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• Issue #122
• Article

By Brian Appel

Acquiring the monumental and iconic Andreas Gursky "99 Cent (Store)" color diptych for $3.35 million might be out-of-range for all but the uber-rich trophy hunter who typically shops at the prestigious fall and spring evening auctions, but there is a trickle-down effect that is impacting the ever expanding mid-season post-war and contemporary sales.

The club aspect--being part of an exclusive group that all share ownership of a small edition of a particularly sought-after iconic work, like the above-mentioned Gursky (each photograph is over 11 foot wide)--can give the owner bragging rights for a long time. Six people/institutions are sitting on this chromogenic diptych that has been referred to as a "… dazzling array of an all too surreal reality". No doubt it's a titillating high to know that the Met, MoMA, hedge-fund manager Stephen A. Cohen, David Geffen, Jay-Z and you are all looking at the same poetic commentary on the world.

Photography fever, especially the "tableau" kind that suggests we are now in a world where simulated feelings and experiences have replaced the real thing, is the current catnip for an invasion of newly-minted wealthy collectors. Soaring prices and the influx of cash is providing a welcome boost for collectors who got in early. Once considered risky and on the fringe, these seductive photographs that describe the 'hyper-reality' of modern media or consumer culture are now THE hotbeds of critical and market attention.

The blurring of reality and unreality from artists who use the medium of photography is not only fashionable, but it's been a very good investment--so far. Lately owning a contemporary piece of art from an important camera artist is like having an endowment of sorts. The work, in many cases, begins appreciating the moment it leaves the dealer's gallery or auction house and is placed on the collector's wall.

But just being rich doesn't rate that high any more. The acquisition of a Cindy Sherman, a Richard Prince, a Hiroshi Sugimoto, a Louise Lawler, a Thomas Struth or a Gerhardt Richter--all top performers in terms of both the intellectual buzz and the investment results so far--can bring about a shift in how you're perceived by that key elite group that you desperately want to hang out with. We're talking about today's art cognoscenti: collectors, dealers, curators, auction house specialists and art advisors.

But let's get down to the specifics. Here are the top 25 photographs sold at auction at the mid-season contemporary art sales at the big three in New York:

1. Thomas Struth, "Basilica De Montreal, Palermo", 1998, color coupler print, 73-3/8 by 91-1/8 in., ed. '1/6', est. $150,000-$200,000, price realized: $300,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot 52), Feb. 26, 2007.

2. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Guggenheim Museum, New York", 1997, gelatin silver print, 58-¾ by 47 in., from an edition of five, est. $90,000-$120,000, price realized: $262,400, Phillips de Pury & Co., Under the Influence, NY010107, (Lot #249), Feb. 27, 2007.

3. Cindy Sherman, Untitled #264 (Sex Pictures), 1992, color coupler print, 50 by 75 in., ed. '1/6', est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $252,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #36), Feb. 26, 2007.

4. Richard Prince, Untitled (Cowboy), 1999, Ektacolor print, 24 by 20 in., ed. '2/2' + 1 AP, est. $100,000-$150,000, price realized: $240,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #31), Feb. 26, 2007.

5. Cindy Sherman, Untitled #418 (Clown), 2004, color coupler print, 72 by 44-¼ in., ed. '5/6', est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $216,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #34), Feb. 26, 2007.

6. Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still #19, 1978, gelatin silver print, 30 by 40 in., ed. '2/3', est. $80,000-$120,000, price realized: $210,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #35), Feb. 26, 2007.

7. Thomas Demand, Collection, 2002, chromogenic color print face-mounted on Plexiglas, 59 by 78-¾ in., ed. '6/6', est. $120,000-$180,000, price realized: $204,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #55), Feb. 26, 2007.

8. Thomas Ruff, "17H 58M/-25 Degrees", 1990, chromogenic color print in Diasec mount, wood frame, 102-3/8 by 74 in., ed. '2/2'+1 AP, est. $70,000-$90,000, price realized: $150,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #72), Feb. 26, 2007.

9. Thomas Struth, "California Valley 1" (California), 1999, color coupler print, 68-½ by 83 in., ed. '1/10', est.: $60,000-$80,000, price realized: $132,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #53), Feb. 26, 2007.

10. Louise Lawler, "Pink", 1994-1995, C-print (Museum Box), 60 by 47 in., from an edition of five, est. $30,000-$40,000, price realized: $126,000, Phillips de Pury & Co., Under the Influence, NY010107, (Lot #254), Feb. 27, 2007.

11. Thomas Demand, "Bullion", 2003, Chromogenic color print in Diasec mount, 17-¼ by 22-¼ in., this work is an AP from an edition of six, est. $20,000-$30,000, price realized: $120,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #56), Feb. 26, 2007.

12. Rodney Graham, "Cedar, Lighthouse Park, Vancouver #8", 1991, monochrome color print, 105 by 72 in., this work is unique, est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $114,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #73), Feb. 26, 2007.

13. Berndt & Hilla Becher, "Winding Towers", 1967-1977, six gelatin silver prints, each: 15-¾ by 12 in., est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $108,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #21), Feb. 26, 2007.

13. Tie. Gilbert & George, "Tom", 2001, hand-dyed gelatin silver prints in six parts in the artist's frame, 66-½ by 55-¾ in., est. $90,000-$120,000, price realized: $108,000, Phillips de Pury & Co., Under the Influence, NY010107, (Lot #119), Feb. 27, 2007.

14. Mike Kelley, "Plaster Statue of John Glenn, John Glenn H.S., Westland, Mi. Chainsaw Sculpture of Bigfoot, Redwood Area of Northern CA", 2001, diptych--color coupler print, each: 73-¼ by 49-¼-in., this work is number one from an edition of five, est. $80,000-$120,000, price realized: $102,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #50), Feb. 26, 2007.

15. Bernd & Hilla Becher, "Blast Furnaces", 1986, eight gelatin silver prints mounted on board, each: 15-7/8 by 12-¼ in., est. $80,000-$120,000, price realized: $84,000, Christie's, First Open/Post-War and Contemporary Art, #1806, (Lot #169), Feb. 28, 2007.

16. Matthew Barney, "Cremaster 2: Korihor", 1999, gelatin silver print in acrylic frame, 43-1/8 by 33-7/8 in., number 3 from an edition of six plus 1 AP, est. $70,000-$90,000, price realized: $72,000, Sotheby's, Contemporary Art, N08294, (Lot #230), Feb. 26, 2007.

16. Tie. Louise Lawler, "This Way I Can't Fight", 2002, Cibachrome print mounted on aluminum, 40 by 50 in., ed. '4/5', est. $30,000-$40,000, price realized: $72,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #61), Feb. 26, 2007.

16. Tie. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Mirtoan Sea, Sounion", 1990, gelatin silver print mounted on paper, 20 by 24 in., ed. '18/25', est. $20,000-$30,000, price realized: $72,000, Christie's, First Open/Post-War and Contemporary Art, #1806, (Lot #164), Feb. 28, 2007.

17. Thomas Ruff, "Nude ft 26, 2002", 2002, C-print in artist's wooden frame, 55 by 43-¼ in., numbered of five, est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $66,000, Phillips de Pury & Co., Under the Influence, NY010107, (Lot #75), Feb. 27, 2007.

18. Thomas Ruff, "Nudes HL 13 (NUD061)", 2000, chromogenic color print in Diasec mount, with artist's wood frame, 63 by 48 in., ed. '2/5' + 2 APs, est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $60,000, Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #5), Feb. 26, 2007.

19. Louise Lawler, "Michael", 2001, Cibachrome print mounted on aluminum, 60 by 46 in., ed. '1/5', est. $30,000-$40,000, price realized: $57,600, Christie's Christie's, Beyond…Selections from the Pierre Huber Collection, #1933, (Lot #1), Feb. 26, 2007.

20. Richard Prince, Untitled (Publicity), 2000, three publicity photographs, 33-1/4 by 41-¾ in., unique, est. $50,000-$70,000, price realized: $54,000, Christie's, First Open/Post-War and Contemporary Art, #1806, (Lot #139), Feb. 28, 2007.

20. Tie. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Sea of Galilee, Golan", 1992, gelatin silver print mounted on paper, 20 by 24 in., ed. '3/25', est. $20,000-$30,000, price realized: $54,000, Christie's, First Open/Post-War and Contemporary Art, #1806, (Lot #166), Feb. 28, 2007.

21. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Akron Civic Theatre, Akron, Ohio", 1980, gelatin silver print, 20 by 23-¾ in., ed. '5/25', est. $20,000-$30,000, price realized: $51,000, Sotheby's, N.Y., Contemporary Art, N08294, (Lot #352), Feb. 26, 2007.

22. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Ordovician Period", 1992, gelatin silver print mounted on paper, 20 by 24 in., ed. '7/25', est. $12,000-$18,000, price realized: $48,000, Christie's, First Open/Post-War and Contemporary Art, #1806, (Lot #167), Feb. 28, 2007.

22. Tie. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Sea of Japan, Hokkaido 1", 1986, gelatin silver print, 20 by 24 in., Ed. of 25, est. $30,000-$40,000, price realized: $48,000, Phillips de Pury & Co., Under the Influence, NY010107, (Lot #247), Feb. 27, 2007.

23. Wang Qingsong, "Past, Present, Future (Triptych)", 2001, chromogenic prints, mounted, image #1 and image #3: 27 by 44-¼ in., image #2: 26-¾ by 33-¼ in., ed. '11/30', est. $30,000-$40,000, price realized: $45,000, Sotheby's, Contemporary Art, N08294, (Lot #349), Feb. 26, 2007.

24. Matthew Barney, "Cremaster 3: Chrysler Imperial", 2001, C-print in acrylic frame, 24 by 28 in., ed. '10/50' + 10 AP, est. $20,000-$30,000, price realized: $42,000, Sotheby's, Contemporary Art, N08294, (Lot #233), Feb. 26, 2007.

24. Tie. Richard Prince, "Bitches and Bastards", 1985, three Ektacolor prints in artist's frame, 9-7/8 by 13-¾ in. each, 42-½ by 62-½ in. overall, unique, est. $40,000-$60,000, price realized: $42,000, Phillips de Pury & Co., Under the Influence, NY010107, (Lot #25), Feb. 27, 2007.

25. Hiroshi Sugimoto, "Canton Palace Theater, Canton, Ohio", 1980, gelatin silver print, 20 by 23-7/8 in., ed. '5/25', est. $20,000-$30,000, price realized: $39,000, Sotheby's, Contemporary Art, N08294, (Lot #351), Feb. 26, 2007.

Louise Lawler was perhaps the biggest surprise of these auctions, based on her outstanding performance at mid-season. Her eight lots that sold brought $319,560 on a low/high pre-sale estimate of $114,500-$156,000.

Cindy Sherman and Thomas Struth also surpassed high expectations especially in the controversial Pierre Huber single-owner sale at Christie's. Many dealers and artists reportedly complained that Huber got 'insider' prices on artworks that were supposedly going to be 'gifted' to an art museum but were 'flipped' for outsized profits at Rockefeller Center.

As prices for contemporary art photography soar, the acquisitions continue to expand. Important works that are instantly recognizable--virtually 'branded' black and white or color photographic prints--are still undervalued in terms of their relative cost as compared to painting or sculpture. Owning a Sherman or a Struth might be an unconscious way of slowing down the accelerating pace of the world. Acquiring works of a time-based medium with high verisimilitude is one way to combat constant change in a world spinning out of control.

Brian Appel is a contributing writer for both iphotocentral.com and artcritical.com, focusing on photography and contemporary art. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of Manitoba's School of Art and a Masters of Arts (Photography and Film Studies) from the University of Iowa. He has been intrigued by the concept of photographer as witness since walking into the first posthumous New York Museum of Modern Art exhibition of Diane Arbus in 1972. He has written several articles for the E-Photo Newsletter and the I Photo Central website on contemporary art photography.