A Showman with a Hammer
The week of Russian art sales starts in London today, November 26, 2007. Potential buyers warmed up in Moscow Sunday, when Russia’s contemporary art was auctioned at the Millionaire Fair in Crocus Expo. Legendary Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury & Co. led the trading.
The yesterday’s auction was smashing. All 29 lots were sold and the better part of them went to buyers at prices well above the estimate. Simon de Pury could be praised for at least a half of success. Once again, he proved that his fame as the fabulous auctioneer and showman was justified.
In addition to anonymous millionaires, the event lured easily identified dealers and collectors, habitués of London trading. For them, it was a matter of honor to support the initiative of auction arrangers, Nicola and Claire Savoretti, the trustees of Contemporary City Foundation, who decided to direct all revenues to the Art Projects Foundation.
Set up in Moscow in 2000, the Art Projects Foundation is a research and archive center focused on the history and today’s achievements of Russia’s informal art.
Owners of Moscow leading galleries, Elena Selina, Marat Gelman, Aidan Salakhova, Vladimir Ovcharenko as well as the artists in person provided the masterpieces. Valery Koshlyakov, for instance, gave his View of Coliseum, which was finally sold for ˆ45,000 vs. the estimate of ˆ30,000.
The Goldfish by Vladimir Dubosarsky and Alexander Vinogradov emerged as the top lot of the auction. Although by far not their most impressive painting, the canvass went for as much as ˆ56,000, confirming the duet’s fame as the best selling stars of the country's contemporary art.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 26, 2007
|
