Photo Credits: Rommel Demano/BFA.com. Copyright BFA
This fall, Phillips and One Drop partnered on a special contemporary art auction bringing awareness to the global water crisis and making a positive change for people in need of access to safe water. Under the direction of renowned curator and critic Philipp Kaiser, Art for One Drop featured artists including Ai Weiwei, Carol Bove and Jenny Holzer, and, at the conclusion of a night of spirited bidding that saw a total $8.8 million raised, confirmed new world auction records for five artists: Nicolas Party, Ed Clark, Anne Imhof, Nairy Baghramian and Rita Ackerman. Art for One Drop represents a fundraising record for the organization.
"Guy Laliberté and his whole team at One Drop are true visionaries who have worked to create a difference in the lives of many, moving the dial on important issues that should concern us all," said Jean-Paul Engelen, Phillips' Worldwide Co-Head of 20th Century & Contemporary Art. "Phillips is honored to have been involved with One Drop and to have played a role in such a great sale. We are also grateful for the incredible generosity that we have seen from the artists and galleries who also helped to support the auction. Through all of our combined efforts, we were able to offer truly extraordinary works of art by some of the most significant artists working today. Their participation speaks highly to the art community's dedication to supporting causes that will bring awareness and change to regions throughout the world that need it most."
Guy Laliberté, Rashid Johnson, Kimberly Chang
Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil, One Drop Foundation and Lune Rouge, elaborated to the press: "We're thrilled with the incredible success of Art for One Drop, and are so grateful to the buyers, bidders, artists, art dealers, galleries, advisors and Phillips Auction House for joining us to make change possible. We'd like to thank all buyers who purchased the incredible art that was donated to support One Drop's mission.
"Art for One Drop was our first art auction, representing a great expansion of our philanthropic circle, and further solidifies my belief that art can be a great catalyst for change."
And this is only the beginning; all proceeds from the auction will soon be allocated to One Drop's life-changing work in Latin America, namely through its Lazos de Agua program, and will help provide access to safe water and sanitation to 200,000 people in dire need.
*One Drop Foundation is a registered and recognized charity in both Canada and the United States.