Collecting
Newsworthy Items

Seven attractive architectural elements from Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan’s Chicago Stock Exchange Building went on sale at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Art & Design auction on 2nd June 2009. Sullivan is considered by many as “the father of modern architecture”. The building itself was demolished in 1972, however, the Art Institute of Chicago fortunately salvaged the majority of the Trading Room and a massive arch that served as an entrance. All seven items sold either well within or above estimates including this two cast and wrought iron elevator enclosure panels from the main floor of the stock exchange, circa 1893, that sold for $40,000, above an estimate of $20,000 - $30,000.

Christies_Dankmar_Adler_and_Louis_Sullivan

Christie’s Images Ltd. 2009

Julian Treger, the South African Hedge Fund Manager has teamed up with Kenny Schachter, the American Gallerist and Zaha Hadid, the internationally renowned architect/designer, to promote the latest trend that is called ‘Architect Art’.

A vacuum cast transparent acrylic multiple, 2005, produced by Zaha Hadid
Christie’s Images Ltd. 2009

A vacuum cast transparent acrylic multiple, 2005, produced by Zaha Hadid and sold for £1,063 in June 2008 at Christie's London.

 

They all believe that this neglected art form is due for a radical reassessment. Treger explains : “There is a long tradition of architect art but it has never really been promoted properly. If you go to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, there is a whole section devoted to the models and drawings by names such as Philip Johnson, Walter Gropius, Frank Lloyd Wright and so on. At the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in London, one of the most interesting rooms is devoted to Architecture. Zaha (Hadid) has always been on the edge of art and architecture – her earlier applications for commissions almost appear to be inspired by Russian Constructivism. When I heard Kenny (Schachter) was working with her producing sculptural interpretations of her designs as art, I wanted to get involved.”
Contemporary chair
Although historically the value of architecture has risen over long-term periods, there have been periods where this has not been the case. There is no guarantee that the architecture market will continue to rise in the future.
 


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