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March 25, 2022 • Schneps Media
BY THE VILLAGER STAFF
Last month, West Chelsea
Contemporary (WCC),
the contemporary art
gallery that opened its New
York location in Chelsea last
fall, launched a fundraising
exhibition titled “New
York Artists for the Bronx,”
where more than a dozen
NYC-based artists, came together
to support the victims
of the tragic Jan. 9 fire in the
Fordham Heights section,
by donating their work to
the cause.
On March 17, WCC announced
the exhibition raised
a total of $24,519, all of
which will godirectly to the
Bronx Fire Relief Fund — an
offshoot of the Mayor’s Fund
to Advance to New York City.
The Jan. 9 blaze at the
Twin Parks North West highrise
apartment building, believed
to have been started
by a faulty space heater, is
the worst fire in the borough
since the Happy Land social
club arson fire in 1990,
which claimed 87 lives. Seventeen
people were killed in
the Twin Parks fire, including
eight children. Since tragedy
struck, there have been
four separate lawsuits filed
against the property owners
and the city.
“We are honored to participate
in this incredible
effort and we’re grateful to
the artists who have kindly
donated such amazing works
to the cause,” said Lisa Russell,
owner of West Chelsea
Contemporary. “The Bronx
Fire Relief Fund is directly
supporting the families most
affected by the fire through
immediate and long-term
support including funds for
food, clothing, and furniture
as well as covering moving
fees, medical bills and mental
health services.”
BY DEAN MOSES
Christie’s unveiled on March
21 an iconic Andy Warhol
painting of Marilyn Monroe
that they estimate will be auctioned
at a monumental value.
Pulling the curtain on Shot Sage
Blue Marilyn, a vibrant portrait
of the iconic film actress Marilyn
Monroe, the auction house
gushed over the artwork, touting
that they believe the piece is set to
become the most expensive 20th
century artwork to sell at auction.
“When asked to recognize certain
paintings, Marilyn stands in
line with Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa,”
said Alex Rotter, Christie’s Chairman
20th and 21st Century Art.
“I think I see it in your faces because
there’s something very, very
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
special about these paintings.”
Christie’s played the reveal
close to the chest, making camera
crews surrender their equipment
until the time was right to
introduce the portrait. For the
renowned auctioneer, this was
an event that wished to drive the
pomp and circumstance home,
even remarking that paintings
like this alter the market itself.
Rotter predicted that the Warhol
epic could sell for around
$200 million and publicized it
as one of the rarest and most
transcendent images in existence.
“The most significant 20th century
painting to come to auction
in a generation, Andy Warhol’s
Marilyn is the absolute pinnacle
of American Pop and the promise
of the American Dream encapsulating
optimism, fragility,
celebrity and iconography all at
once. The painting transcends
the genre of portraiture in America,
superseding 20th century art
and culture.
Standing alongside Botticelli’s
Birth of Venus, Da Vinci’s Mona
Lisa and Picasso’s Les Demoiselles
d’Avignon, Warhol’s Marilyn
is categorically one of the
greatest paintings of all time and
it’s a once in a generation opportunity
to present this masterpiece
publicly at auction,” Rotter said.
Before heading to auction in
May, the colorful portrayal of the
Hollywood starlet is set to tour
the world, making stops in Asia.
However, when the artwork does
sell, Christie’s pledged that the
proceeds will be dispensed to
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
charity, and the funds are promised
to benefit children in need.
“At Christie’s, charitable sales
drive us. Philanthropy is core to
our mission, and we are proud to
have raised significant funds for
foundations and non-profit organizations
alike. As a global company,
we believe it to be absolutely
essential to engage in a dialogue of
effecting social impact worldwide.
Today, we could not be prouder
to partner with the Thomas and
Doris Ammann Foundation in the
sale of Shot Sage Blue Marilyn as
we support the siblings’ valiant
endeavor to create healthcare and
education programs that will have
a direct and lasting impact on the
lives of children for the better,”
Marc Porters said, Chairman,
Christie’s Americas.
Christie’s set to auction iconic Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe.
Chelsea art
gallery aids
victims of
deadly Bronx
inferno
One auction, two icons
Christie’s set to sell Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe portrait