Half Sales Gagosian Gallery - the world leader in the exhibition sector - accounted for buyers from Russia and other republics of the former Soviet Union. This was reported during his visit to Moscow, Director of the London gallery Gagosyana Victoria Gelfand (Victoria Gelfand). In an interview, she also told that four years ago, buyers from Russia almost did not exist, but their number has increased dramatically year and a half ago. Recall that September 17, Larry Gagosyan opened at the former confectionery factory of «Red October» near the Kremlin exhibition For what you are about to receive , consisting of 70 works.

Russia, the second largest oil exporter in the world. According to Forbes, the number of billionaires in the country jumped from 36 in 2004 to 110 in 2008-m. Representatives of this new class of very wealthy people do not spare money to buy works of art and luxury.

According to Gelfand, who heads the Russian line of Gagosian Gallery, the bulk of sales - product of postwar and contemporary art. «Do customers a level of several residences, and basically they are" live "in the aircraft, as doing business in different parts of the world».

Exhibition For what you are about to receive, which is now being held in Moscow and will last until October 25 - is the second account, which holds Gagosian Gallery in Moscow. Representatives of the gallery told that during the first days of the exhibition was sold «about thirteen» works whose value ranges from 25 thousand to 2 million dollars.

The exhibition in the «Red October» works by Alberto Giacometti (Alberto Giacometti), Willem de Kuninga (Willem de Kooning), Roy Lichtenstein (Roy Lichtenstein) and Pablo Picasso (Pablo Picasso). Visitors For what you are about to receive may also see have not previously exhibited works by such artists as Anish Kapoor (Anish Kapoor), Jeff Koons (Jeff Koons), Ed Rusha (Ed Ruscha), Richard Serra (Richard Serra) and Sai Tvombli ( Cy Twombly). As reported by Gelfand, to sell 50 of the 70 exhibited works.

«Today we can observe a revolutionary upheaval in the art market - said Gelfand. - We are people who never bought the works of contemporary Western art, and get something for themselves».

According to Gelfand, the reconstruction of 25 000 square meters on the third floor of «Red October» Gagosyan spent about one million dollars. Works for the exhibition were provided by artists and collectors.

«The cultural heritage of Russia in the field of literature, music, fine art is extremely high - said Gelfand. - It is not surprising that the Russian quickly learn. No matter what they do - buy a yacht, works of art, or travel - they know how to enjoy life ».

The last two years Russian often bought the work of Jeff Koons, Richard Prince (Richard Prince), Demiena Hurst (Damien Hirst), Takashi Murakami (Takashi Murakami) and Sesili Brown (Cecily Brown).

works such as abstract expressionism and pop art, buying less, but they often outstripped the value of works of the artists listed above. As reported by Gelfand, «only one work Rothko, Warhol de Kuninga or may be sold for a lot of money ... People are looking for, where to invest money and how to get pleasure from it. Art allows you to achieve both. We often see that even the best stocks can be devalued, but if you buy a great picture of the great artist, she never loses in the price ».

Larry Gagosyan no plans to open a permanent branch office in Russia, the exhibition will remain until the time. «We have come to the conclusion that a flexible schedule of exhibitions, which we have now, is very suited to us», - said Gelfand.

Opening of the exhibition For what you are about to receive on 17 September was held the next day after the Dasha Zhukova and billionaire Roman Abramovich, opened a Center for Contemporary Culture «garage». The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to promote contemporary art and culture in Russia.

Chief Coordinator «garage» is Molly Dent-Broklherst (Molli Dent-Brocklehurst) - former director of Gagosian Gallery in London.

«The relationship between our organization and the Center of Contemporary Culture" garage "are based on the principle of mutual friendship and respect, - said Gelfand. - We plan to work with CSK" garage "as well as with other museums, we will provide support to artists in the organization of exhibitions: Search funding to ensure the safety of works from other collections, to engage in logistics ».

Source: bloomberg.com