Already the first antiques auction auction house of the Russian showed record results. In such cases, the public interested in everything: who they are, how they work, the better? General Director of RAD answers questions ARTinvestment.RU

Andrey Stepanenko, CEO
OAO Russian auction house »

June 2, 2011 in St. Petersburg will be the second auction antiques and art objects of the Russian auction house. The structure of the new, but already at the first antique auction records were set for works by individual artists. In such cases, the public interested in everything: who they are, how they work, the better? The first question ARTinvestment.RU said Andrew Stepanenko, General Director of the Russian Auction House ».

ARTinvestment.RU: Who is the owner of" Russian auction house " other than Savings and Property Fund of St. Petersburg?

Andrey Stepanenko : The founders of the Russian auction house in equal shares are the Savings Bank of Russia Property Fund of Saint Petersburg and the company "Russian jeweler. In addition, 1 percent of shares belong to the Guild of Managers and Developers, which brings together 220 of the largest real estate development and investment companies from many Russian cities.

AI: RAD pre-auction exhibition is held in the Marble Palace, State Russian Museum. What is your relationship with the timing, you're just tenants or co broader?

A. : I dare to hope that we are for the timing not just another tenant, and a reliable partner, cooperation with which will last for many years on a reciprocal basis. This is our second exhibition in the halls of the Russian Museum (the first was held at the Engineers' Castle in December 2010). We are very pleased with how both exhibitions were held, plans to continue holding its Pre-auction displays in the walls of the timing. In addition, we have a long-term contract to provide services to the Russian Museum of research nature.

AI: Do the experts Otsmatrivayut timing of your auction lots for admission to trading?

A. : As for Russian art, timing is for us the most authoritative advisory structure. Yes, of course, all significant works of Russian artists who are considered for admission to the auction, we will show experts timing, what are the appropriate conclusions. If the experts are in any doubt about the work, we prefer to give it up.

AI: Who are the leading experts on the painting in the RAD? Public opinion experts glad to receive as a reason for the return?

A. : RAD tends not to allow the buyer to have doubts the authenticity of the work and he wanted her back. While such cases were not. We insure all possible ways, repeatedly checking things, consult with museum professionals, restorers, engineers. We listen to many opinions, but in the end make their conclusions. As mentioned above, if there is any doubt - we would prefer not to put the lot up for sale.

AI: Tell me more about things on the cover of the upcoming second auction. What is the expertise provided by Lot 42 - "Girls" by Boris Grigoriev?

A. : This is a very interesting job Boris Grigoriev . Its double-studied experts of the Russian Museum: the first time confirmed its authenticity, and a second time when compared with the original picture by Boris Grigoriev of the magazine "New Satyricon in 1915. According to experts, RM, basis for the work, put up for auction, served precisely this picture from a magazine.

As you know, recently, Boris Grigoriev was one of the most popular and purchased by Russian artists at the auctions worldwide. Prices Grigorieva grow sometimes almost indecent - in two and sometimes three times, exceeding the already not low estimeyty half a million dollars or more.

Coincidentally, both with our pre-auction display, in the Benois Wing is a great solo exhibition by Boris Grigoriev. You can see similar works in this series.

way, we will sell not only the work by Boris Grigoriev, but his book "Race", published a limited edition in Petrograd in 1918. The book came in a series of works, first shown at the exhibition by the artist miriskusnikov in 1917. In the 1920 book was reprinted abroad twice, but the most rare edition exactly as presented in our auction - Petrograd.

AI: What are the guarantees to buyers suggests Russia Auction house? And what kind of return policy?

A. : We have our rules on safeguards sufficiently stringent. We have a rich history of auctions. St Petersburg Property Fund sold 1,100 lots per annum (real estate, stocks, land). Of course, the company's lawyers are adept at hedging risks. And after working with troubled assets of the Savings Bank and the bankruptcy estate - even more so. Rules of conduct art auctions RAD will be corrected in the future. So far, unfortunately, we have not worked out the legislation in this area, so as a company we are forced to defend themselves. Like many other auctions, we adhere to the rules «caveat emptor» (from the Latin. "Caveat emptor") whereby the buyer, making sure that as a subject before making a purchase, then takes his own responsibility for their choices, but, as I have noted, due to a serious approach to the selection of lots, we still managed to avoid such situations. If they occur in the future, of course, we will try to resolve every dispute episode separately.

AI: Why deliverers beneficial to contact the Russian Auction House? What are your advantages over its competitors?

A. : Around the world art market is about equally divided between galleries and auction houses . They compete, but, nonetheless, exist in symbiosis. For the seller, subject to the benefits of the auction gallery, in my view, are obvious. This, in particular, financial conditions: we have a seller pays the auction fee of 10 percent of the "hammer price", while in the galleries of the commission may be up to 100 percent. Another advantage for the seller is open trades: he himself can be present in the room and see how much was sold to its subject matter. In addition, auctions, of course, greater reach an audience of potential buyers. With regard to competition from other auction houses, we just try to do everything better: to offer the best items, best to conduct screenings, provide the best PR-campaign and pre-sales activities. Otherwise, do not make sense to start this project. Our company has all necessary to achieve its goals: a strong founders and financial base, a professional team. We are a commercial organization, but do not set a short-term profit goals. We're talking about the need to form a legal framework to ensure that the art market has become transparent and open. But strategically, we believe that in future auctions is art, and they alone, will bring maximum profit to 90 percent of income RADA.

AI: What kind of infrastructure to work with the works Art has RAD (storage, a laboratory)?

A. : At the moment Russian auction house located in one building with its founder - Property Fund of St. Petersburg. We have, perhaps, only in St. Petersburg, a fully equipped modern auction room, seats up to 160 participants. We have a repository for art and objects of applied art, layout and equipment it was engaged in the same firm that serves the timing. Our pride is in the best studio in town for the filming of art, a similar technique has only THG.

We quickly grow and develop. In coming years, RAD is going to move to a separate building. Now comes the final stage of design, will soon begin construction work. There we have exactly be able to provide our dedicated customers and better infrastructure in the area. I believe this investment is more than justified.

AI: Does RAD plans to hold auctions in Moscow? And are there any plans to arrange Pre-auction displays in the capital?

A. : We have already opened a branch in Moscow, as well as in Nizhny Novgorod and Novosibirsk. While the main activity is the head office in St. Petersburg, but we will certainly pursue and predpokazy, and trades in the capital. Maybe next year.

AI: Are there plans to introduce RAD own educational programs?

A. : Plans and we have already taken the first steps in this direction.

Now Russia has been an increasing interest in collecting art and antiquities. People with spare cash and want to start collecting, but do not know how to begin, where to start. And our specialists will advise and help in the selection. Experience shows that trade in works of art requires the most versatile of knowledge: the history of world culture to economics, marketing, PR, law and information technology. And we can offer such services. Not be ruled out that soon we will be holding lectures for those wishing to.

To date, we organize exhibitions. Not so long ago under the auspices of an exhibition of the artist's RAD Alexander Benois de Stetto at Pleso in the festival "ArtMosfera Reach. " And we have successfully sold the work of the artist at auction.

now in the pre-auction show we are holding an exhibition of works Nicholas Tarkhova from a private collection. This is a great Russian artist during his lifetime priced, but unfortunately, after his death in 1930, unjustly forgotten.

Thus, we are trying to educate the taste of novice collectors show should look like private collections, learning the art of collecting.

Questions were asked by Vladimir Bogdanov, AI