Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego To Host 2012 Biennial Art Auction on May 30 in La Jolla

San Diego, CA—The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will host its eighth Biennial Art Auction in La Jolla on Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 PM. The biennial auction is one of MCASD’s most popular and exciting events and will feature a live and silent auction of artworks donated by internationally recognized artists and emerging contemporary artists. Lydia Fenet, senior vice president and director of strategic partnerships for Christie’s New York, will preside as auctioneer.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our exhibiting artists and their galleries,” said Hugh Davies, MCASD’s David C. Copley Director and CEO. “The result is a terrific opportunity for collectors to acquire unique works of art by today’s most compelling artists.”

The silent auction will begin at 6:30 PM and will include informal curatorial tours as well as cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The live auction will begin at 8 PM and will include coffee and desserts. A live closing of select silent auction works will conclude the evening.

Guests at this year’s auction will be delighted to have exclusive access to special-edition auction paddles created by artist Ryan McGinness. These limited quantity paddles are available to Gold Circle ticket purchasers, and to general ticket holders should quantities last. All funds raised will support MCASD’s art acquisitions, exhibitions, and education programs.

Selected by MCASD curators and Hugh Davies, the artworks will be on view in the galleries at MCASD La Jolla from Monday, May 21 to Tuesday, May 29. Gold Circle ticket holders will also be able to view the works and receive private curatorial tours at the VIP Preview Reception on Thursday, May 24.

This year’s impressive roster of contemporary artists whose works will be available for purchase include Ai Weiwei, David Adey, Peter Alexander, John Baldessari, Tim Bavington, Barry Bell, Larry Bell, Mike Berg, Tim Bessell, Ross Bleckner, Mel Bochner, Kelsey Brookes, Christo, Lael Corbin, Mary Corse, Mara de Luca, Roman de Salvo, Lewis deSoto, Spencer Finch, Charles Gaines, Steve Gibson, Thomas Glassford, Mike Glier, Joe Goode, Iva Gueorguieva, Stephen Hannock, James Hayward, Jim Hodges, Jay Johnson, Isaac Julien, John Oliver Lewis, Margie Livingston, Jean Lowe, Luce et Studio Architects, Shana Lutker, Kim MacConnel, Heather Gwen Martin, Jessica McCambly, Ryan McGinness, Richard Allen Morris, Enrico Natali, Helen Pashgian, Marcos Ramirez ERRE, David Reed, Philipp Scholz Rittermann, Ed Ruscha, Christopher Russell, Stefanie Schneider, Andrew Schoultz, Jennifer Steinkamp, Ryan Taber, John Valadez, Perry Vasquez, Feodor Voronov, Stephanie Washburn, Barbara Weldon, and Jack Whitten.

Tickets

Gold Circle Tickets: $175 MCASD Members ($125 is tax-deductible); $200 Non-Members ($150 tax-deductible)
Gold Circle Patrons are offered the opportunity to have a private curatorial tour of the auction works and will be invited to a private VIP reception with a preview of the works led by MCASD’s curators. In addition, Gold Circle Patrons will receive a special-edition paddle designed by artist Ryan McGinness (limited quantity) and have preferred seating at the live auction, complimentary valet parking the night of the auction, and a listing in the auction’s program.

General Tickets: $75 MCASD Members ($35 is tax-deductible); $100 Non-Members ($60 is tax-deductible)
MCASD Members and the public are invited to purchase regular tickets to the Art Auction, which include the cocktail reception, silent auction, standing tickets to the live auction, and dessert reception.

Visit www.mcasd.orgto view the full list of works.  For more information, contact Kate Deuparo at 858 454 3541 x143 or kdeuparo@mcasd.org.

About Lydia Fenet

Lydia Fenet, senior vice president and director of strategic partnerships, joined Christie's in September 1999 as a member of the client advisory team. During her twelve years at Christies, Ms. Fenet has worked in a variety of different roles including overseeing 400 events a year as director of special events. In February 2010, Ms. Fenet launched the strategic partnerships program for Christie's in order to create global partnerships with other luxury brands. Due to the success of the strategic partnerships program at Christie’s, Ms. Fenet was promoted to international director of strategic partnerships in August 2011.

Ms. Fenet started her auctioneering career shortly after joining Christie's. Since her first auction in 2001, Ms. Fenet has become one of Christie's most experienced benefit auctioneers raising millions of dollars for some of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States. Some of her recent auctions include The Clinton Foundation, AMFAR, and the Food Bank of New York. Ms. Fenet was recently named one of the Top Five Auctioneers in New York and appeared as the auctioneer on the season finale of NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice. In addition to her role as a benefit auctioneer, Ms. Fenet teaches the benefit auctioneering class at Christie's helping to train a new class of auctioneers to represent Christie's. Ms. Fenet graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in both Art History and History from Sewanee - The University of the South.

About Christie’s

Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service, and expertise. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers more than 450 salesannually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million. Christie’s has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 saleroomsaround the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai and Hong Kong. Christie's also offers its clients worldwide access to its sales through Christie's LIVE™, its unique, real-time online bidding service.

Support

MCASD’s Art Auction is made possible by the generosity, counsel, and support of lead sponsor Christie’s. Additional in-kind support comes from The FrameMaker, which is providing archival-quality framing for a majority of the works; Hyatt Aventine La Jolla for their catering support; and Art Works San Diego for their assistance in the delivery and packaging of works. MCASD is also grateful to the many artists and galleries who contributed works to the auction.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO (MCASD)

Founded in 1941, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) is the preeminent contemporary visual arts institution in San Diego County. The Museum’s collection includes more than 4,000 works of art created since 1950. In addition to presenting exhibitions by international contemporary artists, the Museum serves thousands of children and adults annually at its varied education programs, and offers a rich program of film, performance, and lectures. MCASD is a private, nonprofit organization, with 501c3 tax-exempt status; it is supported by generous contributions and grants from MCASD Members and other individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. Dr. Hugh M. Davies is The David C. Copley Director and CEO at MCASD. Institutional support for MCASD is provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and the James Irvine Foundation.

www.mcasd.org

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