1. Estimates ranging from £1,000 to £200,000
First Open is an auction of Post-War and Contemporary Art of both established names and the best cutting-edge or emerging artists. Aimed at first-time buyers, established collectors looking to add interesting pieces to their collections, and those looking to decorate their homes, First Open estimates range from £1,000 to £200,000.
First Open, which began 10 years ago in New York, owes its name to the fact that the auctions ‘open’ the new season of sales for Post-War & Contemporary Art at Christie’s. Now in its second year in London, First Open attracts a truly global audience.
Alighiero Boetti, Per Nuovi Desideri (For New Desires), circa 1987. Embroidery. 7 1/8 x 7 5/8 in. (18.1 x 19.2 cm.) Estimate: £8,000-12,000. This work is offered in the First Open/LDN sale on 23 September at Christie’s South Kensington
2. A platform for new, established and undervalued artists
As a platform for highlighting up-and-coming talent as well as reinvigorating previously undervalued names, First Open is aimed at a wide audience. Artists such as Wade Guyton, R.H. Quaytman, Lee Ufan and Dadamaino have all been featured on the covers of the catalogue before they featured in Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening Sales and Italian Sales.
Yayoi Kusama, Untitled, 1990. Acrylic and graphite on canvas. 7 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (18 x 14 cm.) Estimate: £30,000-50,000. This work is offered in the First Open/LDN sale on 23 September at Christie’s South Kensington
3. An opportunity to engage with the art
An exciting series of events take place around our First Open sales in London, including a Saturday brunch to open the viewing at Christie’s South Kensington on 19 September, and a special First Open edition of Christie’s Lates, the hugely successful series of evening events which traditionally take place on the first Tuesday of every month at our South Kensington location. This special First Open Late event will take place between Session I and Session II of the sale on 23 September. More details can be found here.
Petra Cortright, +"starrreport"+ downloadable, 2013. Digital painting on aluminium. 48 x 64 in. (122 x 162.5 cm.) Estimate: £12,000-18,000. This work is offered in the First Open/LDN sale on 23 September at Christie’s South Kensington
4. It's easy to bid
If you are interested in a work with an estimate under £10,000, all you will need to bid is to set up a new client account with Christie’s. For this you will need to supply photo identification (passport, national ID card, or driving license) and proof of address (driving license or utility bill). You set up an account in person by arriving in good time in advance of the auction, or remotely by contacting Christie’s Client Services. To submit absentee bids via Christies.com, please click the ‘Place Bid’ button on lot page of the item for which you wish to bid, then choose ‘Place Absentee Bid’ and follow the simple steps. A bid confirmation will also be sent to you by email. You can leave bids via christies.com up to approximately 24 hours before the auction. For more information on how to bid, see our buying guide
Main image: Wolfgang Tillmans, End of Winter (a), 2005. C-print. Image: 10 7/8 x 15 7/8 in. (27.7 x 40.5 cm.); Sheet: 12 x 15 7/8 in. (30.5 x 40.5 cm.) This work is number five from an edition of ten plus one artist’s proof. Estimate: £2,000-3,000. This work is offered in the First Open/LDN sale on 23 September at Christie’s South Kensington
For more on the sales, visit First Open. For more features, interviews and videos, visit Christie’s Daily