The summer is coming to an end and at last with
the first days of September we can observe that the most important
international auction houses are setting to work in order to launch a
sensational autumn season, in which the art market will be put to the
test again, verifying whether the trend is positive or if there are the
first signs of a crisis that all the economists of the sector have been
expecting for some time.
The dance for the opening of the new season of the
market will be led by the union Damien Hirst and Sotheby's with the
presentation of “Beautiful inside my head forever”, sale scheduled for
the 15th and 16th September at the London venue of the famous auction
house. A historical occasion which is anticipated to fetch something
like 65 million pounds (about 82 million euros). Altogether 168 lots
will be presented to the salesroom public: about 40 important works
during the evening of the first day and with a daytime session on the
16th with more accessible works, such as drawings, which have an
estimated value between 15 and 20 thousand pounds.
“Beautiful inside my head forever” follows the
legendary auction of “Pharmacy”, organized by the same Sotheby's in
October 2004. All the lots auctioned by the London house were sold
totalling 11,132,180 pounds. Very far from the best presale estimate
of 3.5 - 4.9 million pounds.
Damien Hirst said: “After the success of the
auction sale “Pharmacy”, I immediately wished to do another auction
sale. It is a democratic way to sell art and it seems a natural
evolution for the contemporary art market. Although in effect some
risks are involved. I embrace the challenge to sell my work at
auction. Nevertheless, I absolutely want to continue working with my
galleries. But this is different. The world is changing. And lately I
have been feeling the need to see where this road leads".
Besides hosting “Pharmacy” and “The Red
Auction”, the most glamorous charity event to be held in New York last
14th February, Sotheby's has become the favourite place for Hirst's
purchases. The most recent deal involves a self-portrait by Francis
Bacon, bought for 23.2 million at Sotheby's New York on 14th November
2007 without forgetting the sculpture by Jeff Koons for which Damien
Hirst paid 4.2 million euros last 27th February.
Four years later the leader of YBA (Young
British Art) is trying it again. How will the market react? With a
certain euphoria or a bit exhausted up against these marketing actions?
The signal from the Larry Gagosian gallery is synthetic and clear:
“From Damien we are used to expecting the unexpected. He can certainly
rely on our presence in the room with a paddle in hand (metaphor for
the raised arm)”.
The diamond point of the London auction will be
“The Golden Calf”, new monumental work by Hirst which consists in a
formaldehyde calf, crowned by a solid gold circle, and with its horns
and clogs dipped in 18-carat gold. Embedded in stainless steel and
gold-plated and glass box. This unusual work, which marries the
English artist's interest in science, religion beauty and death, is
valued for an estimate included between 8 and 12 million pounds.
“The Golden Calf” is confirmed as the most
expensive work offered by Sotheby's, to which other works realized by
Hirst in formaldehyde during the last two years are added. In the
catalogue there are outstanding works such as “The Dream” presented
with an estimate of 2-3 million pounds, but also “False Idol” (estimate
1.8 – 2.5 million pounds) and “Incredible Journey” (estimate 2- 3 million
pounds).
“Beautiful Inside my Head Forever” will be a
historical auction entirely dedicated to Damien Hirst's works and it
will include an exceptional range of works realized by Hirst during the
last two years. From the monumental sculptures in formaldehyde, to
the cabinets and the new paintings that expand on the themes dear to
the English artist, such as butterflies, cancer cells and pills. This
way Sotheby's is preparing to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of
Freeze, the famous exhibition that in 1988 started off the YBA season
and Hirst's career.
Cheyenne Westphal, Chairman Contemporary Art of
Sotheby's Europe and Oliver Barker, Sotheby's Senior International
Specialist, said: “Damien Hirst is the main artist of his generation.
The extraordinary body of the new oeuvre that is about to be put on
display by Sotheby's is even better, if possible: ambitious, exquisite
and incredibly powerful”.
Written by Elena Lanzanova For Art Magazine Arcadja
Home
News
