Rock star Bono is hosting (Auction) Red at Sotheby's this Valentine's Day to benefit the charity.
If you're eager to bid against the likes of Michael Stipe, Moby, Josh Hartnett, Ed Burns, Dennis Hopper and Christy Turlington, don't hurry to register for a paddle. The audience of 700 is invite only.
(Red) benefits AIDS patients in Africa. A percentage of the sale of consumer products bearing the (Red) label goes to buy the two pills a day necessary to keep patients alive. Bono convinced Damien Hirst to petition many of the art world's top contemporary artists–Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Chuck Close and more–to donate pieces to the auction, the entire proceeds of which will benefit the charity. Many of the pieces were created specifically for the auction, and are donated directly by the artists.
It's refreshing to hear about an auction where the proceeds will go to real good. But the original sales estimate of $40 million has dropped recently to $21–29 million based on recession fears. Pump up the music, Bono! Shake those wallets, people!
Shelley's Art History Blog [About.com]
Sotheby's Cuts Estimate for Hirst, Bono-Backed Auction by 28% [Bloomberg.com]
Kudos to Sotheby's for waving the auction fees, and allowing every penny of the 40+ million to go to africa.
GO RED!
Posted by: SpencerKent | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 09:34 PM