Art collector, heiress, and philanthropist Doris Duke was one of the original celebutantes who created her own resident Shangri La in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1925 she was dubbed “the richest girl in the world”, and her 1935 honeymoon around the world sparked a lifelong passion for Islamic art. For over 60 years, Duke travelled and bought voraciously, showcasing her legendary collection in a modernist mansion surrounded by tropical gardens. Now the Museum of Art and Design presents Duke’s personal collection of Islamic art, with photos, movies and archival documents. This is the first time Duke’s collection has been exhibited outside of Honolulu and a rare opportunity to view Islamic treasures and American opulence. The work of six contemporary Islamic artists will also be shown, continuing the dialogue of Islamic tradition with Western culture. ILKA SCOBIE
Doris Duke’s Shangri La: Architecture, Landscape and Islamic Art at the Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York City, 212 299 7777
H. Drewry Baker; Wyeth & King, Architects, Conceptual drawing of Playhouse at Shangri La ca. 1936
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