September 6 in London were trading pieces of contemporary art and street art by the auction house Phillips de Pury

Street art (street art) is gaining popularity. The government, of course, continue to hate «vandals», «spoil» his provocative paintings and collages city walls. But they love big museums and galleries (including the Tate Modern), as well as auction houses. September 6 in London were the most important at this time bidding works «street artists», organized by Phillips de Pury & Co. At the auction Contemporary and Urban Art was represented not only a street-art, but also works by renowned contemporary artists and designers. Trades in which 454 lots were put up, had about 850 thousand dollars.

Who are the street artists? They are mostly young men: the majority of women and the elderly, such work is not under force. After all, the creator of street art often have to paint the city walls at night, often at high altitude, but still hiding from the police. They do not like to reveal their faces and real names - the fans and opponents know these artists on the «street» nicknames: Banksy, Blek le Rat, Judith Supine, KAWS, etc. Most artists street art politically active. The growing popularity of «street art» coincided with a general hysteria over Barack Obama (Barack Obama), and this is no accident: the creators of street art created « visual component »Campaign black U.S. presidential candidate. Remember the famous posters HOPE and PROGRESS, which makes the star street art Feira Shepard (Shepard Fairey). Many people believe that street art - the same as the graffiti, although it does not. Graffiti is based primarily on the text, and street art - in the image. «Reiter» (the creators of graffiti), often using aerosol paint, as the creators of street art work from the template. In addition, graffiti has always been associated with hip-hop culture and street art is much more extensive association.

Top-Phillips have been lots of work Faile and Banksy. The latter, no doubt, is at the moment, the main star of street art: his strange drawings and collages are decorated with many major cities worldwide. Despite the rabid popularity of artist-partisan, he is not seeking to become a pop star, and insisted on anonymity. This summer, the British tabloid Mail on Sunday reported that the identity of Banksy seems to be installed. They say that the artist's name is actually Robin Ganninhem (Robert Gunningham), his 34 and from Bristol. Although it is or not, nobody knows. For Phillips it print «Rat-radar» left over 11 thousand pounds, significantly higher than estimeyt (4-6 thousand). Another print, «Bomb Central England», has 1.5 thousand pounds. The original of this print is the most expensive paintings: in February last year at Sotheby's auction, he went for 102 thousand pounds. However, not all of the Banksy managed to sell: one of the most «promising» lots Phillips was the product of «rat umbrella», previously estimated by specialists in the 35-45 thousand pounds, but willing to buy it was not found.

With regard to the New York collective Faile, at the auction, they were real stars: the main success was the work of «Reserved love», sold for 27 thousand pounds (at estimeyte 15-25 thousand). Faile - present «master kollazhnogo genre». In their work, they connect the pictures, taken from the comic and romantic novels. Arts Faile close to the pop-Art. In creating their works of art inspired by the artists Robert Rauschenberg (Robert Rauschenberg), Roy Lichtenstein (Roy Lichtenstein), Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol).

Another outstanding kollazhist, whose works were exhibited at the Phillips - 29-year-old New York artist Judith Supine, In his nicknames as a name and maiden surname of his mother. He was famous for its «psychedelic» collages, as well as his provocative tricks: one, he put one of his creations (more than 15 meters!), Under the Manhattan Bridge. His graceful composition without a name was sold at auction for 4 345 pounds.

As mentioned above, on September 6, Phillips sold not only to street art. There could be bought, for example, prints of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami (Takashi Murakami) and member of his art collective Kaikai Kiki Silence Aosima (Chiho Aoshima). In addition, there selling designer toys, utensils and furniture. Main «furniture» chairs were lots Rover Israeli designer Ron Arad (Ron Arad). Creation of Arad called «functional sculpture» and shows at exhibitions in major museums around the world.

The next auction of street art Phillips de Pury & Co. will be held on 25 October 2008 New York.

Julia Maksimova

Sources: artobserved.com , designweek.co.uk , theartcollectors.com , phillipsdepury.com , phillipsartexpert.com , artinvestment.ru