~PHILLIPS CONTEMPORARY/PART I/NYC/NOV 12

NOV 12 at 7PM.
some highlights !! not a big selection, by any means, but a nice one !!

auction dash snow
LOT 2 (above)
DASH SNOW
Polaroid Wall, 2005
20 c-prints. ea. 20 x 20 in. unique work. (it’s a big piece – takes up the corner of a whole wall.)
. . . an installation of 20 c-prints Dash Snow created from enlargements of his Polaroid film photographs. This is the only work comprised of a set of multiple photographs that the artist has produced. (in his lifetime !!)
ESTIMATE: $40,000-60,000
SOLD FOR: $50,000
(so it seems – Simon exaggerated a little bit – when he said it almost doubled its estimate – but that was how it must have felt – and was received – in the dramatic real-time snap-time energy of the actual auction sale !!)

auction olafur
LOT 5 (above)
OLAFUR ELIASSON
fm3 light, 1999
Halogen lamps, steel stands and fog machine.
This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.
ESTIMATE: $300,000-500,000
SOLD FOR: $362, 500

auction Jack goldstein
LOT 25 (above)
JACK GOLDSTEIN
Untitled, 1987
Acrylic and metallic pigment on canvas. 48-1/4 x 96 1/8 in.
signed, titled and dated “Jack Goldstein Untitled, 1987” on the reverse.
ESTIMATE: $50,000-70,000
SOLD FOR: $104,500 !! – one of the nite’s biggest winners.
(and, another dead artist. suicide.)

auction kara
LOT 34 (above)
KARA WALKER
The Humane Acquisition of Chitlins, 1994-1995
Paper cut-out mounted to paper. 72-1/4 x 52 1/4 in.
ESTIMATE: $40,000-60,000
SOLD FOR: $86,500 – double its low estimate.
(and she is living.)

auction tracey
LOT 38 (above)
TRACEY EMIN
Her soft lips touched mine and every thing became hard. 2008. neon.
39 1/4 x 84 1/8 in. This work is from an edition of 3.
ESTIMATE: $40,000-60,000
SOLD FOR: $86,500 – also double its low estimate.

see: PHILLIPS de PURY & COMPANY !!

UP-DATE: SAT NOV 14, 2009

it’s interesting to note that the ROBERT LONGO, RICHARD PRINCE, TIM NOBLE & SUE WEBSTER failed to find buyers.
on the other hand it is astounding to see that the GEORGE CONDO, a non-typical over-all calligraphic black & white abstract piece from 2000 – went way over its high estimate, (ESTIMATE: $100,000-150,00), selling for $290,000 !! I find it hard to believe this happened without insider manipulation. but who am I ? I still don’t believe in the brand.
another surprise, though perhaps not – considering all the recent blah blah generated, about the so-called ‘alternative’ projects, (BRUCE HIGH QUALITY FOUNDATION), this artist is currently associated with – a JULES DE BALINCOURT painting from 2005 – went way past its estimates (ESTIMATE: $50,000-70,000) to achieve an astounding $116,500 !!
see: PHILLIPS CONTEMPORARY NYC NOV 12, 2009

auction george Condo
LOT 27 (above)
GEORGE CONDO
Mental States (Hiding and Finding),2000
oil and acrylic on canvas. 60 x 100 in.
ESTIMATE: $100,000-150,000
SOLD FOR: $290,500

auction jules de balincourt
LOT 39 (above)
JULES DE BALINCOURT
Ambitious New Plans, 2005
oil on board. 40-1/8 x 59-3/4 in.
ESTIMATE: $50,000-70,000
SOLD FOR: $116,500