The Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, hosted its annual Summer Party on a recent Saturday, honoring the late designer Gaetano Pesce. The event featured the debut of Big Surprise 2, a limited-edition resin vase created with Italian furniture firm Meritalia and inspired by two Feltri chairs from the host's collection. Guests enjoyed a site-responsive performance by dance company Pilobolus, the exhibition “Barbara Kasten: Structure, Light, Land,” a DJ set by Pete Brockman, and activations by Max Mara. Notable attendees included artists Deborah Brown and Naudline Pierre, architect Paul Goldberger, and museum director Cybele Maylone.
The event matters because it underscores the Glass House's role as a nexus for contemporary art, design, and architecture, while also serving as a tribute to Gaetano Pesce's enduring influence on design. The collaboration with Meritalia and the limited-edition vase highlight how design institutions continue to celebrate and commercialize Pesce's legacy. Additionally, the party's blend of performance, exhibition, and social gathering reflects the growing trend of museums and historic sites using seasonal events to engage donors, collectors, and the broader cultural community.