March 29, 2012
Will Ragozzino
Today marks the launch of Christie’s Third Annual Green Auction: “Bid to Save the Earth.” The auction—open online through charitybuzz until April 19th—will benefit water-conservation projects at four prominent environmental nonprofits: Oceana, Conservation International, the Central Park Conservancy and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The worthy cause notwithstanding, there are plenty of reasons to bid: The lots include elite stays at five-star resorts in Thailand, Dubai and Anguilla; a private afternoon of shopping at Barney’s with Simon Doonan; courtside seats at the U.S. Open Tennis Championship; and VIP access to performances by James Taylor, Lady Antebellum and Alison Krauss. March 29–April 19; bidtosavetheearth.charitybuzz.com.
April 12, 2012
Matthew Ritchie, Terce, 2012. Courtesy of the artist and Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York / Paddle8
Long revered as the dominant cultural hub of the outer boroughs, the Brooklyn Academy of Music—or BAM, as it’s affectionately known—turns 150 this year. To celebrate, the company is collaborating with online art marketplace Paddle8 to present an online auction of over 100 pieces by notable artists, including photographs by Andy Warhol, a print from illustrator Maira Kalman and a new work by William Kentridge, whose films and drawings were the subject of a hugely popular retrospective at MoMA in 2010. All the proceeds will go to benefit BAM, and while the bidding is entirely digital, all of the works up for auction are installed in BAM’s lobby for the event’s two-week duration, alongside bidding stations. On April 22, BAM will host a free closing day celebration in the lobby, where guests can wander among the works, meet the artists and sip cocktails.
To showcase BAM’s distinguished history, Paddle8 has created exclusive editorial content to complement the online auction. There are rare materials from BAM’s Hamm Archives, including art prints, photographs and a video of the 1968 dance collaboration between Merce Cunningham, Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. “Benefit auctions are so common, and often they get decontextualized. You lose sight of what you’re trying to raise money for,” says Holly Greenfield, director of For Good, Paddle8’s nonprofit division. “This was our opportunity to help people engage in a more in-depth way, and to explore the amazing things BAM has been able to achieve in its 150 years.”
April 11–22, paddle8.com
April 20, 2012
Richard Serra
On Monday, Free Arts NYC hosts its 13th Annual Art Auction in partnership with online art marketplace Paddle 8. Free Arts NYC, which provides art and mentoring programs for the city's neediest children, has gathered an accomplished group of New York luminaries to serve on the event's host committee, including Sean Avery, Jenna Lyons, and Padma Lakshmi. This year's auction will be conducted by Alexander Gilkes, co-founder of Paddle8, at the Eyebeam Art + Technology Center in Chelsea. The evening will include both silent and live auctions featuring works from renowned artists like Richard Serra and Yoko Ono with prices ranging from $1000 to $25000—all proceeds will benefit Free Arts NYC. Tickets start at $200; freeartsnyc.org/benefit2012.
November 17, 2011
Courtesy Phillips de Pury & Company
Their brightly colored plastic bands have been perennial fashion accessories since the 1980s. But some folks have been taking their Swatch collections more seriously than others. Now, one such patron is sending her comprehensive holdings (i.e., every single style produced by the Swiss watchmaker from 1983 to 2002) to the auction block. The Swatch Blum Collection of 4,363 watches will be sold together at Phillips de Pury & Company next week at a special sale and event in Hong Kong. It is expected to fetch between $3.5 million and $6.2 million. It also marks Phillips’ first outing in the region.
The sale—which will include exceedingly rare prototypes and limited edition designs from Keith Haring and Kiki Picasso—is generating serious buzz. “Everyone has a ‘Swatch moment’—one that they had, one that they desired,” says Finn Dombernowsky, a London-based managing director of Phillips de Pury & Company. “When they first came out, they renewed the watch industry. It was groundbreaking technology, but it also made good design available at a price anyone could reach.”
The Blum Collection won’t be the only coveted lot to hit the block that night. In collaboration with the company itself, Phillips is offering serious Swatch fanatics a rare opportunity to design a Swatch of their very own. It will be produced exclusively for the buyer in a limited edition of 100 and is expected to go for $20,000 to $25,000. Nov. 24, viewing 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., auction at 9 p.m.; the Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance St., Hong Kong; phillipsdepury.com.
September 01, 2011
Champagne supernova. Courtesy of Moët et Chandon.
Ever since 2008, when Hong Kong eliminated its 40 percent sales tax on wine, the region has become home to some of the world's most important fine wine auctions. Demand for wine has soared, especially from within Mainland China's newly moneyed class. "When people are successful, they want to enjoy the fruits of their success," says Charles Curtis, head of wine in Asia at Christie's. "The Chinese have come to see fine wine as part of that." It's unsurprising, then, that Christie's now regularly reserves some of its most exclusive lots for its Far East auctions. Standout offerings at the house's September 3 and 4 Hong Kong sales include an exceedingly rare (not to mention highly drinkable) case of 1911 Moët et Chandon Champagne, heading to the auction block directly from the winery itself. The six bottles, which come packaged in a black leather Louis Vuitton case, are expected to sell for about $55,000. Starstruck imbibers, up your bid: The lot also includes lunch with Moët's fetching spokesperson, the one and only Scarlett Johansson. christies.com/departments/wine.
RSVP: Don't miss the Departures Asian art auction at Sotheby's, in New York, on September 13
