THE ART OF THE AUCTION

MARK ROTHKO - UNTITLED

When I was in art school, the curator of the Whitney gave my class a private tour of the gallery. A Rothko was on display. One of the group said their sister could have painted a whole canvas all orange. The curator passionately explained what made this relatively simple looking color field painting important enough to hang in a museum was that it was the first time something like this was ever done. Conviction demands respect.

Don't call me an "Art Snob".

Anyone who has ever met me knows, I'm not a snob about anything.

But, I do know about Art.

Having studied Art History from Lawrence Alloway, the main who coined the term "Pop Art", and having been taught to draw, paint + sculpt by some well known names,

I will always have a place in my heart for the painted canvas.

 

As the brisk weather sets in, I yern to gallery hop. It's a ritual, almost religious experience, to walk in and out of galleries, sporting a warm hat + a runny nose. I crave hobnobing with Soho types...looking at people more than looking at art. (I was engaged to marry one of these cool dudes years ago - luckily I didn't).

This past weekend, I chose to peruse at Sotheby's. It was an Impressionist & Modern Art Preview Day.

Auction this eveing, November 2, and tomorrow during the day.

Since it was Halloween, I dressed as an "Art Collector". Seriously in need of art to fill the walls and complete a few current projects, I am well aware that uber high end purchases aren't currently in vogue.

 

Some of my clients are long standing auction house patrons.

Others have never purchased art before and I teach them what and why.

And others own existing heirlooms, that we build the room around.

Matching the art to the sofa is considered a faux pas by some designers.

In reality, it's sometimes preferred to create a cohesive peaceful look.

 

New constructions + renovations with big windows usually don't have much wall space.

And guess what goes on the lonely wall ? Yep, a TV.

The city scape, water view or acres of nature, which compose a priceless view, can be considered "Art" in motion - ever changing + exposed to the elements.

 

All rooms start as a blank canvas and out of need to sit somewhere the furniture, sofas, rugs + lighting, we consider as functional "art".

Allow me to share some tasty eye candy with you:

GERHARD RICHTER - ABSTRAKTES BILD

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT - RIDDLE ME THIS, BATMAN

JOAN MITCHELL - UNTITLED

ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG - EXILE

One of my all time favorite artists.

ANDY WARHOL - FLOWERS

The real deal. These have been knocked-off so many times.

JOAN MIRO - PERSONNAGE

Stunning collage.

FELIX GONZALEZ-TORRES - UNTITLED (21 DAYS OF BLOODWORK - STEADY DECLINE)

Series of 21 small framed pieces. Difficult to hang in a straight line.

AFTER FERNAND LEGER - FEMME AU BOUQUET

Mosaic or tile art: A client bought a "construction" piece of art with me last week, that we stumbled on while shopping in Soho for other furnishings. The piece was a collage of very articulated tiles on a wood board. It was small in scale but lushly interesting in surface texture and how the light reflected off the grooves. Selling price before trade discount $1200.

Great deal. Art appreciation is priceless.

Unlike viewing art at a Museum, the art seen at Auction is actually for $ale.

 

Of course I saw pieces whose asking price had lots of digits - but there were a few that were valued less than the price of my car - so it's all relative. Fundimentially the concept of an a Auction House as a store vs. viewing art in a Museum setting, is intriguing. I never visit a Museum thinking to buy anything, but here I found myself looking at the price tags of everything, as if I were in Bergdorfs. Is it the strange appeal that once these works of art are sold, it's a good possibility they will end up in a collector's home, never to be seen by the public again? I guess there is a chance they will end up on museum walls someday, but who knows?

 

This concept of privacy makes viewing these collection, a bit voyeuristic.

 

Another noteworthy difference between a Museum and Auction House is that these pieces came from collections, some previously owned by the rich and possibly famous. This adds a mystique and a braggable right as opposed to viewing the gracious generous loans from anonymous Private Collectors. Some of the frames had dents and I noticed some of the canvases were not in absolutely perfect shape. The height of vintage, pre-owned, used! Flashback to my last musing on adding the imperfect "funky" piece to the mix, see Modernism link below. But it's quite possible the last buyer bought the art not only for it's beauty but also for it's investment value.

 

Each piece could have had more than one set of parents, thus passed along from home to home. There was a truly beautifully formal painting of a seated woman, that was from Demi Moore's private collection. Another piece was from Steve Wynn's mega holdings - kinda makes you wonder why he would be selling?

When they have their furniture sales, potential buyers are invited to actually sit on the goods. In the jewelry section, there was a bracelet that was worn by the Queen of England, a picture of her wearing it and it was right there in a locked case, for me to try on! Very cool but no chance that the tiny bracelet of different color crosses would ever fit around my wrist.

  As a peronal note: When my long time assistant Jeanne came to work and heard about this posting, she told me that years ago she was a Sotheby's employee. She worked for the jewelry division for 10 years, showing diamonds to the dealers! Things you learn about people you think you know.  

Touching at Auction is encouraged. Different than a Museum's hands-off don't-stand-too-close, policy.

 

On the social side, this place had the ultimate in "people watching". Largely void of the run-of-the-mill tourist, the look of the day was definitely British. Very upscale, very erudite and actually very friendly.

Lots of smartly dressed Sotheby's employees around to explain or answer any questions at length.

I must mention the affordable eats on the 10th floor? Just as you walk in on the main level is the book shop with catalogues and great coffee table gifts printed by their signature luxury publisher, Assouline. Right next to the books, you can find the The Assouline Wine Shop. A whole life style experience.

This is going to be my new hang out.

Oh, I'm the touristy one with the camera.

Did I mention viewing is free?