The tower in West Kowloon opens with a showcase of modern and contemporary art, including Kusama and Monet, and treasures such as China’s last emperor’s fan and watch
On March 18, auction house Phillips opened its new headquarters next to M+ in the WKCDA Tower. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron and featuring interior design by LAAB Architects, the tower spans more than 52,000 square feet across six floors, and houses an auction room, exhibition galleries on the first three floors, offices, a café and a VIP lounge.
The inaugural exhibition is taking place on the ground and first floors, where it is showing auction highlights from the 20th Century and contemporary art Hong Kong spring sales, which will take place in this new location on March 30 and 31. One of Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin paintings, one of the highest value works by the artist to ever be offered at auction, is a highlighted piece. The proceeds from its sale will benefit the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum in Iowa, USA.
As well as major art names such as Claude Monet, Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara and Wu Guangzhong, the exhibition also features watch and jewellery pieces. Patek Philippe is offering a collection of Aisin-Gioro Puyi’s effects, including a fan and a Ref 96 Quantième Lune moonphase watch. Puyi, who was the last emperor of China, gifted the watch to his Russian translator Georgy Permyakov when the “puppet emperor” was a Soviet captive in Siberia. The watch hasn’t been restored for more than 80 years and still shows the scratches. It is estimated to fetch a price in the seven figures, and the sales will take place later in 2023.
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