. . . word just back from the auction – “it was a blood bath” !!<\/p>\n our man on the scene, SIMON CERIGO relates that he arrived late, at 8:15 – and it was already over !! the Thursday night auction starts at 7 PM and usually the action is still going strong til 9. and, FILE UNDER: INTERESTING TIMING – PHILLIPS de PURY, as in … the whole auction house company – was recently sold, about a month or two ago, to a group of Russian investors – names unknown. SIMON de PURY remains with the company – as day-to-day manager and auctioneer. <\/p>\n on the lighter side – ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST was overheard bragging about his (supposed) big art world scoop – an interview with DAMIEN HIRST – which took place just after the recent SOTHEBY – DAMIEN HIRST – SALE in LONDON, about Damien’s new paintings – the scoop ? that he is, here’s the (supposedly) exciting part – painting the paintings himself. The Haden-Guest essay is coming out in the new INTERVIEW, to hit the stands in a few days, and Anthony was pleased as punch – to report it also includes photos of the new paintings. <\/p>\n Simon was also amazed that the JOHN CURRIN – LOT 24 (in the PHILLIPS Thursday night offering) did not sell. especially because it was an early piece, (1993) and to his eye – a beautiful one, and … “an important work that started his career rolling”. As reported in the New York Times of WED NOV 12, 2008 – CAROL VOGEL – relates that Los Angeles collector DEAN VALENTINE had no trouble selling his John Currin painting – ‘Nice ‘n’ Easy’, “a 1999 painting of two renaissance-inspired nude women that Sotheby’s had priced at $3.5 million to $4.5 million. Three people bid for it, and it sold for a record price of $5.4 million”. ok. thanks, Simon. <\/p>\n back to the auction: UP-DATE: SAT NOV 15, 2008 – 12:41 PM<\/p>\n about that JOHN CURRIN – that did not sell. LOT 2<\/p>\n TERENCE KOH ESTIMATE: $80,000 – 120,000 LOT 6 <\/p>\n RICHARD PRINCE ESTIMATE: $120,000 – 180,000<\/strong> LOT 23<\/p>\n ANDREAS GURSKY ESTIMATE: $200,000 – 300,000<\/strong> LOT 24<\/p>\n JOHN CURRIN ESTIMATE: $500,000 -700,000 LOT 25<\/p>\n CINDY SHERMAN ESTIMATE: $200,000 – 300,000<\/strong> LOT 48<\/p>\n YOSHITOMO NARA ESTIMATE: $200,000 – 300,000<\/strong>
\nthe chairs were all empty and pretty much everybody had left, except about 10 people who were sipping champagne – around the podium.
\nSIMON de PURY … was talking to JUDD TULLY of ART & AUCTION, and JOSH BAER, a New York ‘blue chip’ art consultant. Meanwhile, MICHAEL McGINNIS, PHILLIPS’ Worldwide Head for Contemporary Art was surrounded by about 5 or 6 other notebook scribbling – art world scribes, including ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST, and ALEXANDRA PEERS, the former Wall Street Journal contributor, now freelance writing for NEW YORK Magazine’s Intelligencer section – all looking like they had just witnessed a ‘car crash in the street’ and wanting to know – what happened !!. <\/p>\n
\nout of 56 LOTS, only 30 sold – meaning the rest didn’t reach their (secret) minimum !!
\nthe only stuff that sold – was real crusty – like ol’ school x 1000 – I mean is DAN FLAVIN (ok. a gorgeous piece – but come on – that was ages ago), DONALD JUDD or ROY LICHTENSTEIN – contemporary, any more ? are they even<\/em> alive. no, they are not !! can you be dead by a decade, and still be considered contemporary by definition ?
\n[DAN FLAVIN 1933-1996\/DONALD JUDD 1928-1994\/ROY LICHTENSTEIN 1923-1997]
\n[contemporary – “a person of the present age” – AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY]
\n. . . and even their blue chip works, sold pretty much low ball. As stated above – even the JOHN CURRIN – LOT 24 – failed to find a buyer. The only truly interesting !! edgey contemporary piece that sold, (and above its high estimate) – was the TERRENCE KOH – LOT 2 – which had a pre-sale estimate of $80,000-120,000 and went for: a high bid of $122,500.
\nand the true story behind that – is unknown. sometimes dealers, or other parties with vested interests – and deep pockets – make sure their pet projects don’t go down the drain, in such a public manner. or it could be totally legit. I mean, no one stepped in to save the other – almost 50% – that failed to make it worth while for their sellers to let go – at what must have been vicious fire sale bidding. <\/strong><\/p>\n
\naccording to CAROL VOGEL in the NEW YORK TIMES, FRIDAY, NOV 14, 2008:
\n” . . . before the auction … even began five works were withdrawn, including examples by such popular artists as JOHN CURRIN, RICHARD PRINCE and ANSELM KIEFER.”
\nas well – “as the evening progressed, the results proved dreary, with about 40% of the art unsold and those works that did sell going for a fraction of their estimates. The sales totalled just $9.6 million, less than half of the (total) low estimate of $23 million.”
\nnote: “Final prices include the commission to Phillips: 25 percent of the first $50,000, 20 percent of the next $50,000 to $1 million, and 12 percent of the rest. Estimates do not reflect commissions.”<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"auction](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/photos\/auction_2008___TERRENCE_KOH.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nThe Road to the Winterland of My Discontent, I Know Not Where I Lead<\/em>, 2007
\nBronze with black patina, wax and oil in 12 parts. 4 x 6 x 16 in. each.
\nThis work is from an edition of one plus one artist’s proof and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.<\/p>\n
\nSOLD FOR: $122,000<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"auction](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/photos\/auction_2008__1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nUntitled (Tire Planter)<\/em>, 1999
\nRubber tire and paint. 13 x 26 x 26 in.<\/p>\n
\nNO SALE<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"auction](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/photos\/auction_2008__4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nSaulenweilige<\/em>, 2004
\nColor coupler print Diasec mounted. 19-1\/2 x 57-3\/4 in.
\nSigned, titled and dated and marked as unique on the reverse.<\/p>\n
\nNO SALE<\/strong> <\/p>\n![\"auction](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/photos\/auction_2008___John_Currin.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nStanding Nude<\/em>, 1993
\nOil on canvas. 48 x 36 in. Signed and dated on the overlap.<\/p>\n
\nNO SALE<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"auction](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/photos\/auction_2008___5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nUntitled # 212<\/em>, 1989
\nColor photograph in artit’s wooden frame. 41-1\/4 x 32-1\/4 in.
\nSigned and dated and numbered of six on the reverse.<\/p>\n
\nNO SALE<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"auction](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/photos\/auction_2008___7.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nCrated Room # 4<\/em>, 2006
\nFiberglass, oil paint, metal, adhesive labels & wood with electrical lights.
\n78-5\/8 x78-5\/8 x 46 in.
\nDated 2006 on interior frame.<\/p>\n
\nNO SALE<\/strong><\/p>\n
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