14 December 2010 Fusion: Contemporary Art and Design

The week of sales began with an inaugural auction of Fusion; Contemporary Art and Design that brought $4,911,186, within the pre-sale estimate. The sale featured works that blurred the distinction between fine art and design, a phenomenon that has been a driving force in visual culture since World War II, and represented a unique collaboration between Sotheby’s Contemporary Art and 20th Century Design departments. Some of the works that best illustrate this theme include a Desk and Pair of Chairs by Donald Judd from the Collection of Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen that sold for $98,500, a Pair of Granite Chairs by sculptor and performance artist Scott Burton that achieved $104,500, and an iconic “Half Dollar Chair” by designer Johnny Swing that brought $65,000.