NEW YORK—Tomorrow evening, Phillips de Pury will auction 37 lots in its Contemporary sale, beginning with the Maybach luxury car used in the video for “Otis,” the 2011 song by Jay-Z and Kanye West. At the beginning of the video, which samples an Otis Redding, the artists deconstruct the car and the “customized” version sans doors plays a pivotal role throughout the rest of video directed by Spike Jonze. Partial proceeds from the sale of the Maybach will benefit Save the Children.
The auction also features a pair of neon figures by British artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster that stand more than nine feet tall and are adorned with vulgar sayings. Two photographs by Cindy Sherman—one from her Clown series, the other exploring color and shadows—are also being offered. Lot 23 is a 1981 skull drawing by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Works by well-knowns such as Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Robert Mangrove, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and a Damien Hirst spot painting, are also included in the March 8 sale.
All photos by Arts Observer
Above, Installation view from left, “Double Circle #1 (Red, Brown, White, Grey, Partial Eclipse),” 2008 (acrylic and gouache on canvas) by Garth Weiser; “Untitled (Go/Stay),” 2006-2007 (two chromogenic prints, in artist’s frames) by Barbara Kruger, number six from an edition of 10; “Untitled,” 1987 (acrylic on canvas) by Jack Goldstein. In foreground, “Floating Sinking Shell 2,” 2004 (plaster and shell) by Gabriel Orozco. Top of page, from left, “Puny Undernourished Kid” and “Girlfriend From Hell,” 2004 (82 multicolored neon sections, transformers) by Tim Noble and Sue Webster, number three from an edition of three plus two artist’s proofs.
“Untitled (Go/Stay),” 2006-2007 (two chromogenic prints, in artist’s frames) by Barbara Kruger, number six from an edition of 10.
“Untitled (Skull),” 1981 (chalk on black paper) by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Detail of “Brushstroke Still Life with Lamp,” 1997 (screenprint, with hand-painted Magna on honeycomb-core aluminum panel, in a white wood artist’s frame) by Roy Lichtenstein, printer proof number two from an edition of 24 plus eight artist’s proofs, and three printer proofs.
“Otis Maybach,” 2004 (Maybach 57 customized for the video for the 2011 Grammy Award-winning Jay-Z and Kanye West song “Otis,” directed by Spike Jonze.
Installation view, from left, “Untitled,” 2005 (acrylic and PVC foil on canvas, in Plexiglas box) by Anselm Reyle; Eye Love SUPERFLAT,” 2004 (acrylic on canvas laid on panel) by Takashi Murakami; “Double Circle #1 (Red, Brown, White, Grey, Partial Eclipse),” 2008 (acrylic and gouache on canvas) by Garth Weiser
Detail of “Bomber Harris,” 2008 (acrylic and chewing gum on canvas) by Adam McEwen.
Installation view, from left, “Untitled #426,” 2004 (color photograph) by Cindy Sherman, number five from an edition of six; and “Coconut Lamp” by Guyton/Walker.
“Coconut Lamp,” 2005 (nine coconuts, electrical wiring, light bulbs, and four paint cans with digital inkjet prints) by Wade Guyton and Kelley Walker of Guyton/Walker.
“Study for Red Ellipse Green Ellipse,” 1987 (acrylic and pencil on canvas) by Robert Mangold.