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The upcoming calendar of auctions will reveal the state of the art market and, for those who don't have their paddles at the ready, take a rare glimpse at the artworks that will soon be hidden away in private collections. We showcase the sales, previews and pieces not to miss.
As the international art set of gallerists and collectors gather in London this week for the Frieze contemporary art fair, the auction calendar moves into full swing. Contemporary art sales in London are followed by sales in Paris (timed to coincide with FIAC) and New York (where, in better economic circumstances, records were often broken). More than ever, all eyes will be on the auction rooms as buyers and sellers gauge the state of the art market.
“Auction houses are only accepting what they believe they can sell, which has led to smaller but successful sales with decent sell-through rates – an important factor in the art market, where confidence is king,” wrote Georgina Adam, the editor-at-large of The Art Newspaper, in the Financial Times this weekend.
Confirming that auction houses are changing their strategies in order to attract the best pieces, Phillips de Pury has added a series of themed auctions to its schedule. “We have to be different,” says Simon de Pury, chairman of the auction house. “We are adding a sale called Music to our regular schedule, as well as 17 others. I’m very optimistic for the market overall.”
While art market professionals wait with baited breath for auction results, what about the average art lover? For those with the same passion but without the means of the Charles Saatchis and the Eli Broads of this world, the auction season offers the chance to take a rare glimpse at artworks that are usually squirelled away in private collections.
Works by Picasso, Leger, Basquiat, Kandinsky and Giacometti - that have previously been secreted in private hands - are momentarily available to view at auction houses around the world. Savvy art enthusiasts should treat Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Phillips de Pury as they might the Tate, Centre Pompidou or MOMA.
As we showcase the highlights from the upcoming auction season, we encourage you to visit the previews and see these remarkable pieces before they return to private collections.
What: Contemporary Art Including Arab and Iranian Art.
Where: Sotheby’s, London.
When: Friday October 16, 3pm.
Preview:
Sunday October 11 – Thursday Oct 15.
Highlights: Chris Ofili’s mesmerising canvas Afro Apparition (2002-2003); the magnificent sculpture Untitled (1997) by Anish Kapoor; and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Fuego Flores (1983). The Arab and Iranian Art section comprises work by emerging artists, as well as outstanding examples by the established masters. Highlights include Mona Hatoum’s Baalbeck Birdcage, Farhad Moshiri’s Cowboy and Indian and Y. Z. Kami’s Blue Dome.
More info: http://catalogue.sothebys.com/events/L09624
What: Contemporary Art.
Where: Phillips de Pury, London.
When: Saturday October 17, 7pm.
Preview:
Saturday October 10 – Saturday October 17.
Highlights: Lucio Fontana’s Conetto spaziale (1958-1960), a remarkable painted terracotta sculpture; Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Year of the Boar (1983); and a selection of pieces by Martin Kippenberger.
More info: http://www.phillipsdepury.com/auctions.aspx?sn=UK010509
What: 20th Century Decorative Art & Design.
Where: Christie’s, London.
When: Tuesday October 27, 2pm.
Preview:
Saturday October 24 - Monday October 26.
Highlights: Ron Arad’s Unique Fish: A Unique Chair, crafted from hammered and welded steel; Carlo Buggati’s two seat bench; and George Nakashima’s New Lounge Chair.
More info: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?intSaleID=22235#action=refine&intSaleID=22235&sid=60067f04-b7fe-4a0d-8616-83c0a3ccca5c
What: Picasso Editions.
Where: Christie’s, London.
When: Thursday Oct 29, 2pm.
Preview:
Saturday October 24 - Wednesday October 28.
Highlights: Picasso of all types at more affordable prices than at the big New York sales. Our favourites? The edition ceramics which still seem to be undervalued.
More info: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?intSaleID=22707
What: Important Jewels.
Where: Sotheby’s New York.
When: Monday October 19 at 10am and 2pm.
Preview:
Wednesday October 14 – Monday October 19.
Highlights: Spectacular estate jewelry from private collections dominates (the Madoff effect?), but it is a spectacular pear-shaped diamond ring that is the centerpiece of the sale. Weighing 29.53 carats, the D color, internally flawless stone carries an estimate of $1,800,000.
More info: http://www.sothebys.com/app/paddleReg/paddlereg.do?dispatch=eventDetails&event_id=29346
What: Impressionist and Modern Art.
Where: Sotheby’s, New York.
When: Wednesday November 4, 7pm and Thursday November 5, 10am.
Preview: Friday October 30 – Wednesday November 4.
Highlights: Renoir! Pissaro! Picasso! Miró! Kandinsky! Leger! Chirico! Our favourites? Alberto Giacometti’s signature sculptures: Buste de Diego and L’Homme Qui Chavire.
More info: http://catalogue.sothebys.com/events/N08587
What: Post-War & Contemporary Art.
Where: Christie’s, New York.
When: November 10 at 7pm.
Preview: November 6 – November 10.
Highlights: Peter Doig’s Reflection (What Does Your Soul Look Like); Mark Rothko’s Blue, Red, Black on Red; and a signature Donald Judd steel and plexiglass sculpture.
More info: http://www.christies.com/calendar/?month=11&year=2009
What: Collection Charles Sevigny and Yves Vidal.
Where: Christie’s, Paris.
When: Thursday October 22 at 2pm.
Preview: Friday October 16 – Wednesday October 21.
Highlights: The Quai d’Orsay apartment of decorator Charles Sevigny and Yves Vidal was packed with art, sculpture and objects of the finest quality. Don’t miss Picasso ceramics, the Hans Hartung painting or a collection of pieces by Harry Bertoia.
More info: http://www.christies.com/calendar/?month=11&year=2009
What: Iranian and Arab Contemporary Art.
Where: Artcurial, Paris.
When: October 24 at 4.30pm.
Preview: October 21 to 24.
Highlights: After important exhibitions in London (at the Saatchi Gallery), and Paris (at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac), Iranian and Arab contemporary art is one of the market’s stars. Two important collections form the basis of Artcurial’s sale, with the highlights being early works by some of the most established names on the market: Farhad Moshiri; Reza Derakhshani; Abbas Kiarostami; Rokni Haerizadeh; and Bita Fayyasi,
More info: http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/searchresults.asp?t=1217441&shopper=&
What: Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.
Where: Christie’s, Paris.
When: November 17 to November 20.
Preview: November 12 to 16.
Highlights: The first sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in Paris in February was a spectacular affair – records were broken (the sale totalled over $480 million) and crowds queued for access to the preview at the Grand Palais. Expect the same at the second in the series; on offer are the contents of their country house, Chateau Deauville, which includes art, sculpture, design and furniture.
More info: http://www.christies.com/calendar/?month=11&year=2009
What: Asian Contemporary Art.
Where: Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
When: November 30.
Preview: November 27 to November 29.
Highlights: The prices of contemporary art from China, Japan, India and Korea – as is on offer at this sale in Hong Kong – are amongst the most affected by the economic crisis. Speculators will be out in force at Sotheby’s auction, looking to pick up work by Liu Ye, Zao Wou-ki and Zao Wou-ki at “corrected” prices.
More info: http://www.christies.com/calendar/?month=11&year=2009