GNOSES
Darby Mae Wagner
Creative Producer in Hospitality + Design
United States
Darby is a creative producer and hospitality virtuoso based in the vibrant realm of New York City, celebrated for her ability to transform abstract visions into compelling and original content, concepts, and events. In addition to her primary pursuits, she dons many hats as a writer, poet, experience designer, and sommelier through her artistic guild and studio, GNOSES. Among her passions are interior styling, the art of sourcing and restoring secondhand treasures, dance and movement practices, reading, exploring esoteric arts, and crafting meals for cherished friends.
With a wealth of experience across diverse industries—both as a freelancer and a dedicated team member on domestic and global stages—Darby’s eclectic professional journey has nurtured her industrious, adaptable, and detail-oriented work ethic. From the bustling realms of food and beverage establishments to intimate creative agencies, public education institutions to the enchanting world of performing arts, her foundational studies in Arts Management and French have blossomed into a unique lens on the world, rarely encountered.
Mastering both brevity and depth, she writes to share insights, unveil truths, inspire hearts, and enlighten minds. The art of persuasion is a craft she wields with finesse. As a copywriter and brand strategist, Darby meticulously molds her clients’ visions into a body of work that resonates with distinct marketability.
Driven by a fervent belief in the power of building upon past experiences, Darby aspires to weave together her skills, knowledge, and passions in design and hospitality, music and the arts, as well as community building and education. Her goal is to become a trusted consultant for individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to forward-thinking, anti-racist, and environmentally-conscious initiatives.
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In May of 2021, Darby launched GNOSES [noh-sis], a concept turned creative studio founded on the German concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, or the "total artwork". The following month, its first experience - a multi-course dinner with an accompanying beverage pairing (featuring natural wines from NY state and Mexico as well as small-batch mezcals from Oaxaca) - took place in Mexico City to much avail. The experience was designed in collaboration with chef, Abigail Julia Schmitt of Gingko Fine Dining, with the intention of amplifying the work of their partner, Queen Bee Honey, based in Merida, to whom all proceeds were donated.
Embodying the alchemical process, GNOSES is a liminal and cyclical space of creation and destruction, death and rebirth, a conceptual plane at the crossroads of reality and incorporeality, with the intent of fostering deeper connections to the self and others. On a material level, GNOSES expresses itself through a diverse modicum of artistic mediums and immersive experiences. Previous collaborators include: The Autumn Salon, Atmosfera, Gingko Fine Dining, ArtX, Sitopia, and artist, Casey Baugh, among others.
GNOSES also has a Substack where Darby (and guild members) release occasional essays, poetry, and other random obscura, exploring the connections between culture, spirit, and nature.
(https://gnoses.substack.com/)
GNOSES is the co-founder and co-producer of Wine Poetic, a monthly workshop series exploring the threads between wine, spirits, poetry, and history. The program launched in 2023 in partnership with The Poetry Society of New York.
(https://www.are.na/darby-wagner/wine-poetic)
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coucou bisoux is an experimental design project centered on circularity, cultural preservation, and artistic exchange, launched in partnership with interior designer, Christina Agnes Love. Inspired by the Parisians salons of yore and our mutual love of design and wine, we transformed an art gallery into a dynamic space of storytelling through art, furniture and wine. A fusion of showroom and salon, our meticulously curated collection of secondhand furnishings beckoned guests to partake, allowing them to become co-authors of a shared narrative. Accompanying the furnishings, was a selection of unique natural wines guests could enjoy while perusing the premises, with costs recouped through suggested donations. The space also featured works from two talented NYC artists as well as bespoke pieces by the founders, resulting in a remarkable achievement: over 90% of the 45-piece collection found new owners in just nine days.
(www.coucoubisoux.com)
