Maurizio Cattelan - 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale New York Thursday, May 17, 2018 | Phillips
  • Provenance

    Donated by the Artist

  • Catalogue Essay

    “Inspired by Joseph Beuys’ quote ‘everybody can be an artist’ I like to think that ‘everyone can be a collector’.”
    – Maurizio Cattelan

    Maurizio Cattelan has always been the shrink of the art world: through is work, the Vices and Virtues of the art world, and the world in general, are exposed.

    After declaring his retirement, Cattelan embarked on a series of metamorphosis that placed him in a territory between art and communication. On this special occasion, Cattelan brings his Museums League series all together for the first time, the scarves suggesting that the art world is in fact a land of closet “hooligans” or simply, very passionate fans of art. Weaving together the real world with the fictional world of the arts, the football world with the museums’ “teams”, Cattelan once again shifts his point of view and his artistic practice.

    This complete series of Museums League scarves acts as tool for recycling the energies within the art world with the proceeds of the sale going to support the Brooklyn Museum’s acquisition fund for young artists.

    Even if retired, the YIR (young Italian rebel) of the art world is not shy to maintain his role as one of the most innovative artists of our time, understanding that beyond the glamour, the arts remain a delicate environment where even a small gesture can help balance its fragile ecology.

    – Francesco Bonami


    The present work, sold to benefit the Brooklyn Museum, brings together the complete suite of Maurizio Cattelan’s Museums League scarves. This “art for all” project is the first part of his larger Made in Catteland initiative, which is dedicated to supporting contemporary art. Devised by Cattelan in collaboration with design house Seletti, Museums League is a project where the artist has created tributes for contemporary art enthusiasts to support their favorite art institutions.

    With museums increasingly acting as reference points for communities, places where a sense of identification, passion and faith take place, Cattelan looks to create an object that engages with connoisseurs and dilettantes alike and represents their passion for the arts. With Museums League, Cattelan appropriates the celebratory symbolism of an alternative contemporary space, the football (soccer) stadium. Inspired by football team scarves, Cattelan’s scarves celebrate that same sense of support and belonging, with the artist’s trademark humor and pop savvy. Each scarf encapsulates the institution defining features or “chants”.

Property Sold to Benefit the Brooklyn Museum

38

Museums League

36 scarves
each scarf 72 x 8 in. (182.9 x 20.3 cm.)
Executed in 2018, this TEST is a unique set formed to benefit the Brooklyn Museum and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

Estimate
$20,000 - 30,000 

Sold for $27,500

Contact Specialist
Amanda Lo Iacono
Head of Evening Sale
New York
+1 212 940 1278
aloiacono@phillips.com

20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale

New York Auction 17 May 2018