As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, a collective energy surges around the world—an electric pulse of celebration, indulgence, and renewal. Silvester, the night where life becomes a party, inspires us to embrace glittering extravagance, luxury, and the pure, unfiltered joy of existence. This curated selection of artworks channels that spirit beautifully, offering a tongue-in-cheek celebration of life’s finest pleasures while never losing sight of a subtle sense of humor.
Ellen von Unwerth, Madonna – Material Girl II
Works like “Glitter Champagne” by Tyler Shields and “Diamond Crusher” by David Drebin capture the New Years Spirit. Shields’ surreal image of glitter pouring from a champagne bottle epitomizes opulence with a playful edge. The exaggerated glamour suggests that champagne, often a symbol of luxury, is more than a drink—it’s a performance, a moment to sparkle. Similarly, Drebin’s elegant, impossibly high stiletto crushing a diamond reflects an audacious attitude toward excess. It challenges us to laugh at luxury even as we indulge in its allure.
These works aren’t just about wealth or status; they revel in the absurd beauty of the good life. Diamonds and glitter transform into metaphors for the way we experience celebration—bright, fleeting, and extraordinary.
Tyler Shields, Glitter Champagne, 2019
“Golden Teeth” by Sylvie Blum blurs the line between human and art object, much like how New Year’s Eve suspends us between the past and the future. The reflective, metallic tones echo the brilliance of champagne bubbles or a disco ball—timeless symbols of revelry. The golden-coated teeth and a provocative tongue make a bold, tongue-in-cheek statement. This Artwork elevates decadence to an art form, provoking a reaction that balances admiration with knowing humor.
Sylvie Blum, Golden Teeth
This collection also draws on nostalgia—a reminder that New Year’s Eve is not just about looking forward, but about revisiting moments of extravagance and spontaneity. “Diane Kruger in Paris” by Mark Seliger evokes a bygone era of cabaret, feathered costumes, and mirrors, where beauty and fantasy intertwined. The opulent pink hues and languid postures paint Paris as a city where life itself is art—a fitting metaphor for how New Year’s Eve transforms even ordinary nights into something magical.
Mark Seliger, Diane Kruger in Paris
“Diamonds with Caviar” by Jesse Frohman is luxury, taken to delicious extremes. Diamonds spill across a plate of caviar, blending two icons of excess in an image that is at once absurd and aspirational. Here, Frohman questions what we value, encouraging us to embrace indulgence while being self-aware enough to smile at its audacity.
This balance between serious glamour and playful humor runs throughout the selection. These artists capture the performative nature of luxury—how New Year’s Eve becomes a stage for our glittering personas. The masks we wear, the champagne we spill, and the sparkle we chase are all part of the grand spectacle.
Jesse Frohman, Diamonds and Caviar
Taken together, this collection forms a cohesive celebration of Silvester and the themes that define it: indulgence, nostalgia, beauty, and humor. From Blum’s sculptural bodies to Unwerth’s vintage glamour and Shields’ playful surrealism, the works harmonize in their exploration of life’s fleeting yet unforgettable joys.
David Drebin, Diamond Crusher
These images remind us that life itself is the ultimate party. Whether it’s champagne bubbles shimmering in the light, diamonds glinting underfoot, or a perfectly staged scene of cabaret decadence, there’s humor, beauty, and a touch of irony in every frame.
David Yarrow, Dancing on Ice, St. Moritz Switzerland, 2024
So, as you toast to a new year, let these works inspire you to embrace the glitter, the chaos, and the good things in life. After all, as this selection shows us, life is too short not to sparkle. From all of us at Preiss Fine Arts, we raise a glass to you—cheers to a bright, beautiful, and art-filled New Year!
Ellen von Unwerth, Untitled, 7000 Magazine, Paris