A.C.E. Series:
Emerging Artists at the Contemporary Arts Center
Since its founding in 1939, the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center has provided a platform for modern artists on the cusp — from Picasso and Miro, to Andy Warhol and Nick Cage. Among the few institutions in the U.S. that doesn’t have a permanent collection, the CAC works with artists to exhibit “What is being created at this present moment,” explains Raphaela Platow, Director and Chief Curator. With a long history of fostering visionaries before they’re well known, the organization typically develops a dialogue with a creator which often results in a survey exhibition of the artist’s work or a show of original pieces. “We are in constant flux; nothing stays in the building,” explains Platow, of the vibrant, artist-focused institution. “Most of the pieces in this auction came into being as commissioned works from relationships we’ve developed with artists.”
Previously based in different locations throughout the city, the CAC moved into its own Zaha Hadid-designed structure in downtown Cincinnati in 2003. The second building ever executed by the legendary architect — and her first in the United States — the now-iconic museum draws design references from Russian Constructivism, puzzled together in various cubic forms, with a black staircase that zig zags throughout its interior. “On the inside Hadid’s desire was to create an architecture that almost pushes you forward,” explains Platow. “We don’t have a white box here, it’s a unique architecture, so every exhibition project that we execute has to be done with the space in mind. The works in this collection — including pieces by Bernard Tschumi, Dasha Shishkin, Keith Haring, Michael Graves and Damian Hirst — are extraordinary pieces that artists created for us, and they were pieces that we hadn’t yet sold, or decided to keep in our own inventory for future fundraising opportunities. We’re this cradle for artists who you now find in history books.”
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
KitchenAid Artisan Series Yellow 5 Quart Stand Mixer With Accessories
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Henredon Houndstooth-Upholstered English Roll-Arm Easy Chair
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K Enameled Champagne Bottle Charm
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Elizabeth Lincoln for Rookwood Pottery Floral Design Ceramic Vase, 1930
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Drexel Custom-Painted and Parcel-Gilt Media Armoire, Late 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
English Cut Glass Decanters with Sterling Silver Rims and Decanter Tags, 1930s
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Watson Sterling Baby Utensils with Floral Motif and Dog Portrait
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
1950s Rhinestone Miriam Haskell Brooch
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Dee Sudbury Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting Of Flower Field, Late 20th C.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hermès "Les Cles" Burgundy and Gold Silk Scarf
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
18K Lattice Pendant Necklace
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Fred Aris Serigraph After Paul Klee "Figure in the Garden"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Jack Meanwell Abstract Oil Pastel Drawing, Late 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Large Louis XV Style Painted Trumeau Mirror
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Machine-Stitched Fabric 48-Star American Flag, Mid to Late 20th C.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Swedish Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Glass "Feathers" Etched Glass Bowl
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Bernhardt Baroque Style Walnut-Stained and Rope-Carved Armchair
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Citizen Two-Tone Eco-Drive Wristwatch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Painted Wood Rocking Horse
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Orrefors "Orion" Bowl, Marquis by Waterford "Gemini" Holder With Salt and Pepper
ZAHA HADID
Ten years ago, in partnership with Formica, the CAC invited famous architects with buildings in Cincinnati to create an object that could be “Sat upon, laid upon or played upon.” “Zaha came up with this amazing sculptural piece,” says Platow, of the chair-like work in the auction. “It was one of three that she made. Formica has one, Zaha installed one in her office, which is still there, and now, the third is up for sale.”
ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE
“The posters are interesting because they’re original pieces advertising the traveling exhibition that became a victim of the culture wars in 1989,” says Platow. The CAC was the second stop of A Perfect Moment, an exhibition of the artist’s work that traveled the country. Due to the explicit nature of some of the works, the Center and its director were charged with obscenity. A jury famously decided that Mapplethorpe’s works were not pornography, and that the institution had the right to exhibit expressions of all artists. “They’re incredible and rare collectibles that represent the right of artists to free speech, even if the work they’re creating is not liked by everyone,” Platow explains.
SHEPARD FAIREY
Fairey’s prints in the collection are from a show the CAC put on with the artists in 2009, shortly after he became nationally known for creating the Barack Obama’s “Hope” campaign poster. “He also did several murals throughout the city,” notes Platow. “And a signed one is in the sale.”