The Watermill Center's Annual Benefit Held Saturday

The Watermill Center has never failed to bring an eclectic repertoire to its annual summer benefit and auction, and this year is no exception.

The Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation hosted its 24th gala on Saturday, this year with the theme “Fly Into the Sun.” The sold-out event was held in tribute to the late musician Lou Reed and honored his widow, the artist and performer Laurie Anderson, and actress Isabelle Huppert.

Upon entering the 8.5-acre grounds of the Watermill Center, guests were greeted by a colorful installation by New York artist Jared Madere. Specialty cocktails, dubbed “After Hours,” were offered as attendees ascended the grass-lined stairs into the main event.

After reaching the top of the steps, guests entered the “knee” of the building, where partygoers walked on stones while viewing a performance by dancers Raul de Nieves and Erik Zajaceskowski from Somos Monstros. After exiting the knee, guests stepped into the outdoor venue, which featured more than 20 site-specific installations and performances curated by Noah Khoshbin and Ivan Cheng.

Just outside was a 90-foot white wall that couldn’t be missed. Black, minimalist text read, “She Outwits Him/She Outlives Him,” created by neo-conceptual artist Jenny Holzer. On the opposite side of the massive wall was a more colorful piece featuring graffiti and other drawings by artists Jokubas Nosovas, Nikitas Broukakis and Sam Khoshbin.

Past the wall was a tiki-torch lit path of performances including “Beat,” by Kate Gilmore, where three women stood on blocks stomping their feet and banging their brass knuckles; “Formless Expressions” by Brooklyn dancer Storyboard P; “Monkey on His Back (Love Laboratory),” featuring a man sitting atop a towering pile of bananas, by Nile Harris; and Stephen Shanabrook’s sculpture of a headless man with cotton candy left for brains.

The end of the path led to a tent of more than 100 works for the silent auction by artists including Paul Thek, Saint Clair Cemin, Carlos Bunga and Lindsey Adelman.

After the cocktail reception, guests gathered inside a tent for a meal and were greeted by Watermill Center founder Robert Wilson, who introduced Claude Grunitzky, the newly named president of the Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation, which was founded by Mr. Wilson to provide a supportive platform for emerging artists. Mr. Wilson announced this year’s 80 participants of the center’s International Summer Program, and after inviting honorees Ms. Anderson and Ms. Huppert to the stage, Mr. Wilson called for donations to support the center’s year-round residency program when Robert Downey Jr. interrupted with a $5,000 bid.

Ms. Anderson performed after dinner and DJ Flat White spun as guests danced.