AUCTION
CHRIS LEVINE
“As a light artist, Levine is invested in the experience of light
through image and form. His contribution for RE:DEFINE
is a version of Lightness of Being—a meditative portrait of the
Queen of England—that has been hailed as one of the most
iconic images of the 21st century.” Chris Levine, Lightness of
Being, 2014, archival inkjet print with hand-applied Swarovski
crystals, 33 ½ x 41 in.
KEVIN FRANCIS GRAY
“What makes Gray’s work so exciting is the reinvention of
traditional material and techniques performed in a contemporar y
manner and context. His donation to RE:DEFINE captures a
portrait in bronze hollowed out creating an empty shell done
with an exquisite combination of patina bronze and highly
polished bronze on a beautiful marble base.” Kevin Francis
Gray, Nathan, 2013, patina bronze, highly polished bronze,
marble base, Edition 1/3, 34 x 14 x 17 in.
Patron: How are you attracting buyers to this year’s auction?
Are some of the bidders international?
Kenny Goss (KG) & Joyce Goss (JG): We are so excited to
have Paddle8 on board. This provides us with a well-respected
and internationally recognized digital platform to put these
fantastic works in front of a global collecting public. We also have
a fabulous MTV RE:DEFINE website mtvredefine.com that allows
people to view the works and read about this year’s contributing
artists.
Patron: Do you think the art market will hold these record-breaking auction sales at present?
KG/JG: Absolutely.
Patron: What do you find the most intriguing art auction sale
record of the past year and why?
KG/JG: Francis Bacon at $142 million and Jeff Koons at
$58 million, because we love their work and the ability they
have to achieve such staggering prices at auction.
Patron: The term “new collector” is often bandied about.
What are these new collectors gravitating toward?
KG/JG: A new collector is generally looking at emerging
artists. I find that they gravitate toward art of their generation
with ideas and themes that they can identify with on an
emotional and personal level.
Patron: How do the results of an auction like this enhance or
detract from the artist’s pedigree?
KG/JG: Let’s just say that there is a lot of pressure on the
entire RE:DEFINE team to make sure that the artist is pleased
with the auction result.
PATRON Q&A
If you are out-wagered on the artworks you may fancy the
exclusive pair of Elton John’s personal VIP tickets to his Million
Dollar Piano concert and a meet-and-greet at Caesar’s Palace in
Las Vegas, and/or a studio tour with and led by international
superstar artist, Damien Hirst.
The auction benefits the MTV Staying Alive Foundation,
a global HIV prevention and awareness charity that helps stop
the spread of HIV by funding young people running grassroots
prevention projects, and producing content that raises awareness
to global youth.
Dallas Contemporary, a nonprofit, non-collecting institution
committed to engaging the public through exhibitions, lectures,
educational programs and events is also a beneficiary.
This year’s fundraising goal? “We are well on target to
achieve $2.5 million with the event,” Kenny says confidently. P
