Immediately two occasions gave the news this spring, Christie's in Moscow. If opening a new office in the moss - it is an occasion to congratulate that AI with pleasure, and does, then the appointment of new Managing Director of Mission Chrisrtie's in Russia Matthew Stevenson - cause not only congratulations, but also to ask questions and talk about the prospects of Christie's in Russia & CIS which also are the responsibility of the Moscow office auction house.

name Matthew Stevenson is familiar to collectors of the system, which periodically bought at Christie's Impressionist and Modernist works. Indeed, until recently, Stephenson is led by the most prestigious evening auction. He still remains a key figure in the work of the international department of art impressionism and modernism, but now his main task - from Moscow to coordinate the work with buyers and lessors. Shortly after the appointment ARTinvestment.RU met with the new managing director of Christie's representative in Russia.

ARTinvestment.RU: Mr. Stevenson, we congratulate you on your new appointment. Let me just share with you one observation. In the segment of world art position Christie's and its main rival Sotheby's are broadly comparable. But the catalog of the Russian Trading difference is great: the variety of Christie's traditionally inferior sotbisovskomu. How is your auction house plans to rectify the situation on the Russian art?

Matthew Stephenson : In fact, the global auction market share of Christie's in 2009 amounted more than 56%. The house retains global leadership over the last decade. But my mission in Moscow is not so much to follow the growth in sales of works by Russian artists, how much to offer to collectors of Russian works of world art. Given that Russian interests primarily in Russian, we will try to attract the attention of buyers to the best examples of a segment of the old masters and impressionists, to the works of jewelry, furniture and all other areas on which our house is a world leader. The Moscow office will deal with just that. A Russian art will be offered on compact specialized trades. Lots there will be not much, but all things will be selective - only the best of what we can find.

AI: And what about Russian sales? For example, painting and graphics in the April catalog represent about 40 lots. Are there any plans for the development of Russian art?

MS : As you know, we are Russian sales three times a year: April, June and November. In April, the worst a collection of Faberge objects. On another occasion, perhaps on a larger scale will be presented to the section of paintings and graphics - depends on the collection, which will collect. It's also not forget that we offer many of the masterpieces of Russian art is not in the Russian trade, and within the international. For example, record work Natalia Goncharova , sold more than 6 million pounds, has found a buyer is bidding Impressionists and modernists. And this is not a rare example. In the year of about 200 objects within the orbit of Russian art, are not sold on the Russian bid, but on the other thematic auctions of Christie's. For example, a brooch with an emerald of Catherine the Great in 61 carat and is surrounded by diamonds (with estimeytom 1-1,5 million dollars) was exhibited at the April auction at a specialized auction of jewelry, rather than on the Russian bid, and went under the hammer for 1.65 million dollars.

AI: Christie's adheres to a conservative policy with regard to contemporary Russian art. While Sotheby's has spent even a full-scale Russian Post-War and Contemporary Art, your home continues enters into the directory schitanye lots, "on trial". Can we expect a change of attitude towards the Russian contemporary art?

MS : The policy of Christie's - to track promising directions and leave them only when the right moment. Several times we put a small set of contemporary Russian art, about 10 works. But the results once again confirm the correctness of a delaying strategy. While the Russian contemporary art did not become successful in the international bidding, as it deserves. And the experience of our competitors has shown that the Russian contemporary art is much inferior in terms of sales world contemporary art. But as the situation evolves, we plan to include the works of contemporary Russian art in the international bidding.

AI: How does the Moscow office will help the Russian-owned masterpieces display items for sale Christie's?

MS : First of all, help advice and the provision of clear instructions. Consult and explain the exact sequence of steps. The conclusion of the auction - is sometimes a long and complicated process. We will advise the owners how to sell the work abroad with the maximum benefit. Our task - in any case provide the owners a true picture of what is happening.

AI: Probably the owners now think: What if I could bring things you straight in the Moscow office? But in reality, it is now to change the technology to provide work to participate in the auction?

MS : The technology is the same as in any other country office Christie's. The owner is enough to send the image via email. And then there will be something to discuss: what kind of artist, what is its value in the international market and so on. Each case is considered by us individually to work out the right strategy for specific things.

AI: On the high-end auctions rare, but still there are times when something was wrong when selling attributed or doubts about the authenticity. It is known that the return of such works is very complicated procedure. Would it be possible in such cases, buyers go to Moscow, not in London?

M. S. : Christie's in advance, before bidding conducts all the necessary checks to make sure the origin of works offered for auction. Usually expert appointed under that department, which prepares bidding. In general, however, buying at Christie's, you can be much more confident in the quality of acquired things than in most other ways. The audits are conducted with great care. And one must remember that Christie's behind almost three hundred of experience, impeccable reputation, and the preparation of tenders, serving more than 500 experts. In addition, Christie's sold works given a 5-year warranty.

AI: What are the immediate plans in Russia? Are there any Pre-auction shows in Moscow?

M. S. : Yes, Pre-auction displays are planned. But the next is not until the autumn. Most likely, they will be held in October, to show the important lots in November, auction. Bringing will not all but only selected lots.

AI: Has the crisis in your Russian buyers?

M. S. : Even though sales last year declined, but from Russian buyers, we feel a strong demand on certain routes. And I foresee a speedy restoration of the pre-crisis demand. Also add that in 2009, we had about 110 new Russian-registered buyers.

Interview conducted Konstantin Babulin and Vladimir Bogdanov, AI