The Japanese word Kyobai means ‘Go, run, and get it!’ which is exactly what we mean to do this Thursday when a superlative contemporary collection of Japanese art, photography, furniture and objects (some, toys) go under the hammer at Phillips de Pury in London’s Victoria.
Click here to see a selection of lots from the sale.
2008’s Wallpaper* furniture designer of the year, Tokujin Yoshioka, gets an airing with his prototype Pane chair from 2006 and his animated Stardust chandelier for Swarovski from 2004, as do our old trusted favourites Isamu Noguchi (1904 – 88) - some rare galvanised steel pieces - Shiro Kuramata (1934-91) - the classic mesh How High the Moon in multiples - and George Nakashima (1905-90) - his substantial chunks of distinctive furniture with butterfly joint signature.
Here at Wallaper*, we tend to group designers by place of principle work, residence, or even birth place rather than ethnic origin, but Nakashima, active in Pennsylvania and dubbed a Statesman of the American Craft movement, and Noguchi, illegitimate son of a Japanese poet, born to an American in LA, and who first visited Japan in his middle age, are clearly Japanese artists by choice to some extent, which explains their inclusion. They present a welcome appearance, since their work succeeds in grounding a collection that in places is very colourful indeed - some might even say frenetic.
The collection is certainly extensive: there are bondage photographs as well as the demure architectural variety. High on our list are exquisite celadon ceramics by contemporary artist Shinobu Kawase, and a set of Nakashima tables and chairs with an estimate of 233,000 euros. A piece of basketwork by Ryunn Yamaguchi has also caught our eye at the more affordable low estimate of 1,600 euros.
But the whimsy in us hankers after Rei Kawakubo’s beech and brass chairs from 1990, produced by Comme des Garcons (purely for posterity), and of course, the centrepiece of the exhibition: Takashi Murakami’s Kinoko Isu. Murakami is widely considered the Warhol of his generation, as these prices reflect.
There are some surprises: work by lesser-known defunct duo, designers Shin and Tomoko Azumi, is well worth a bid. But we are most intrigued by the appearance of a paper teahouse from 2006 by eco warrior and king of cardboard, the youthful Shigeru Ban.
In short, there is something here for everyone and never a dull moment. In the accompanying catalogue, the term ‘Nip-hop’ has been coined to describe the recent album cover penned by Takashi Murakami for Kanye West’s album Graduation. How is it Monsieur de Pury manages to avoid the dourness so often prevalent at auction houses? Frankly, it is none of our business, but whatever de Pury is up to, it’s definitely working for us.
INFORMATION
- Event dates
- 3 April 2008 to 3 April 2008
- Website
- http://www.phillipsdepury.com
- Telephone
- 44.207 318 4010
- Address
- 9 Howick Place
London, SW1
