David Stark Design and Production

11/12/2024

This past Saturday night while working an event, a young server named Fahid came up to me and said, “Can I ask you a question? As I am at the beginning of my career, what advice would you give to your younger self now that you are where you are?”

I was so surprised with how sweet and forward he was that I was a little stumped to give him an immediate answer, but after hemming and hawing, I finally said, “Patience. I would advise myself to have patience.”

But you know what? The minute I got home, I realized that that is not true at all. In fact, I think it might have been my insatiable hunger, ambition, and LACK of patience that really drove me forward. So I rescind that, Fahid. Instead . . .

Take on things you are not ready for, and then figure out how to do them! Be impatient and push as hard as you can. Be hungry and don’t wait for things ( or people) to come to you. Go out and get them.

That’s the advice I’d give my younger self. ❤️
📷 1 & 8 by ; 📷 5 & 10 by ; 📷 7 by ; All other by

11/10/2024

It’s funny how ideas come full circle.

I think all the time about the maps on the walls of Restaurant Florent in NYC. Do you remember the all-night French diner in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan that opened in the mid-80’s, closed in 2008, and was the epitome of cool and inclusivity? It was a very pivotal place for me. I worked for Mr. Florent at his sister restaurant, Restaurant Bellevue in Hell’s Kitchen long before the neighborhood was cool. Frankly, I credit Florent for teaching me what throwing a party was all about. He was the greatest host.

Fast forward, I have been thinking about maps since, and when we learned of the extraordinary collection of them at the , I finally had my chance to explore my own iteration of mapping for the institution’s annual Library Lions Gala. Of course, at the time I first saw them on the walls of Florent, I had no idea I’d ever become an event planner or an experiential designer. Nor did it occur to me that I would ever have a reason to “explore that idea,” but it’s fascinating that Florent’s maps have made such an indelible mark on my brain.

Swipe ◀️ to see more images of ever-changing map projections on the walls of the iconic Main Reading Room of the NYPL. Dear Florent, thank you for all you taught me. You have no idea how you have influenced me over the years, but it’s true.
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11/09/2024

One of our design goals is to find the conceptual way into the project rather than simply decorate for the sake of decorating. We ask ourselves: what’s an idea that would have meaning? What’s an idea that would say something about the organization, the brand, or the individual?

Case in point, this past Monday, our dear friends at the hosted their annual Library Lions Gala in which they honor several distinguished individuals for outstanding achievement in their respective fields of arts, letters, culture, and scholarship. The dinner and ceremony is held in the Library’s Main Reading Room, one of New York’s most iconic spaces, and it is the only event able to be held there, which makes it even more special.

So how do you enhance a room that’s already extraordinary? We looked deep into the Library itself, discovering that it houses one of the world’s premiere map collections, and we mined the archives to create a series of ever changing projections that blanketed the walls of this majestic room. We also created custom lampshades enhanced with maps that replaced the reading table shades for just this night while a map-hued palette of flowers, cloths, and carpet completed the immersion.

When the iconography we use comes from the Library, it reveals more about this storied institution, and as our friend Martha Stewart’s says ( who happened also to be a guest that evening ), that’s a good thing.

Swipe ◀️ for more.
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11/08/2024

In the planning and design stage, the question of whether candles are somber or celebratory comes up quite often. What do you think?

At the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala, we used thousands of candles to fill the vast train station in Richmond, VA with a golden glow. For us, the candles were many things; they were very beautiful and elemental, they honored so many individuals touched by the disease, but perhaps most importantly, Massey lights the path of hope, and we wanted to pay tribute to all of the people in the room who have supported that important cause tirelessly.

Swipe ◀️ for more from this special evening of love, courage, hope and resilience.


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11/07/2024

We made this installation recently for a fundraising gala for one of the most important cancer research centers in the nation, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center ( ) . Massey celebrated 50 years of impact and innovation on this occasion, and this sculpture was an apt metaphor for the work and the emotions surrounding this milestone.

In the aftermath of the presidential election, I write from Oregon where I am collaborating with a group of artists (including my husband , , , and ), who are creating a hybrid music / dance / theater piece about immigration called ENGLISH WITH AN ACCENT. The Massey installation has even more significance to me right now as I think about the issues and emotions surrounding immigration and the election in relation to this group of artists who I respect, adore, and believe whole heartedly in. They are not here to take. They are here to give. And I will support and advocate for that until the end.

We send a giant thank you to our friends at the for believing in the work and our mission, and for giving these important artists the opportunity to develop this production that speaks to the universal themes of home, safety, and belonging. We all share in those basic, human needs, regardless of whether we are Republican, Democrat, or anything in between.

Swipe ◀️ for a tiny window into our workshop in Oregon, bookended by HOPE.
📷 1 and 5 by ; All other 📷 and 🎥 by 📱;

11/06/2024

11/03/2024

I create large parties and exuberant experiences for a living. They are the art that I create. But when it comes to my own birthday, (which is today) I am quiet and introspective. I also can’t remember the last time I didn’t have an event install on my birthday, so today, that tradition continues. I don’t mind that at all. In fact, I think it’s a wonderful reminder of all I am grateful for.
I’ll be at the New York Public Library today — one of the most spectacular places in the world. We’re working on a project near and dear to my heart — their Library Lions Gala, and I’ll be surrounded by some of the most talented, awesome people on the planet. So THAT’s a party!

As I gain another year, on this day, I’m thankful for all the opportunities I and my team have, and I ruminate on all the ways I can be a better boss, husband, friend, brother, son, partner, collaborator, artist, mentor, and empathetic human in the coming year. I enjoy thinking about that. 🎂 🥳 🎈
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11/02/2024

Nothing says fall more than autumn leaves, and we use as many bales of them as we can each season. Whether that be maple or sweet gum, pear or plum, we’re all in, but we’re all in for BIG. We often construct our vessels in our wood shop, so we can get much larger than what commercially purchased ones allow for. And lately, actual trees or even the iconography of trees come in as complementary or additional ways of trumpeting the season. When a metaphor works, we explore as many iterations of it as we can. 😉

Swipe ◀️ to view just a few of those iterations as well as our talented gang behind the scenes, knee deep in fall. 🍁🍃🍂
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11/01/2024

Goodbye, October. Hello, November!

Swipe ◀️ for a visual roundup of just some of our last month. We’re excited for all the great things coming up (including my birthday!). Calling all Scorpios . . .
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10/31/2024

Feeling blue — still-life with broccoli flowers. 🥦
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10/30/2024

We’ve been wanting to work with broccoli for some time, and I am happy we decided to wait until the fall when broccoli is booming. That said, upon visiting the farmers market and seeing the glory, we couldn’t help but expand our scope to include other members of the cruciferous family like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Why not?! The more the merrier, right?!

Swipe ◀️ for 🥦
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10/27/2024

Say fall without saying fall.
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10/26/2024

I walked by the door to our studio the other day and thought, how funny! The place where so much magic is made is so seemingly nondescript from the outside. The average passerby would never have any idea what we could possibly be doing behind that door! In reality, though, this atelier of creativity is a veritable clown car of beauty and zaniness that is constantly churning out newness. That’s such a nice juxtaposition, I think.

Swipe ◀️ to see just a handful of examples of the work that comes out of this commonplace door. 🚪
📷 1 by 📱; 🎥 2 & 9 by ; 📷 3, 7, & 8 by ; 🎥 4 by ; 📷 5 by ; 🎥 6 by ; 📷 10 by

10/24/2024

There was a turning point in our studio’s output where making things that are round were just as feasible as making things that had angles, and now there’s no turning back. Of course, round is harder than square. It’s also more expensive than square, but sometimes what you need is a really good circle. So, here’s to things that are round in all their glory! 🥂

Swipe ◀️ to see a variety of circular objects, installations, and furniture pieces that we have created for recent events.
📷 1, 3, 5, & 7-9 by ; 🎥 2 by ; 📷 4 & 10 by ; 📷 10 by

10/22/2024

Details of the fall entertaining season upon us in all its glory . . .

Swipe ◀️ for our rumination on color this minute across three, separate projects.
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10/21/2024

It’s with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of inspiring artist, collaborator and friend who and I featured with pride in our book AT THE ARTISAN’S TABLE.

A longtime friend and collector of Isabelle’s work, Jane brought me to her magical studio in Brussels long before we even had the idea of creating a book, and I was enchanted by her paper kingdom where she and her team fashioned historical outfits, chandeliers, vases, shadow boxes and, frankly, anything under the sun out of painted paper. We returned to capture her world for the Chinoiserie chapter of our book about four years ago, and I remember the lovely lunch she served us in her kitchen as if it was yesterday.

May you rest in peace, dear Isabelle. You made a real impact during your life in so many ways. What a privilege it was to be welcomed into your studio and home and to have experienced you and your exuberant art. Thank you.
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10/20/2024

One of the most glamorous nights in NY, the Opening Night Gala was the most well attended gala since before the pandemic. The evening began with a magnificent program at the legendary concert hall and a black tie dinner to follow at Cipriani’s elegant space on 42nd Street. A fabulous mix of philanthropists, musicians, Hollywood stars, writers, and tastemakers were in attendance, including Jon Batiste, Liev Schreiber, Ellen Burstyn, Fran Lebowitz, Edie Falco, F. Murray Abraham, Chuck Schumer, and our longtime friend and collaborator, Mercedes Bass who puts so much of herself into this evening each year. 🎶 🎼 🎵

We are humbled to have collaborated with our friends at Carnegie Hall, led by dear for well over a decade. It’s truly an honor, gang, to be a part of your team. Congratulations on a stellar night — so proud of you.

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10/13/2024

This photograph reminds me why we do what we do.

The events business is all about creating JOY, and when you see such sheer elation on people’s faces as captured so beautifully here by , it makes all the hard work truly worth it.

A and S, wishing you a lifetime of joy together.
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