Sotheby’s, the Opéra national de Paris and AROP present: Auction for Action, Bid for Creation
Auction for Action, Bid for Creation!
(Let’s support the Opera, let’s bid for creation!)
First Auction for the benefit of the Paris Opera
This exceptional sale, to support the creation of new projects to benefit young people, will take place on 30th January at the Palais Garnierand online from 23rd to 31st January.
The sale on 30th January at the Palais Garnier will be hosted by Vincent Dedienne
“We are very pleased to organize our very first auction, which will contribute to the financing of the Opera’s projects in favour of creation and access for young generations to music and dance,so that the Paris Opera is more than ever the Opera of all”
Alexander Neef, Director General of the Paris Opera
“The Paris Opera plays a major role in contemporary creation in France and internationally. We are honored to resonate the values of the Paris Opera’s commitment through this unprecedented sale.” Mario Tavella, President Sotheby’s France and Chairman Sotheby’s Europe
Paris, 23 January 2023 | The Paris Opera and AROP, Association pour le Rayonnement de l’Opéra national de Paris, are pleased to partner with Sotheby’s for an exceptional auction entitled “Auction for Action, Bid for Creation! ” / “Let’s support the Opera, Bid for creation”, which will be held on Monday 30th January 2023 at the Palais Garnier, and online, from 23rd to 31st January 2023. The proceeds of this sale will make it possible to continue and develop the projects of the Opera for the benefit of the younger generations, including through previews for young people, offers for families, and artistic and cultural education programs.
This unprecedented event will be the first time in its history that the Paris Opera has organised a public sale in favour of its projects. Part of the “My Responsible and #MORE Committed Opera” initiative, it aims to strengthen the Paris Opera’s commitment to society through initiatives grouped around three fundamental points: to create, to open up and to preserve and transmit. This sale will offer a panorama of contemporary works of art, jewellery and watches, wines and spirits as well as unique and exclusive experiences, starting from 1000 €. All were generously donated by artists, collectors, galleries, and fashion houses, or by partners and patrons of the institution.
Divided into two sessions, the live sale will take place in the Grand Foyer of the Palais Garnier, on 30th January, where it will be hosted by Pierre Mothes, vice-president of Sotheby’s France, accompanied by Jean-Yves Kaced, director of Arop, and Vincent Dedienne, actor, author and director. The online sale will take place on Sotheby’s website from January 23 to 31, 2023.
Several lots are linked to the Paris Opera, its theatres and its artists, for example the chance to experience a day in the shoes of a Dancer Etoile (Hugo Marchand) and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director of the Opera. Other highlights include seven stage costumes created for renowned ballets and operas, such as Swan Lake or Carmen, with some even signed by leading names in fashion, first and foremost Christian Lacroix.
Contemporary Art
The sale offers works and photographs executed by the greatest artists of the international contemporary art scene, many of whom have a close link with the Paris Opera. Among them, Alpenglühen by Anselm Kiefer, donated by the artist with the support of the Gagosian and Thaddaeus Ropac galleries, which will be one of the most anticipated lots of the sale (lot 23 – Estimate on request). In 2009, Anselm Kiefer created the installation-show Am Anfang, for the 20th anniversary of the Opéra Bastille.
A silver print by Hiroshi Sugimoto, from the artist’s collection, depicts the interior of the Palais Garnier. Executed in 2019, this work is number 6 of an edition of 25 copies. The Japanese photographer, a major player in contemporary photography, created At the Hawk’s Well (2019) for the Paris Opera Ballet, in which he was responsible for the set design, staging and choreography (lot 1 – Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 €). Sophie Calle offers a unique recital for two people at the Palais Garnier, while Tino Sehgal will create a personalized experience through interviews with the collector.
Jewellery
Great luxury houses that share the Paris Opera’s commitment values have partnered with the institution for this remarkable event. La Maison Chaumet offers a sublime necklace of cultured pearls and diamonds, “Joséphine Aigrette Impériale” (lot 7 – Estimate on request). Adorned with Akoya cultured pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds, this centerpiece of high jewellery collections is named after Empress Josephine, patroness of the arts and muse of the maison. Other desirable jewels in this sale include a fascinating Kaleidoscope ring, offered by De Beers (lot 14 – Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 €) and an Eternal Gold necklace, entrusted by Maison Prada. This ras-du-neck retains a heart-shaped pendant, universal symbol of love, with bold lines inspired by Pop Art, which the buyer can engrave with their initials in diamond pavement (lot 22 – Estimate on request).
Rolex has donated a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, the brand’s most iconic model. Known as the Watch of the Paris Opera, this new piece, dating from 2022, features a white lacquered dial with azure counter rings and a black ceramic bezel (lot 32 – Estimate: €15,000 – €30,000). For wine and spirits lovers, the Baron Philippe de Rothschild company has donated a jeroboam (5 liters) of Château Mouton Rothschild of the 2000 vintage, a legendary wine coming directly from the cellars of the property. In addition to this exceptional bottle, the successful bidder will be invited for a day in Pauillac and Bordeaux, to discover Château Mouton Rothschild and the Bordeaux Opera (lot 5 – Estimate on request).
The Camus Cognac House has entrusted a unique blend of three Cognacs, inserted in a sculpture created by the Fontes de Mars, and the opportunity to stay in one of the private castles of the Camus family, where a visit of the distillery, the vineyards and the historic house will be organized (lot 9 – Estimate: 15,000 – 24,000€).
Exclusive Experiences
Both sales will be punctuated by unique and exclusive experiences offered by the Paris Opera, Chanel and Weston. The winning bidder will be able to experience an unforgettable day with a star, shadowing Hugo Marchand, Étoile dancer of the Ballet of the Opéra national de Paris, from the morning dance class to backstage and the show, before receiving a pair of signed dance slippers (lot 8 – Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 €). Another unforgettable Opera experience includes a day with a conductor. For one day, the buyer will be able to share the work and passion for music with one of the greatest conductors of our time, Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director of the Paris Opera (lot 33 – Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 €).
Patrons and partners of the Paris Opera also invite those taking part in the auction to experience exceptional moments, such as the journey to the heart of Haute Couture offered by the House of Chanel, in the footsteps of its illustrious creator. The experience opens the doors of the House, Gabrielle Chanel’s mythical apartment at 31, rue Cambon, and to a place at the Fall-Winter 2023/2024 show. This lot will also offer the unique opportunity to receive a customized Haute Couture jacket, as well as a lunch in the Private Salons of the rue Cambon, followed by an exceptional discovery of the collection, at tea time (lot 3 – Estimate on request).
Stage costumes of the Paris Opera
The online sale presents a selection of costumes, including exceptional tutus -the quintessential stage costume of classical ballet- such as this tutu created by Christian Lacroix. In 2000, the Paris Opera called on the eye of the couturier to enter the repertoire of George Balanchine’s ballet Jewels. Inspired by the jewellery stores of Fifth Avenue in New York, this ballet celebrates the great schools of dance: the French school, the Russian school, and American musicals. This model was worn by the dancer Agnès Letestu (lot 102 – Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 €).
A classical ballet par excellence, Swan Lake is also represented by two costumes created by Tomio Mohri in 1992: the Black Swan tutu worn by the Elisabeth Maurin (lot 122 – Estimate: €1,500 – €2,000) and a long-sleeved man’s doublet worn by Charles Jude (lot 131 – Estimate €1,500 – €2,000). Finally, a tutu designed by the artist Leonor Fini for the ballet Le Palais de Cristal by George Balanchine, and worn by the dancer Monique Loudières in 1994 (lot 138 – Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 €)., The ballet was created for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1947, s Symphony in C by Georges Bizet.
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* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
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