New York City's first blizzard of 2015 blanketed the streets with several inches of snow.
And we couldn't have asked for a better stage for the Fathom + Jungles of Paris cocktail party, a gallery showcase embracing the ice caps of Ecuador, the windscapes of Antarctica, and the glacier water of Iceland.
Film, sound, and artwork pertaining to the icy theme were exhibited at the white box gallery RYAN LEE in Chelsea. Photographic work from Seoul-based artist Sangbin IM's recent trip to Antarctica hung next to abstract ice images by Greg Broom. TheLast Ice Merchant, a beautiful documentary by Sandy Patch about the last ice miner in Ecuador, played in an adjacent screening room. A soundscape of wind and ice, recorded by Phantom Limb, played on loop between showings.
Many, many thanks to Reyka, the small-batch Icelandic vodka we used to spike snow cones (from handshaved ice). And to Icelandic Glacial, Bluepoint Brewing Company, and our pals at WineAwesomeness for quenching our thirst with sustainable water, microbrews, and crisp California whites. Laiki crackers were just the crunchy snack we needed to soak up all that booze.
Small-batch Reyka Vodka, handcrafted in Iceland using lava rock filtration, glacier spring water, and geothermal energy. And for the sober socialite, Icelandic Glacial Water, a fully sustainable product bottled at the source of the Ölfus Spring.
Icebergs on the wall. A work titled Antarctica by Sangbin IM.
The Party Venue
Gallery co-owner Jeff Lee and guests chatted alongside installations at RYAN LEE.
The Shaved Ice Bar
Our friends at People's Pops mixed a mean drink: shaved ice, syrup made from sustainably-grown fruits, and Reyka vodka.
The Soundscape
Untitled by Jungles in Paris, a looped video of the Antarctican landscape.
The Brew
Cold beer was provided by Blue Point Brewing Company, Long Island's oldest operating microbrewery, located in a former Penguin Ice Factory in Patchogue, New York.
The Short Film
The Last Ice Merchant (El Último Hielero), a story about a mountain-climbing merchant that harvests glacial ice in Ecuador directed by Sandy Patch, played for intimate audiences throughout the night. Between screenings, we heard a digital soundscape (ice and wind) recorded by Phantom Limb Company as part of the preparation for performance piece "69°S".
The Back and Forth
Nightingale Nine chef Rob Newton and Food Republic editor Matt Rodbard among icebergs.
The Facial Hair
Filmmaker Sandy Patch, sporting a winter-appropriate beard.
The People's Choice
Popular demand kept the snow cone cocktails coming.
The Crowd
All smiles for sour cherry and vodka on ice.
The Crowd
Collaborators in conversation.
Co-Conspirators
Jungles in Paris brothers, Darrell and Oliver, with Fathom founders, Pavia and Jeralyn.
Team Fathom
The gang's all here: Astrid, Jeralyn, Becky, Berit, Pavia, Daniel.
Party Munchies
Guests snacked on crunchy Laiki Crackers in all their sustainable, wholegrain, non-GMO goodness.
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