World Monuments Fund to Honor The Krehbiel Family, Maryvonne Pinault, and Tata Sons at 34th Annual Hadrian Gala
New York, NY, September 29, 2023—World Monuments Fund (WMF)––the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places––will honor The Krehbiel Family, Maryvonne Pinault, and Tata Sons at the 34th annual Hadrian Gala. The event will take place in the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
WMF is thrilled to honor The Krehbiel Family for their dedication to the meticulous restoration of Ballyfin Demesne in Ireland, as well as their involvement with many cultural institutions; Maryvonne Pinault for her family's efforts to restore the Chancellerie d'Orléans and the Saint Sulpice Church, as well as her support for the Louvre, Palace of Versailles, the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, and WMF; and Tata Sons for its generous support of cultural heritage projects in India, especially its partnership with WMF India to restore several historic water systems in the country.
Comments WMF President and CEO, Bénédicte de Montlaur: “One of our core beliefs at World Monuments Fund is that cultural heritage preservation can play an important role in building a more inclusive global society. Each of our honorees play an important role in safeguarding places that reflect the diversity of humanity’s creative voices, and we could not be more excited to celebrate their achievements."
Leading up to the 34th Hadrian Gala, WMF will host the World Monuments Summit on October 24. Speakers at the opening talk, which will explore ongoing work to rehabilitate historic water management systems in India, include 2023 Hadrian Gala honoree Natarajan Chandrasekaran (Chairman of the Board, Tata Sons), Upmanu Lall (Director, Columbia Water Center), Amita Baig (Executive Director, WMF India), and science and environmental journalist Andrew Revkin, with introductory remarks by Brinda Somaya (Founder and Principal Architect, SNK). The day’s second panel discussion, on reviving historic interiors, will feature 2023 Hadrian Gala honorees Jay Krehbiel (Executive Chairman, Hindman) and philanthropist Maryvonne Pinault as well as Charlotte Vignon (Former Director, Musée national de céramique at Sèvres), moderated by Bénédicte de Montlaur (President and CEO, WMF). In the event’s final conversation, Alisa LaGamma (Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer Curator in Charge of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Sosena Solomon (Award-winning social documentary film and multimedia visual artist), Stephen Battle (Principal Project Director, WMF), and Kulapat Yantrasast (Founder and Creative Director, WHY Architecture) will take the audience behind the scenes of an innovative project to document African heritage sites, moderated by Jonathan S. Bell (Vice President of Programs, WMF).
Since 1965, WMF has raised $300 million to support more than 700 diverse cultural heritage sites across 112 countries. Central to these efforts is the World Monuments Watch, established by WMF in 1996 to support 25 heritage sites of extraordinary significance around the globe that face pressing challenges every two years. To date, WMF has contributed more than $110 million toward projects at more than 300 Watch sites. Since the program’s inception, the Watch has been a proven tool for raising awareness about heritage places in need of protection and galvanizing action and support for their preservation.
The 2023 Hadrian Gala is made possible by the generosity of Kering, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), and Tata Sons. Additional support provided by Christie's.
What:
World Monuments Fund’s 34th annual Hadrian Gala
When:
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Where:
Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor, New York, NY 10112
Honorees:
The Krehbiel Family, accepted by Jay Krehbiel and Liam Krehbiel; Tata Sons, accepted by Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Board of Tata Sons; and Maryvonne Pinnault
Hosts:
Co-Chairs: Lorna B. Goodman and Donna Perret Rosen
Honorary Co-Chairs: Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, Juan Pablo Molyneux, Priya Paul, The Pinault Family, and HH Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur
Confirmed Attendees:
H.E. Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa; Brook Berlind; Suzanne Deal Booth; Dodie Kazanjian and Calvin Tomkins; Beth Rudin DeWoody and Firooz Zahedi; Susan and François de Menil; Mark Fletcher and Tobias Meyer; Marcia Fuller French; Marina Kellen French; Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels; Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel, Jr.; Deborah Lehr; Christian Louboutin; Monika McLennan; Hélène Marie and Jake Shafran; Anthony V. Thompson; Elbrun and Peter Kimmelman; Melissa Stewart; Pauline Eveillard; Joan Hardy Clark; Gayle and Tom Benson; Noreen and Kenneth Buckfire; Thomas Vecchione; Sydney Houghton Weinberg; Juan Carlos Verme Giannoni
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About the Honorees
Jay Krehbiel (Trustee of the Irish Georgian Society Board and President of the American Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland) and Liam Krehbiel (Co-managing Partner of Ballyfin and Trustee of The Civic Federation) will accept the Hadrian Award on behalf of their late father, Frederick Krehbiel, for his lifetime of work in the service of preserving Irish architecture. Perhaps his greatest contribution in this regard is the meticulous restoration of Ballyfin Demesne, a nineteenth-century neoclassical manor that now operates as a luxury hotel. The late Mr. Frederick Krehbiel served on the boards of a number of leading Irish cultural institutions, including the National Gallery of Ireland and the Trinity Foundation.
Maryvonne Pinault was selected for the award in honor of her tireless work advocating for French heritage in all its forms. A Board Member of WMF France, she played a key role in the organization’s restoration of the Chancellerie d’Orléans and is currently involved in the relaunching of WMF's French affiliate. Ms. Pinault is a major supporter of many cultural organizations in France, including the Musée du Louvre, the Château de Versailles, and the Association des Amateurs de Jardins. She and her family are currently supporting the restoration of the Saint Sulpice Church, a former WMF project, and were leaders in the effort to support the reconstruction of Notre-Dame in the wake of the devastating fire in 2019, which led to the site’s selection for the 2020 World Monuments Watch.
Tata Sons will receive the Hadrian Award for the organization’s support of heritage projects across India. For over one hundred years, the Tata Family have been involved in preserving and disseminating India's material culture, from excavations at the ancient capital of Pataliputra to the restoration of Emperor Humayun's tomb in Delhi. Most recently, Tata Consultancy Services has provided leadership support for WMF’s historic water systems of India project, which seeks to restore and rehabilitate traditional water infrastructure to build drought resilience as climate change stresses the region’s water security. The Award will be accepted by Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Board of Tata Sons.
About the Hadrian Gala
Each year, World Monuments Fund’s Hadrian Gala honors champions of conservation for their passionate commitment and extraordinary contributions to preserving and protecting the world’s shared cultural heritage. Since 1988, World Monuments Fund has presented the Hadrian Award to recognize leadership that advances the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of the world’s art and architecture.
Previous Hadrian Award honorees include: Elizabeth Alexander, Suzanne Deal Booth, and Christian Louboutin (2022); Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, and HRH Princess Dana Firas (2019); Prince Amyn Aga Khan, of the Aga Khan Development Network, and Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler (2018); Deborah Lehr (2017); the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) (2016); Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain (2015); Mica Ertegün (2014); Roberto Hernández Ramírez (2013); Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express (2012); Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder (2011); Ratan Tata and the Tata Family (2010); David Rockefeller Jr. (2009); Houghton, Doreen and Graeme Freeman (2008); Rahmi Koç and the Koç Family (2007); His Highness The Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur (2006); The Right Honourable John Julius, The Viscount Norwich (2005); Carlos Slim Helú (2004); Eugene V. Thaw (2003); Hélène and Michel David-Weill (2002); The Honorable James D. Wolfensohn (2001); Harvey Golub (2000); Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover K.G., Hon. Simon Sainsbury, and Sir Timothy Sainsbury (1999); Richard Hampton Jenrette (1998); Phyllis Lambert (1997); His Highness The Aga Khan (1996); Lord Rothschild (1995); David Rockefeller, Sr. (1994); Dominique de Ménil (1993); Marella and Giovanni Agnelli (1992); Mrs. Vincent Astor (1991); His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (1990); Paul Mellon (1989); and Carlo De Benedetti (1988).
About World Monuments Fund
World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich lives and build mutual understanding. For more than 55 years, working at more than 700 sites in 112 countries, its highly skilled experts have applied proven and effective techniques to the preservation of important architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through the World Monuments Watch—a biennial, nomination-based program—WMF uses cultural heritage conservation to empower communities and improve human well-being. In partnership with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has offices and affiliates worldwide.
Visit www.wmf.org for more information, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Media Contact:
Judith Walker, jwalker@wmf.org
Evan Lenox, evan@culturalcounsel.com
