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Hack-Hit Christie’s Achieves $114.7 Million in Contemporary Art Sales Despite Cyber Chaos

By Glanze Patrick staff@designtimes.com | May 16, 2024 03:00 AM EDT


(Photo: Wikipedia / Christie's)

Amidst cyber chaos, Christie's defied the odds with a successful $114.7 million contemporary art sale in New York. The sale set new records for multiple artists while encountering notable withdrawals.

The Unyielding Auction

The company may have confronted a devastating cyberattack. However, it still managed to stage two contemporary art sales in New York this year, generating a massive sale of $114 million. 7 million in sales. The period of Auction House's old website continues to lose its functionality lasted longer, the fact is online bidding through Christie's Live can continue without delay, pulls out the quicker action from everyone who are interested in the items. Within the majestic showroom at Rockefeller Center, the DTW ransomware maneuvering was practically undiscoverable as the event continued smoothly.

CEO's Witty Remark and Assurance

Pre-auction, Christie's CEO, Guillame Cerutti, spent some time with the humorist in a contented atmosphere. Then, he competed with reporters on the technology problem. In spite of challenges, Cerutti mirrored faith in his team's ability to ride out of the situation, noticing and reassuring the client as uncertainty prevailed.

The Rosa de La Cruz Collection

The evening commenced with the auction of roughly two dozen lots from the collection of the late Rosa de La Cruz, a prominent collector who passed away in February. Christie's guaranteed all 26 lots from the de la Cruz collection despite market fluctuations. However, one significant withdrawal surprised attendees- a Martin Kippenberger painting estimated at $2 million to $3 million. Nonetheless, the remaining 25 lots fetched a solid $34.4 million, with Felix Gonzalez-Torres's iconic suspended light bulb sculpture, Untitled (America #3), leading the charge at $13.6 million.

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Ana Mendieta's Record-Breaking Sales

The de la Cruz auction saw heated bidding wars, particularly for works by Ana Mendieta, resulting in two new auction records for the artist. Her 1983 floor sculpture, Untitled (Sandwoman Series/Serie Mujer de Arena), soared to $567,000, while her Silueta Works in Mexico fetched $277,200-both surpassing previous auction highs.

Main Evening Sale Highlights

Following the de la Cruz collection, Christie's proceeded with its customary 21st-century evening sale, totaling $80.3 million. Notable withdrawals, including Brice Marden's Event (2004-07) and works by Nicolas Party and Robert Mangold, dampened the sale's potential. Nevertheless, enthusiasm remained high, with Jean-Michel Basquiat's The Italian Version of Popeye Has No Pork in His Diet (1982) commanding $32 million.

Record-Breaking Moments

Despite withdrawals, the sale saw new records set for artists such as Diane Arbus, Reggie Burrows Hodges, and Martin Wong, highlighting the enduring strength of the contemporary art market. As Christie's concludes its successful contemporary art sale, attention now shifts to Sotheby's, which will host a modern art auction at York Avenue headquarters, promising further excitement and record-breaking moments.

In conclusion, Christie's resilient navigation of a cyberattack to host two lucrative contemporary art sales underscores the enduring demand and vitality of the art market. Despite technological setbacks and notable withdrawals, the auctions set new records for artists like Ana Mendieta and Martin Wong, signaling continued collector enthusiasm. As attention now turns to Sotheby's for their upcoming modern art auction, the art world remains poised for further excitement and potential record-breaking moments, highlighting the resilience and dynamism of the industry amidst adversity.

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