NEW YORK, NY.- Christies New York announces First Open, an auction of Post-War and Contemporary Art to take place on March 10. The daring and innovative sale is robust with key works ranging from blue-chip artists such as Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg to standout auction newcomers, including Ion Birch and Michael Scoggins. First Open is geared toward both new and seasoned collectors, thus estimates for works of art in the auction range from the accessible to aspirational. Merce Cunninghams Diptych No 6, for instance, has an estimate of $1,500-$2,000, while at the top end, Untitled, a seminal work by Rudolf Stingel has an estimate of $300,000-$500,000. First Open is expected to generate upwards of $8 million with 316 lots.
The sale will be led for the first time by Sara Friedlander, who was named Head of First Open in January 2011. First Open is the perfect opportunity to begin collecting Post-War and Contemporary Art, while seasoned collectors can bid on formidable pieces that will continue to accrue in value, noted Friedlander, who has been with Christies in Post-War and Contemporary Art since 2006. We are seeing strength and continued value in works of art and are looking forward to kicking off the spring season with a spectacular sale.
The sale includes notable many works including Jean Dubuffets explosive L'Erratique, 1961 (estimate $300,000-500,000), which the artist painted upon his return to Paris, inspired by the color, vigor and creative frenzy of the City of Light; as well as Josef Albers Homage to the Square: Sudden Spring, 1956 (estimate: $250,000-350,000) from the estate of James Pearson Duffy. Other standouts include a group of works from The Cunningham Dance Foundation to benefit the organizations legacy plan. Pastoral (Runts), (estimate: $250,000-350,000) the 2007 work by Cunningham friend and collaborator Robert Rauschenberg, is a highlight from the Foundation. The collage is from the last series of collages by Rauschenberg before his death in 2008.
Additional highlights from Christies First Open Post-War and Contemporary Art sale include:
Rudolf Stingel
Untitled, 1996
Estimate: $300,000 500,000
Josef Albers
Homage to the Square: Sudden Spring, 1956
Estimate: $250,000 350,000
Ed Ruscha
Two Books , 2001
Estimate: $150,000 200,000
Thomas Struth
El Capitan (Yosemite National Park),
California, 1999
Estimate: $100,000 150,000
Robert Rauschenberg
Pastoral (Runts), 2007
Estimate: $250,000 350,000
Christopher Wool
Untitled, 2007
Estimate: $150,000 200,000
Andy Warhol
Self-Portrait, 1986
Estimate: $120,000 180,000
Sam Francis
Hello, 1970
Estimate: $5,000 7,000
Louise Lawler
Chandelier , 2007
Estimate: $15,000 20,000
Alighiero Boetti
Arazzi: Piegare e Spiegare (Fold and Unfold)
Estimate: $10,000 15,000
Auction:
First Open Thursday March 10, 2011 at 10 am
Christies 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Viewings: Christies Rockefeller Center Galleries
Saturday March 5 10:00am 5:00pm
Sunday March 6 1:00pm 5:00pm
Monday March 7 10:00am 5:00pm
Tuesday March 8 10:00am 5:00pm
Wednesday March 9 10:00am 2:00pm
*Estimates do not include buyer's premium