“Contemporary Art Fair + Amazing Machines” Coming To The Bridge

Cars and art will align at The Bridge during a contemporary art fair + amazing machines presented by Richard Mille on Saturday, September 16. The most exclusive event for vintage cars will return for a second year with a new art exhibition featuring six of the most distinguished contemporary galleries in the world. This year’s invite-only showcase will feature over 100 rare and vintage cars and a magnificent art exhibition.

Swiss watch manufacturer, Richard Mille, is renowned for his inspired application of cutting-edge technology alongside the centuries-old culture and traditions of fine watchmaking. This year’s presenting sponsor and founder has a personal interest in vintage cars. His company has been an enthusiastic partner of numerous professional racecar drivers as well as McLaren-Honda Formula 1 and McLaren Automotive. The source of inspiration behind the creation of the first Richard Mille watch in 2001 came from concepts and materials associated with the foundations of the brand’s philosophy today. This partnership was a natural one.

“My watches are an expression of my love for all things technical, and for automobiles in particular, stated Mille. “The Bridge promises to showcase cars one might never see.” The Bridge is focused on post-war vehicles dated 1957-1974 that raced or would have been able to race at The Bridge during its glory years.

The contemporary art component of the event is an exhibition created by organizers Max Levai and Pascal Spengemann of Marlborough Contemporary and Suzanne Butler of CANADA, featuring six leading galleries including Marlborough Contemporary, David Zwirner, Karma, CANADA Gallery, David Kordansky Gallery and Mitchell Innes and Nash. The exhibition will be arranged on the 18th hole and galleries will present artwork within Lars Fisk-designed doublewide shipping containers. Outdoor sculptures will be presented around the grounds. The galleries will be arrayed in a circle around a central common area that will encourage a leisure walk around.

The Bridge provides the perfect landscape for this premiere and exclusive event where art meets golf. (Photo: Michael Shaffer of Capitol Sunset Photography)

Last year’s event featured a selection of works by Richard Prince. Prince remains an integral part of the club as an active member. The clubhouse features a variety of his work, much of it specific to the area. The Bridge has appropriated his Skull Bunny as the symbol of the annual event. Many traditional art events in the Hamptons have been canceled for this season, but event co-founder and owner of The Bridge, Robert Rubin, was inspired to turn the traditional art exhibition on its head. “I’ve always been interested in the interplay between the manufactured and the artisanal,” said Rubin. “Growing the art element of the show is a logical next step. The clubhouse is filled with work by Prince, Ed Ruscha, Tom Sachs, and others who mine this lode.”

Another new and exciting element of this event is a “Cars & Coffee” reception at the Bridgehampton Historical Society, open to the general public on Sunday, September 17. This new addition to The Bridge is an opportunity for car enthusiasts to view and celebrate the unique vehicles brought in for this exclusive exhibition. Notable cars at last year’s event included a 1956 Jaguar D-Type, 1961 Jaguar E Type Low Drag Coupe, 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Lightweight Berlinetta Competizione, and Chrysler 1970 Francorchamps Group 1 Hemicuda. 

This year’s event is a collaboration between Rubin, who has owned the race circuit since 1981 and founded The Bridge golf club in 2002, and the event’s organizers: Jeffrey Einhorn, a Manhattan-based attorney and Shamin Abas, President of Shamin Abas Public Relations & Special Events. Partners of the event include Richard Mille, Bell Helicopter, NetJets, McLaren, Pagani, Karma Automotive, Burgess, Sherry-Lehman, and Nicholas Brawer.

The Bridge is located at 1180 Millstone Road, Bridgehampton. For more information, call 631-537-8902.