Turn page after glorious page in David Stark's sophisticated new book and you will discover the true meaning of "live art." Stark, an international event planner, creates living monuments for the philanthropies and individuals whose parties he plans. The only problem? They are temporary. But they live on in Stark's eponymous design book, thank goodness, through the slick photographs that feature his distinctive work. Stark doesn't do mere flowers (although when he does flowers, they are clearly one-of-a-kind). He creates installations as detailed as a dramatic chalkboard backdrop (where event guests are invited to become part of the design) and as simply elegant as a beach wedding (albeit with exotic tents for dinner and dancing). His hallmark is the uniqueness of each event. In the accompanying text, Stark details his out-of-the-box approach to event planning, and one can see quite a bit of the painter that still lives on in him. For Stark, each party is a blank canvas. And after reading the book, one can't wait to see his next brush stroke.
Stacey Mindich