What a pleasure to show you behind the scenes of Sotheby’s’ sale, NOW!. There, we were able to see a procession of art experts in the moulded spaces of a Parisian townhouse. A timeless scenery, with a lot of pieces of furniture and works of art we were lucky enough to shoot. The Socialite Family was there for this third edition of NOW!, whose exhibition and sales will respectively happen on February 21st and 24th. We have even better for you. We took part in the project. We helped them choose cult objects, contemporary photographs and intriguing accessories, showcased in the very beautiful catalogue of the event. Different from the other auctions, the goal of NOW! is to offer a range of more “buyable” works of art. The concept NOW! is the result of a collaboration between experts of contemporary art, photography, design and tribal art, and its aim is to meet the expectations of a generation who cares about personalising interiors. A philosophy we like, so we wanted to be part of this project. Helped by Jonas Tebib, the manager of the Photography department, Joëlle Koops and Mercedes Lámbarri Altamira, from the Contemporary Art department and Agathe de Bazin, from the Design department of Sotheby’s France, The Socialite Family answers all your questions. You’ll then be unbeatable at the ephemeral bar in the auction house on February 22nd. You can meet us there if you will, it’s open to all. And 24 hours before the sale. It may be the time to become a collector, don’t you think?
Let’s meet at Sotheby’s, 76, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – 75008 PARIS, to attend the following events.
Ephemeral cocktail, open to all: February 22nd, from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m.
NOW! sale: 2017, February 23rd
Why is NOW! different from the other Sotherby’s auctions?
NOW! is different from the other sales we hold at Sotheby’s because it’s multidisciplinary and accessible. While every department usually works on its own, NOW! is the result of a particular collaboration between specialists of contemporary art, photography, design and tribal art. NOW! is also different due to its selection of works and pieces of art quite affordable, some estimates starting at 300€, which enables us to target a younger and wider audience than for other sales.
How did you get this idea?
Things have evolved in the past few years. The types of our customers evolved since they are now both younger and more international. We had to create an original project to meet the expectations of this new generation who cares about personalising interiors.
Who is NOW! for?
Now you get it, NOW! is for a wide audience. You can be a neophyte or a collector, you must be able to find a lot of objects you’d like.
“Specialist” is a wide word. Can you precisely describe your role?
We are experts at several levels. We need to know how to meet the customers’ expectations. It starts with pieces of advice in collection management we can give, the estimates of the works, the sales proposals according to our strategy, developed in collaboration with different offices in Paris, Hong Kong, London, Milan and New York. We also advise our clients when it comes to purchasing and developing their collections.
This rich and interesting sale offers lots that will appeal to a variety of tastes and stories.
Did you select the objects yourselves?
Yes, sure. Every department selected works, in its category, considering objects perfect for this mix of genres and which meet the customers’ expectations. That’s what makes the success of NOW!.
Where do they come from? How did you choose them?
The works come from the entire world. For example, we have a gorgeous kinetic work coming from a particular European collection, objects coming from Asia and also from the United States. We even have objects which belonged to Georges Pompidou.
What are your favourite objects?
What would you advise to auctions neophytes?
The best piece of advice we could give to someone starting a collection would be: let your instinct guide you. Buy what you love. The investment part must always remain secondary. It’s also important to be well-advised and not to hesitate to ask for help from our best specialists to answer any question you could have.
From when can we say we start a “collection”?
You know, from the number of two, we are several people. So I’d say from the second purchase!
If I want to start a collection, where should I start?
You first need to identify what you really like. You need to go to a lot of exhibitions, in museums, but also in galleries, auction houses, and fairs, where thousands of works are at the same place at the same moment. Don’t hesitate to ask for the prices. Even if in auction houses it’s easier because they are displayed, ask for them in galleries and start taking notes. When you’re lucky enough to find a work you really like – I mean something you’re obsessed with, day and night, this is how we recognize a collector – and which you can buy, you must go and buy it!
Concretely, how do we buy?
You can raise the bid by physically being at the auction (an experience worth living), by making a call for the objects you’re interested in, by letting a purchase order before the sale and clarifying the maximum you want to pay, or directly on the Internet, on the website Sotheby’s.
Unique bouquets inspired by the English-style gardens delivered from Tuesday to Saturday in less than 4 hours.
John St. Clair swimming by David Hockey. Chromogenic print from 1976, signed and numbered 65/80 in black ink in the lower margin, mounted on passepartout and framed.
Dimension : 18,1 x 23,9 cm ; 7 x 9 ½ in.
Date of the Sotheby’s sale NOW! : February 24th, 2017.
Let’s meet at Sotheby’s, 76, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – 75008 PARIS, to attend the following events.
Ephemeral cocktail, open to all: February 22nd, from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m.
NOW! sale: 2017, February 23rd
Photography : Constance Gennari – Text : Caroline Balvay @thesocialitefamily
Sotheby’s celebrates design by presenting a very eclectic auction. After the success of the first Now ! auction, Sotheby’s did not resist the temptation to...
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