PARIS.- On May 5th, Artcurial will host an auction dedicated to Urban Art, auctioning off the works of the greatest names in graffiti and street art. Among them, the tireless invader with Vienna, one of the largest mosaics ever up for auction on the art market, measuring over 2 m in height. Older graffiti will be represented by Dondi White, Rammelzee, Lee Quinones and A-One. The new urban scene will be particularly illustrated by young Portuguese artist Vhils with a set presenting all the materials with which he works (polystyrene, wood, metal...).

In closing, a private urban collection entitled Don’t believe the hype, a nod to American hip-hop giant Public Enemy will be dispersed on Sunday 5th May. Comprising 127 lots, it will present works by Kaws, including one of his first Companions, vinyl characters, Supreme objects or canvases by street artists.

An Invader mosaic measuring over 2 meters in height
Three years after an Alias PA_1030 measuring over a meter-high set a world record reaching €251,000 including fees, this year Artcurial presents an even bigger new ceramic tile Invader piece. Representing a black Space Invader on a blue background, the piece measures 2.36 meters in height and 1.65 meters wide. Entitled Vienna, it was created in 2008 for the Street Art Passage Vienna, inaugurated the same year in Vienna (estimate: €300,000 - 400,000).

Located in the museum district of the Austrian capital, the Street Art Passage Vienna is a tunnel informally exhibiting pieces in public spaces. It contrasts with the silent white-walled galleries located in the street corner. The work of French artist Invader constitutes one of the key parts of the passage, enlivening the gray walls with his blue and black Invader tiles, creating a vertiginous effect to passers-by.

Historic graffiti and new urban scenes
A chapter of the auction will be devoted to historical graffiti from the 1980’s with a pencil drawing by American artist Dondi White, estimate €20,000 - 30,000, an aerosol and marker on cardboard, And when the bell tolls Sirpiereule strikes, created in 1982 by Rammelzee (estimate: €45,000-55,000) or an acrylic and aerosol paint on wood by American graffiti artist A-One (estimate: €15,000-20,000).

The emerging urban scene will be represented by the ever-present figure of Vhils. Marked by the ancient politico-utopian frescoes of the latter part of the 1970’s and the advertising posters plastered on the walls of Lisbon, the Portuguese street artist made his calling card of this art form. Unlike most of the urban artists who stick and post, Vhils removes materials to reveal urban life scenes and faces. Decomposition, destruction and the deconstruction are at the heart of his creative process.

Polystyrene, wood, metal: Artcurial presents a set of works by the artist illustrating all the support with which he works. Among them, Diorama 9, a polystyrene face cut with hot wire (estimate: €30,000-40,000), Delphic, created from posters collected in the street (estimate: €30,000-50,000) or Desintegration series 2, an old wood door hand-carved by the artist (estimate: €25,000- 35,000).

Don’t believe the hype, a private collection
A private urban collection will also be dispersed. It is entitled Don’t believe the hype, named after the 1988 hit by US hip hop group Public Enemy, echoing the C.R.E.A.M. (Cash rules everything around me) auction organized by Artcurial a year ago, paying tribute to street culture and the most emblematic brand of the movement, Supreme, as well as the artists of the same generation.

The Don’t believe the hype set is comprised of 127 lots and includes several Kaws pieces, including one of his first 4 foot Companion (Grey), created in 2007. Measuring 1.28 meters in height, it is one of the rare copies signed by the artist (estimate: €120 ,000- 150,000). The collection will also present vinyl characters, Supreme objects and paintings.

A Porsche painted by speedy Graphito for a charitable cause
As part of a national campaign Eradicating pediatric cancer in the 21st Century, Artcurial will auction off an artistic and mechanical piece: an exceptional Porsche 996 GT3 Phase 2 painted by emblematic street artist Speedy Graphito. This art car embodies the messages of hope that heralded by the Foundation Gustave Roussy through a joyful Pop piece. With a starting price set at € 80,000, it will be sold without fee, the entirety of the auction proceeds donated to the fight against pediatric cancer.