Art/Auctions: Contemporary Art at Philips de Pury May 13, 2010

Contemporary Art

Philips de Pury

7 PM, May 13, 2010, Part 1 (Lots 100-152)
10 AM, May 14, 2010 (Lots 234-566)
Sale NY010010

Lot 106, "The Grass Munchers," by Urs Fischer, cast aluminum, pigments and wax, 22 by 24 3/8 by 17 3/8 inches, 2007

By Carter B. Horsley

The cover lot of the catalogue for this May 13, 2010 auction of Contemporary Art at Phillips de Pury is Lot 106, a striking sculpture by Urs Fischer (b.1973) entitled "The Grass Munchers." It measures 22 by 24 7/8 by 17 3/8 inches and was made in 2007 of cast aluminum, pigments and wax. It is from an edition of two plus one artist's proof. It has an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000. It sold for $902,500 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.

The huge auction had many fine works but took its toll on exhausted connoisseurs after a week of thousands of artworks to view.

The Contemporary Art Part II auction at Philips de Pury totaled $7,494,625 selling 66 percent by lot and the overall sales results for it and Part I and the Halsey Minor Collection was $45,674,125, selling 69 percent by lot. "We are thrilled with the results which demonstrated the market is as strong as it ever has been," declared Simon de Pury, the chairman of Philips de Pury.

Lot 109, "Sublimate II," by Antony Gormley, bright mile welded steel blocks, 76 3/8 by 20 7/8 by 11 3/4 inches, 2004

Less scary than Terminator 2 and more high-tech than Lego, Lot 109 is a handsome sculpture of a man made of bright mild welded steel blocks by Antony Gormley (b. 1950). It measures 76 3/8 by 20 7/8 by 11 3/4 inches and was created in 2004. The lot has an estimate of $350,000 to $450,000. It sold for $554,500.

Lot 116, "Rubber," by Jean-Michel Basquiat, acrylic, oil and Xerox collage on wooden door, 82 by 33 5/8 inches, 1984

Lot 116 is a good work by Jean-Michel Basquiat entitled "Rubber." It is an acrylic, oil and Xerox collage on a wooden door that measures 82 by 33 5/8 inches. It was created in 1984. It has an estimate of $1,500,000 to $2,500,000. It sold for $1,762,500.

Lot 121, "Pull down," by Steven Parrino, acrylic on canvas, 72 by 48 inches, 1987

Lot 121 is a large and excellent work by Steven Parrino (1958-2005) entitled "Pull down." An acrylic on canvas, it measures 72 by 48 inches and was created in 1987. It has an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. It sold for $506,500.

Lot 421, "O2," by Zilvinas Kempinas, magnetic cassette tape and fan, installation dimensions variable, 2006

One of the simplest and most ingenious works in the auction is Lot 421, "O2," by Zilvinas Kempinas (b. 1969). It consists of a standing fan blowing at a wall and keeping a looped magnetic cassette tape levitated against it. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $25,000.

Lot 422, "Morning Rain," by Lothar Hempl, four colored stones, found umbrella, butterfly, metal wire, nails and screws, neoprene, string, fabric, fabric flowers and adhesive on metal rod, painted wooden doll with fabric, leather strips, cotton, synthetic hair and buttons on a painting wooden base, 67 1/4 by 40 by 33 inches, 2005

You know you've found love when you meet the gal in Lot 422, "Morning Rain," by Lothar Hempl (b. 1966). She's got a butterfly on her head and is carrying a collapsible umbrella in one hand and a feather duster in the other and looks like she'll conquer all geishas or Art Deco mannequins. She's got it! The work, which measures 67 1/4 by 40 by 33 inches and was created in 2005, has a modest estimate of $6,000 to $8,000. It sold for $8,250.

Lot 437, "Charlie Chaplin Pink," by Mr. Brainwash, spray and metallic paint, acrylic and paper collage on canvas, 84 1/2 by 72 inches

Rather than stack "brillo" boxes, it is quite conceivable that Charlie Chaplin in his best "Think Pink" mood might stack Madonnas, at least that what's Mr. Brainwash (b. 1966) suggests in his winsome work, "Charlie Chaplin Pink," Lot 437. The work measures 84 1/2 by 72 inches and is undated. It has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $122,500.

Lot 547, untitled, by Veronika Ponomareva, oil on canvas, 78 3/4 by 59 1/4 inches, circa 2005

Lot 547 is for home-sick New Yorkers who miss the ubiquitous fenciness of the city's countless fire escapes. it is an untitled and impressively large and very well painted oil on canvas by Veronika Ponomareva. It was painted circa 2005. It has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000. It sold for $6,000.

Lot 137, "Untitled," by Roy Lichtenstein, acrylic on canvas 16 by 19 5/8 inches, 1967

Lot 137 is a small but strong, untitled, acrylic on canvas by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997). It measures 16 by 19 5/8 inches and was painted in 1967. It has an estimate of $350,000 to $450,000. It sold for $422,500.

"Lot 141, "Offensive/Defensive," by Liza Lou, glass beads on aluminum panel, 72 by 36 inches, 2008

Lot 141 is a large work of glass beads on aluminum panel entitled "Offensive/Defensive" by Liza Lou (b . 1969). It measures 72 by 36 inches and was created in 2008.

The catalogue provides the following commentary:

"The vibrant colored beaded work is dramatically interrupted by areas of black which appear to be reminsicent of topographical gloabal maps allowing the work to demonstrate levels of abstraction. The carefully composed beading allows for the areas of black to physically lie on top of he colored beadwork seeping through the 'rug' like continuous mold growing on trees....Through Offenseive/Defensive the South African artist makes a socio-politial comment on religion at the present moment and the disruptive effects it holds. The time consuming, colorful design of the ancient rug on the present lot reveals a precise pattern to an artform that is ancient, rich and colorful in history. Slowly this remarkable traditonal art form begins to lose itself as time goes by filling what was the 'corlorful' to painted beads in black, 'all of this body of work is about break down and control...."

The lot has an estimate of $250,9000 to $350,000. It sold for $278,500.

One of the most beautiful works in the auction is Lot 108, "All I need is "One" More Chance," by Mark Bradford (b. 1961), a collage, acrylic paint and felt tippen on canvas. It measures 82 by 84 inches and was created in 2002. It has an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. It sold for $542,500.

Lot 133, "Redeployment," is a large oil on canvas by Mark Tansey (b. 1949) that was created in 1995 and measures 80 by 100 3/4 inches. It has an estimate of $1,500,000 to $2,500,000. It sold for $962,500.

Lot 234, "Bananarama," by Jim Lambie, record sleeves, silver foil, adhesive, duct tape and collaged photographs, 49 3/8 inches square, 2009

One of the most striing and beautiful works of art involving record sleeves is Lot 234, "Bananarama," by Jim Lambie (b. 1964) that is being sold to benefit disaster relief for the victims of the Samoan Tsunami. The work also is made of silver foil, adhesive, duct tape and collaged photographs and is 49 3/8 inches square. It was created in 2009. It has an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. It sold for $50,000.

Lot 240, "Untitled," by Anselm Reyle, silver PVC foil on canvas in Plexiglas box, 56 3/8 by 47 1/2 by 7 1/8 inches, 2007

Lot 240 is an untitled work that hopefully will inspire mothers in kitchens everywhere to take their aluminum foil and make very big artistic statements. The very striking and dazzling work is by Anselm Reyle (b. 1970) and it drapes silver PVC foil on canvas in a Plexigas box. The work measures 56 3/8 by 47 1/2 by 7 1/8 inches and was made in 2007. It has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. It sold for $96,100.

Lot 267, "Happy Head," by Damien Hirst, glass household paint on resin skull with metal hardware, 6 1/2 by 5 3/8 by 8 1/4 inches, 2007 from an edition of 20

Lot 267, "Happy Head," is a brightly painted object in the shape of a human skull by Damien Hirst (b. 1965). It was created in 2007 in an edition of 20 and measures 6 1/2 by 5 3/87 by 8 1/4 inches. It has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $68,500.

Lot 302, "Depose II," by Keith Sonnier, sailcloth, argon, neon, metal road and blower, 84 by 24 by 12 inches, 1997

Lot 302 is an artwork that is made in part of sailcloth but it does not look like it is very seaworthy but definitely rather high-tech. It is entitled "Depose II" and is by Keith Sonnier (b. 1941) and it is also made of argon, neon, metal rods and blower. It measures 84 by 24 by 12 inches and was made in 1997. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It failed to sell.

Lot 312, "4 Yellow Hearts," by Ross Bleckner, oil on canvas, 30 by 26 inches, 1995

Ross Bleckner (b. 1949) is a good artist who experiments widely in painting abstract objects and images and Lot 312 is one of his more effective works. It is called "4 Yellow Hearts" and is an oil on canvas that measures 30 by 26 inches. It was painted in 1995 and has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $40,000.

"Maquette for Sky Landscape" by Nevelson

Lot 333, "Maquette for sky landscape," left, by Louise Nevelson, painted steel, 30 1/4 by 26 1/2 by 15 inches, 1979, left; Lot 338, "Stella Maris XI," by James Brown, enamel and stain on canvas, 77 3/4 by 65 1/2 inches, 1985, right

Lot 33 is an extremely dynamic painted steel sculpture by Louise Nevelson (1899-1988). Entitled "Maquette for sky landscape," it was created in 1979 and measures 30 1/4 by 26 1/2 by 15 inches. It has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $62,500. It was displayed in the galleries adjacent to a large, very handsome and very appropriate enamel and stain on canvas, Lot 338, by James Brown (b. 1951). Entitled "Stella Maris XI," it measures 77 3/4 by 65 1/2 inches and was created in 1965. It has an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. It failed to sell.

One of the most beautiful works in the auction was a large C-print by James Welling (b. 1951) entitled "Torso 6." Created in 2008, it measures 45 7/8 by 34 1/4 inches and is from an edition of five and two artist's proofs. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $21,875.