2014 brought a diverse array of actors, artists, musicians, athletes, thinkers, and other illustrious personalities to the Rubin Museum. Below, we’ve counted down 10 of our favorite guests. Keep your eyes peeled during your next visit to our galleries—you never know who you’ll run into!
10. Nelly Furtado
Singer Nelly Furtado joined us in celebrating our 10th anniversary at Cipriani 42nd St. on October 9, 2014.
9. Julian Schnabel
“You don’t want to become a prisoner of whatever it is you do,” the artist and director advised during his “Artists on Art” talk on October 3, 2014. During the event, Schnabel discussed Francesco Clemente’s work as well as his own.
8. Diane von Furstenburg
The fashion designer helped us celebrate the opening of our fall/winter exhibition “Francesco Clemente: Inspired by India.” Here, she poses with the artist in front of his 1980 work Two Painters.
7. Sam Harris
Controversial mind scientist and renowned sceptic Sam Harris discussed his new book Waking Up with meditator and broadcaster Dan Harris. Click here to watch the full talk.
6. Patti Smith
Renowned artist and musician Patti Smith took the Rubin Museum stage with Francesco Clemente as part of our “Clemente x 8” talk series. The talks were held in conjunction with the exhibition “Francesco Clemente: Inspired by India.”
5. Peter Sarsgaard
In honor of our 10th anniversary, the Empire State Building was lit Rubin Museum Red. Actor Peter Sarsgaard flipped landmark’s light switch for us and took a tour of the building.
4. Nas
As part of our “Clemente x 8” series, Nas took the stage with the Italian artist and, at one point, he traded his hat for a shamanic staff from Clemente that was topped with a tiny replica of the hat. After the show, he greeted dozens of eager fans.
3. Salman Rushdie
We invited the best-selling novelist to contribute to the audio companion for “Francesco Clemente: Inspired by India.” Rushdie chose to read a passage from his Costa Award”“winning book The Moor’s Last Sigh, an imaginative family saga that is irreverently interwoven with the history of modern India. Click here to download the free guide.
2. Moby
During a summer 2014 visit to the Museum, the Grammy Award”“winning artist toured our galleries and recorded a video telling us his thoughts on living in New York City and why he loves the Rubin.
1. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Though the former Secretary of State and First Lady didn’t technically make a trip to the Rubin Museum in 2014, she sent us a thoughtful video message congratulating us on completing our first decade. Clinton was one of the Museum’s first visitors when it opened in 2004.Click here to watch the video.