JULIO CHICO the Blog: Wright A Private Paris Collection

On June 24, 2010, Wright 20 brings a special sale of contemporary art and design to the auction block.

Drawn from a single private collection, formed by a Parisian real estate developer, the 100 lot sale of modern and contemporary masterpieces in art, decorative art, and design breaks new ground for Wright.

For the first time, Wright is selling a complete collection - from the rugs to prominent contemporary art. Michael Jefferson, Specialist in Design, notes the material was “Presented through a colleague and associate in Paris who has been working with the owner in Paris." He felt Wright, which is a small, independent and nimble auction house was the correct venue for the collection. Decidedly chic, the unique assemblage of goods lived together in a perfectly curated space.

These are designs, paintings, and sculptures that easily stand alone. But, they are also pieces that formed a full vision of a single owner. Wright, recognizing that, has presented the 100 lots as a conversation. In the catalogue, the pieces are shown in their original space, as well as individually. Each piece is celebrated and presented as comparison to mates that are their equal. This, according to Jefferson, levels the playing field.

Important to the nature of the sale are the small accent pieces. Many of the lighting and textile pieces are from anonymous designers. They do, however, capture a tone and fit the pedigree of the fine arts. Wright, which was established in 2000 and has specialized in big name contemporary design, takes this as an opportunity to showcase a unified aesthetic.

These pieces also allow the consumer, especially those with a more limited bank account, the opportunity to capture an item of outstanding provenance.

On the art, Erica Barrish, Senior Specialist for Post War + Contemporary Art, notes that the sale is filled with “important European artists.” She mentions works by Bernard Frize and Ivan Navarro as seminal pieces. Additionally, Barrish is particularly excited about the coming of Aya Takano’s “Birth of Land Dance, Izanagi, Izanami” to market. The largest of the Murakami disciple’s acrylic, ink and graphite works, Barrish also believes it the artist’s most important.

Important works continue on the design side, with Jefferson quick to point out three sofas by Vladimir Kagan among the highlights. The sofas are the largest standard forms produced by the innovative German-born, American trained designer. The biomorphic, boomerang shapes are “an oasis that anchor rooms and give perspective to art work.”

Belgian designer Ado Chale is represented though two coffee tables. Each is produced with enameled steel base and rich top of poured resin punctuated by hematite metal. Similarly, Paul Evans concrete and steel coffee table balances sensual forms and industrial material.

On the balance of the collection, Jefferson also quickly compares the organic forms of an anonymous clay floor lamp to the “Rock” designed by Tatiana Trouve. The eye of the collector and a verve for finding connections in all possessions shining through in this set of items.

In all, the sale (like the collection it derives from) celebrates the diversity of contemporary arts and design. Most importantly, it celebrates the potential of these goods to live in harmony and the importance of anonymous work in the history of modern and contemporary design.
The first lot will go up at noon central time at 1440 Hubbard St. Chicago, IL, on June 24, 2010.

What follows is a look at the collection at home in Paris alongside highlighted lots.