February 17 at the Museum of Art Multmedia Ostozhenka passed Roll auction of contemporary art organized by the gallery "LitKabinet." Formally, the second in a row, but we can say that the first one. Given that the last pilot was desperately

On Sunday, February 17, at the Museum of Art Multmedia Ostozhenka passed Roll auction of contemporary art organized by the gallery "LitKabinet." Formally, the second in a row, but we can say that the first one. Given that the last pilot was desperate.

this time much has been done to the mind: the best day, the right place and the original presentation. For the first time in my memory that the auction is not preceded by a struggle for the attention of the machine, and performance art. Half an hour before the auction began just four performances. The famous Elena Kovylina showed "Caryatids". A further four were parallel story lines crisscrossing myths with modern parables. In particular, in the third "frame" a performance she is laid out on a simulator - a treadmill - on the background of the screen on which continuously running tape products at the supermarket checkout. Consumption and the price paid, the eternal running, Sisyphean task. It turned easily, surprisingly, funny. In Facebook Status Updates flew, people thought, and half an hour passed quickly.

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By the start of the auction hall full of people under 80. For comparison, the local antique auction in the hall going to usually 20-30 people. Well, there is an interest. But high expectations in this regard should not be. It is noticed that for auctions that are held in the first or second time, the number of participants - this crafty value: public comes a lot, but really decided to buy one. We've seen this in the case of, say, the first auction of the "Russian auction house." And the eyes in this sense is stoned: no matter how much care who. The room was in Ostozhenka many artists, their friends, young people - in short, no buyers at all, but rather a support group. There were collectors, but not many. And as usual, for the first time came more to explore.

Bidding lasted a little more than a half hour. A total of 193 lots offered, including three shot.

most expensive lot of the album trades «Belly of Paris" , including 15 lithographs 1977. Gave him the starting price - 240 rubles. Sheets of this album often at auction, a price for them more or less normal. By the way, almost all of it was bought by the launch. A dispute arose, except that with the "Venice of Spades" - a lithograph Shemyakin 1981 (lot 188). When starting at 34 thousand she went for 45,000. And the most accessible on the auction lots were 133 and 134 - a pair of images with the gymnasts Trusovo Mary for 9000 rubles apiece. The auction was held without a "hinged" committee, so the buyer pays only "hammer price».

• Mikhail Shemyakin Belly of Paris
  15 lithographs
  Result: 240 000 rubles
  LitKabinet. March 17, 2013. Lot 183

All the hall was sold 17 lots. Most purchases were made extremely pragmatic. So, on my left sat a buyer who buys and Shishkin, and other auctions. Nice to look at: a man came with the intended purpose and coolly took some of the most interesting things to come right prices. In particular, I bought good drawings in the range of 50-72 thousand. Dot and logical.

On the other hand, not all defied logic. So, good thing Valery Koshlyakov for a pretty good price for some reason did not find a buyer. Sculptural "mobius» Koleychuk for a little money, too, was unsold as strong painting Igor Makarevich . Did not cause a good fight, "Heavenly Kremlin» Sergei Anufriev . How to explain - I do not know. Collectors of contemporary art are too conservative in choosing the place of purchase? Or just know where you can buy it cheaper? Or prefer to put the situation into overtime and buy within postauktsionnyh sales? Questions, questions and more time.

What we liked?

Organizational technicality. Pre-auction exhibition itself Ostozhenka was not, so the organizers have gone a risky move: not limited to showing a photo on the screen, and make all the items in the hall alive. Despite all the inconveniences and risks of confusion. Only to viewers who failed to see the items in the gallery, can get an idea of ​​the quality of painting and size. Yes, other auctions are also endure lots in the hall, but not all things - big things tend to remain on the walls or do-overs. To play it safe and not to create a commotion. But in "LitKabinete" everything was fine. Aides worked smoothly, hitches were rare. And more fun. For example, the sequence of mixed output of two abstractions Victor Pushkin. But it turned out differently, and could not be. The paintings were a series of "Comedy of Errors».

• works endure the hall
  Photo by Vladimir Bogdanov, AI

clarity of reference. Auction - it is also a formal procedure. Need to declare the lot to fix the result. In this case, keep the pace and not interfere with the participants. This is also out. Led the way, our Babulin Constantine. It turns out that here I am the person interested: praises - consider for flattery. But definitely I will say that the auctioneer did not interfere. And I have something to compare.

Photo by Vladimir Bogdanov, AI

What could be improved? I understand that the reason for this topic - this one, and go and try to do. However there are some suggestions:

Balance catalog. Yes, he was much stronger than the last time. But in this time of 200 lots strong stuff and famous names side by side with the average work of little-known artists. And not the least attractive prices. It interferes, as people become accustomed to the fact that the auction takes breeding work. One could easily "squeeze" directory, leaving it 100 selected items. In addition, there is no sense to put in the directory row 7.5 works of one artist: there is a risk that not sold will go to spoil the mood of a string of buyers.

Enter string affordable art (affordable art) - useful technique to teach a new audience to buy. I do know that the auction was attended by people who are prepared to spend 10-20 thousand that just like it. But not 30 and not 50. And so consumers also need to address the proposal. Let the money for this auction is not earned, but the audience is expanding.

appoint an attractive price for the buyer, not the ones that dictate the artists. For those who have not previously been public sale, it would be more modest starting price. The aim is, ultimately, to sell, not entertain feelings of the authors. But there is a major catch: as a real price to collect things for the catalog of artists? Maybe then not with artists, and more compliant with the owners? It is not clear how, but do something about it should be.

«hedging" sales. The thing is that before the auction to distribute, who was buying "by the order." In private collectors do not hide the fact that under certain conditions, would be willing to insure "their" artists. For the first auction to negotiate a point "pre-sale". Other techniques are also well known - absentee bids or buy things, not to produce not sold. And frankly, this practice is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when raised new and complex topic. No one throws a stone.

How to evaluate the results? Noticeable positive trend, although commercial success is still far. Among the important results of the auction - check destruction of numerous myths and illusions unproductive. In particular, we have in our long discussed the lack of competitive forms of sales as the main problem of the market of contemporary art (traditional and contemporary). Many believe that as soon as specializing in contemporary art auctions, all will be sold for big money. And here there is a particular practice - a criterion of truth. Why not take in a fight? Not really matter whether the price?

questions - a lot. While clearly only one. Formation of the public market of contemporary art and culture auction in this segment - this is the way, not predictable nor distance, nor the relief. Auction market timers are not at risk, and remember that the road to feed nobody promised. And the fact that for the first time in many years the Russian market appeared daredevils who undertook to sell contemporary art in itself admirable. In the Russia of 2013 was unexpectedly found that "LitKabinet" - the first and only auction today, which specializes in contemporary. And as a fan of contemporary Russian art and wish him well for further progress.

for bids watched Vladimir Bogdanov, AI