- Your alliance with Mercury Group - step on the Russian market?
- Of course. But not only. As the owners of Mercury brilliantly mastered the art of development, I hope that this alliance will bring great benefits not only for the Russian art market. For us, together with Mercury - a step in the global art market.
- Means that Moscow will not be your only priority?
- In regard to contemporary art, Moscow in recent years has grown rapidly. This show and the Biennale of contemporary art and antiques fairs that take place in Moscow. Hardly ever somewhere before been possible exhibition like a huge Kabakov retrospective. The current Russian collectors are very active, and they follow the example of their compatriots who were before the revolution, the biggest art collectors in Europe. And it is on the world market and it is modern art.
- What is the specialization of Phillips de Pury & Company ...
- It's true. When in 2004 we took over control of the company, owned at the time Bernard Arnault, we decided to concentrate on a few key sectors. They seemed not so important to the auction houses, which in the old see themselves only in the museum of classical art. We put on the design of modern jewelry and contemporary art, and it helped us to successfully promote the business. It developed in parallel with the development of modern art. Once it is sold in European and American markets, but now it exists everywhere, the market has become global. We are aware of the global market and ceased to show Russian art separately from the west or east. Thus, we have broadened the range of collectors and have achieved excellent results - set sales records for such classics as Ilya Kabakov and Erik Bulatov. The great success we have had the Chinese, now our auctions will be India, ahead of - the art of Iran and the wider - the entire Arab world.
- After her divorce from Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, you're a long time remain independent. Why did you decide to be trapped under the wing of a powerful group?
- We left when found that outside the group will achieve more. Time has shown that we were right - we have experienced with the market is somewhat feverish development and growth. Now the time has changed and is useful on another level contact with a strong strategic partner. Because we are very pleased with this alliance with a group of Mercury. He is intelligent and timely.
- Mercury Group sells and presents in Russia Prada, Patek Philippe, dozens of first-class stamps, but never before there had been no purchase of shares in "Patek" or "Prada". Why they decided to start with you? Because, as they say, your audience - this is their audience?
- We have a lot in common. As a player on the art market, we do not create works of art, we only sell them, and in that sense we are closer to the specifics of the Mercury, as any luxury brand, with its production and distribution.
- What part of the shares you sold?
- We have agreed not to publicize details of the operation itself.
- Talk about the amount of € 30 million
- I can not tell you any details, to my deep regret.
- All your activities are now linked to the Mercury Group, or you will have some independent of their projects?
- Since we are now allies and partners, of course, our projects will be developed in very close consultation with a group of Mercury. I think it's in our interests, because we - the auction house, so to speak, a reasonable size, we have many different features and very flexible.
- Now, when you become part of their luxurious collections, you will continue your charitable and educational programs?
- Required. We have, as mentioned, the general customers.
- And in late October, you sell Kabakov in the Kremlin?
- Exactly. I'll knock with a hammer at a charity sale in the Kremlin.
- What are the general outlook for the arts in view of the developing economic crisis?
- I'm not clairvoyant. It is difficult to understand what is happening in different markets, and it is impossible to predict what it will cast a shadow on the Art Market. Sales, which occurred at the beginning of the crisis, were more encouraging. Excellent design auction held in London. A week ago I was standing behind desks auctioneer in New York at a charity auction. That night everything was fine, but will serve as a barometer of sales in mid-October in London and in mid-November in New York - they will show that for the processes are going on the art market.
- And if you look in the long term?
- If we look at market development and trace statistics from the end of the XIX century, we see unchanging trend: there were periods of deceleration and stagnation, almost a catastrophe, but after that, art has always argued that it is - a wonderful, incomparable investment. If we're talking, of course, about the long-term investment and the present art.
- Do you think that the art will again become a sort of reserve currency, a monetary safe haven in these difficult years that lie ahead?
- On the art market are not cold brokers. On the one hand, this is, of course, a haven for money, but on the other hand, we are working with collectors, which often lead other emotions - pride and passion.
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15.10.2008, 06:35
Simon de Pury: on the art market are not cold brokers
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