Back in Black, L-R, Vladimir Roitfeld, Aby Rosen, Stavros Niarchos (Greek shipping heir and Paris Hilton ex)

As French Vogue Editrix Carine Roitfeld (and mother of last night’s art curator, Vladimir Roitfeld) twirled around an old meat market on the Lower East Side with her pal, designer Jean Paul Gaultier, a super trendy crowd observed the life sized scrawling of Nicolas Pol. Pol, a 22 year old Parisian who had never visited NYC before, lucked out in getting picked up on Vlad’s radar, since Vlad brings a moneyed and famous crowd, although not always serious art mavens. “I don’t come here for the art.” A girl from the Bortolami gallery said and smirked. She was busy checking out Vlad’s friends, slick Euro-dudes in black leather, many with yachts and family estates. One young female collector called it “bad Basquiat.” And, an editor of a major art magazine shook his head. “Its been done before.” That didn’t stop glittery guests like hotelier Andre Balazs from doing the social rounds with his date Daphne Guinness, or scenesters like Genevieve Jones, who is friendly with Vlad, from popping into the gallery and post party at Indochine despite having lost her voice. If a gal needs a moneyed Euro, Vlad’s openings are hot pickings. “He’s a bit like Vito Schnabel, but not as respected. At least Vito can consult his dad.” Said Dee Dee Roth, a guest.

Sixteen works hung on the walls. Pol told me they’re “conceptual but thoughtless.” Vlad called them “bloody and sexual.” And the name of the show, Martus Maw, supposedly means a martyr who dies for his beliefs and a sick liver, as in meat. Aby Rosen, a major collector who owns Lever House uptown, told me he liked the yellow one, below. I’m still waiting to see the receipt of purchase for art described as conceptual, thoughtless, bloody, sexual martyr who doubles as a dead cow organ. With that kind of cash, I’d rather buy a Damien Hirst. He did cow too.

Work by Nicolas Pol, 22 years of age, and self admittedly influenced by Basquiat