Art Sells Real Estate: The Daily Mail breathlessly reports on the $120m sale of a Malibu estate with a main house and a beach house that was sold with some art as a sweetner to the record price:
- “The house was sold in an off-market deal and even includes the contents of the home which includes artwork by Damien Hirst, Ed Ruscha and Sterling Ruby. The $120million price tag gives the new owner six acres of land set atop an ocean bluff. It comes with seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a screening room and a gym.” …
Kering Had a Very Strong 2017: According to François-Henri Pinault, the luxury goods company that provided much of the wealth that allowed his father François Pinault to buy both Christie’s and a great deal of art had a phenomal year last year. But that’s not what explains the rise in Kering’s stock price, according to the Financial Times:
- “The shares have already climbed by 161 per cent over the past two years, three times further than the MSCI European luxury goods index. That was not just thanks to the revival of the Gucci brand after a change in the top team in 2014. It also reflects plans to reposition Kering as a pure luxury player, after distributing shares in its sportswear business Puma. […] Kering’s brands should continue to outperform the luxury market, which is set to grow at around 6 per cent this year.” …
Lévy Gorvy Now Represent Martial Raysse in the US: The gallery will open a show of the proto-Pop painter’s work on February 28:
- Martial Raysse: Visages focuses of the subtleties of appearance, or visage, the exhibition will showcase over twenty recent paintings, many never before exhibited, alongside ‘Portrait de Gabriella la jolie vèntienne’ (1963), an exceptional work that anchors Raysse’s decades-long engagement with the art historical tradition of portraiture and celebrates his unique position as a contemporary classical painter. …
Sotheby’s Acquires Viyet: This morning Sotheby’s announced the acquisition of Viyet, the online marketplace for interior design specializing in vintage and antique furniture, decorative objects and accessories. Viyet will provide Sotheby’s clients with “simple, fixed price opportunities whenever they wish to buy and sell.”
- “Launched in 2013, Viyet serves both private individuals and the trade in the United States through its New York headquarters and a growing network of “curators” in 13 markets around the country. The Viyet team, led by CEO Elizabeth Brown, will join Sotheby’s, while maintaining their brand and business operation. They will report to John Auerbach, General Manager of Sotheby’s North American Art & Objects Division.”