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For Immediate Release

19 August 2011

Contact: Capucine Milliot cmilliot@christies.com tel +1 212 636 2680

SEASON OPENER 

CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK TO KICK OFF THE FALL AUCTION

SEASON WITH THE FIRST OPEN POST-WAR ANDCONTEMPORARY ART SALE ON SEPTEMBER 21st 

GERHARD RICHTER (b. 1932) Abstraktes Bild , 1997

Estimate: $350,000 – 450,000

New York  —  Christie’s is pleased to announce the Fall 2011 edition of First Open, a sale of Post-

 War and Contemporary Art, on September 21, 2011. The auction will feature an international selection

of works by recognized post-war masters and today’s leading artists such as Gerhard Richter, Felix

Gonzalez-Torres and George Condo, with competitive estimates. The sale will offer a total of 337

lots with a wide range of price points to all collectors of the genre. First Open is expected to achieve

in the range of $10 million.

Sara Friedlander, Head of First Open, comments: “ First Open has become the ideal collecting opportunity 

  for both new and experienced buyers of Post-War and Contemporary Art  —  and this sale is exceptional for the 

combination of high quality and international scope. The selection ranges from the U.S., France and Germany to Japan,

Iran, Mexico and beyond. We look forward to kicking off the fall season with this event that is always eagerly 

anticipated, by seasoned collectors and those who are new to the market alike .”  

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Leading the sale is a highly important example of the renowned abstract paintings executed by 

Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) in the late 1990s. This  Abstraktes Bild (oil on aludibond) painted in 1997

exhibits the dynamism, sensuousness and glorious color that are so highly coveted in this key series of 

Richter’s work (Estimate: $350,000 – 450,000).

Other highlights of the sale include:

FELIX GONZALEZ-TORRES (1957-

1996) 

Untitled, silver-plated brass, executed in 1995

Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000

  The only permanent sculpture ever created

by this poet of the ephemeral, Untitled 

evokes the joys of love, and the anguish of 

its sudden loss, through a beguilingly simple

juxtaposition of two silver-coated brass

rings, mounted side-by-side. The present lotis number five in an edition of twelve.

BERNAR VENET (b. 1941)

209.5º Arc x 14, steel, executed in 2004

Estimate: $150,000 – 250,000

 This classic example of the artist’s monumental outdoor sculptures

embodies Venet’s meticulous, intense effort to probe therelationships among art, architecture and landscape. The Palace of 

  Versailles has honored Venet by showcasing his art through

November 1, 2011.

GEORGE CONDO (b. 1957)

Dispersed Figures , oil on canvas, painted in 1998

Estimate: $100,000 – 150,000

Subject of a popular and critically acclaimed“conceptual survey” held in early 2011 at The New 

Museum, George Condo channeled his virtuosity 

and deep feeling for art history into a masterful,

neo-Surrealist style in Dispersed Figures,   with its

exuberantly calligraphic draftsmanship and

knowing evocation of the early New York School.

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NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE (1930-2002)

 Nana, yarn, lace, string, oil and adhesive on fabric with bronze base,

1965

Estimate: $60,000 – 80,000

 The prolific and pathbreaking Niki de Saint Phalle reached a major

turning point in her career in 1965, when she created her first Nanas : archetypal figures that celebrate the joyful, colorful,

abundant and elemental nature of women’s existence. Christie’s is

proud to offer the work believed to be the first of the epoch-

making  Nanas. 

GEORGE MACIUNAS (1931-1978)

Fluxkit,  vinyl attaché case and printed matter, executed in 1964-

1965Estimate: $60,000 – 80,000

Under the Fluxus label, George Maciunas used the postal service

to market a wide range of other artists’ works. Fluxkit  is a

representative package of these objects, encompassing the best-

known forms in which Fluxus editions were issued: games,

journals, films, interactive boxes and graphic scores for events.  

Under the Fluxus label, George Maciunas marketed through the

mail a wide range of objects made by other artists. The originator

of the idea of art in a box was Marcel Duchamp with his 'Boîte-

en-valise'. The 'Fluxkit', however, was conceived as a collective product rather than individual

museum.

Public Exhibition: September 17-20, 2011Christie’s Rockefeller Center Galleries 

 Auction: September 21, 2011, 10am and 2pm

 About Christie’s

Christie’s, the world's leading art business had global auction and private sales in 2010 that totaled £3.3billion/$5.0 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service andexpertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatestauctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and thebeautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorativearts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million.Christie’s has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York,Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led the market withexpanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates,

 with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. 

Visit Christie’s Website at  www.christies.com  Images available on request 

Complete catalogue available online at  www.christies.com or via the Christ ie’s iPhone app