The Watermill Center in Water Mill, New York, is transitioning to new leadership under artistic director Charles Chemin following the death of founder Robert Wilson on July 31, 2025. The interdisciplinary laboratory continues its mission of artistic experimentation, recently hosting the U.S. debut of the NOMAD art and design fair in June 2026.
Robert Wilson, the avant-garde theater legend and architect, died at age 83 at his home in Water Mill after a brief but acute illness
, according to a statement from the center. His passing marks the end of a prolific era for the man who reimagined the stage as a site of spatial inquiry, blending light, geometry, and silence into a distinct theatrical language.
Wilson’s influence extended far beyond the footlights. From his early days at the Pratt Institute—where he earned a BFA in architecture—to his collaboration with Philip Glass on the opera Einstein on the Beach, he consistently defied categorization. As Archpaper reported, Wilson’s work often felt closer to installation than traditional theater, a quality that earned him the Golden Lion for Sculpture at the 1993 Venice Biennale.
Charles Chemin and the Future of the Watermill Center
The institution now enters a new chapter with the appointment of Charles Chemin as artistic director. A longtime collaborator and protégé of Wilson, Chemin brings a history of unconventional programming to the role. According to the Observer, Chemin’s relationship with Wilson was defined by a level of intimacy and playfulness that included non-verbal communication, such as barking at one another to de-escalate disagreements or encourage bolder creative approaches.
NOMAD Hamptons: A Posthumous Homage
In June 2026, the center hosted its first major international event since Wilson’s passing: the U.S. debut of NOMAD. The design fair ran from June 25 to 28, transforming the center’s unique architecture into a curated narrative of art and collectible design. Founder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte framed the event as a deliberate homage to Wilson’s legacy.
Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, Founder of NOMAD, via Observer
The fair featured over 30 exhibitors, split between international and American galleries. The Observer noted that the opening day drew design-world insiders and locals, with New York City visitors arriving over the weekend.
The Architecture of a Creative Legacy
The Watermill Center itself is a physical manifestation of Wilson’s philosophy. As Wallpaper reported, Wilson spent 15 years rebuilding the U-shaped industrial building, which he described as his greatest artistic achievement
.
A Career of Non-Linear Narrative
Wilson’s career was marked by a rejection of naturalism. This approach led to some of the most enduring and challenging works of the 20th century.
| Key Work | Year/Detail | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Einstein on the Beach | 1970 | A minimalist, non-linear opera collaboration with Philip Glass. |
Wilson’s reach was vast, collaborating with figures ranging from Tom Waits to Mikhail Baryshnikov. Even in his final year, he remained active. By the time of his death, he had earned numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
While the Watermill Center continues to operate under Chemin’s direction, the institution remains the primary vessel for Wilson’s legacy. His works on paper, sculptures, and the physical site of the center serve as the enduring record of an artist who spent decades erasing the boundaries between theater and architecture.
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