Concept, performance

Heland Wetterling Gallery, Stockholm 1996

At this conceptual auction I sold out everything I’ve made until then; paintings, objects, installations, sculptures. Two hundred artworks of various quality.

» See more photos from the auction.

Reason.
I had experienced a dissolution of value in my own and other artists’ work. I came to the conclusion that the constant demand for renewal makes ideas old the minute they are produced.

As a consequence, I decided to treat my artworks like any consumption product in society. These works, however good works of art they were considered to be, were ”passé”.

The auction suited my purpose. Not the cultivated Art auction – where Art has a value – but the more simple form, where you can buy everything cheap – if, you are fast enough.

Realization: The project was treated and advertised like any consumption product. An auction agency took care of the auction. The public had only one chance to see the works, the same day they were sold out.
”See it now, Buy it now, Tomorrow is to late”.

About a thousand people came, mingled, bought cheap. Some embarrassingly bad works, some extremely good. All treated the same way. People paid like 20 $ for a giant painting.

The reactions were many. People bought with mixed feelings, aware of their greed, and that something was very wrong with this project.

» See more photos from the auction.

Art Director: The Fantastic Malin Ringblom (Malin Jureit)

©Gunilla Leander