you. Ask for the trash bag if you don’t see it.
6. Do leave your umbrellas in umbrellas basket on rainy days, and don't take somebody else’s on the way out.

Thanks for reading. Here's one last picture with Leeza, Ed, Leeda and me.