I built this for GMHC’s annual morning (mourning) party in 1997. It was my first big prop build and I was psyched to contribute art to such a great cause. It was built in six pieces in my Franklin Street (NYC) studio in order to fit through a narrow stairway and the front door.
Getting a truck to pick it up was challenging as the only parking was in an alley nearby. Once on Fire Island, all six pieces needed to be fit together and installed 15 feet up on a silver pedestal. Luckily I’m ok with heights and loved getting a helicopter ride to the top.
Once they dropped the cake off on top (via helicopter), I was alone up there in the wind tying the pieces together with dyed strips of fabric. You can see where the fabric is as it’s not quite the right shade of pink.
The image is a photo from the party itself. Several hundred beautiful people showed up and we danced together to some amazing beats until it was light out.
I feel so lucky to have been a part of that experience!
