New York 09/22/2023 at 1:48 PM CEST
Art curator for a few days. That is the mission for which Sotheby’s has ‘signed’ Kevin Love, who has momentarily left the NBA courts to be the ‘curator’ of a bid at this renowned auction house choosing works by some of his favorite artists.
It is common for NBA players to share on social networks during their vacations images of lavish parties, luxury hotels or trips to some earthly paradise within the reach of few pockets.
However, very few would upload a photograph to Instagram – also on their birthday – posing with Ed Ruscha, a very important reference within ‘pop art’.
That’s what Kevin Love did a couple of weeks ago, one of the most complete and longest-lived interiors in the NBA in the 21st century and who is also a notable art fan and collector.
“What I look for in a work of art is that it makes me feel something, that it has a visceral response, a catharsis. That’s how I look at being a collector, at art and life in general,” said Love, 35 and now a player for the Miami Heat, in a recent interview on Sotheby’s website.
“I want to find works that really ‘speak to me,'” he added, indicating that he is very interested in the processes and media with which artists work in their projects.
Under the title “Contemporary Curated”, the New York headquarters of Sotheby’s has in recent years invited different personalities from the world of entertainment to be curators of this contemporary art auction.
Some of the previous ‘curators’ of “Contemporary Curated” were television star Oprah Winfrey, actor Robert Pattinson and DJ Steve Aoki.
However, this is the first time Sotheby’s in New York has worked with an athlete for this auction.
“We are absolutely excited to collaborate with NBA superstar and collector Kevin Love on this season of ‘Contemporary Curated,'” Haleigh Stoddard, Sotheby’s specialist who is in charge of ‘Contemporary Curated,’ told EFE.
“Kevin’s knowledge and deep appreciation of art is underscored by his strong belief in work that leaves a positive impact and we are excited to amplify his fine taste to the world,” he added.
ART IN THE FAMILY
A five-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who defeated Stephen Curry’s nearly invincible Golden State Warriors in a memorable Game 7 on the road, Love didn’t have to look far to find a model of an athlete. in art since his father, Stan Love, was an NBA player and is a lover of photography.
Furthermore, Kevin Love grew up in a very musical family environment since his uncle Mike Love was one of the founders of an essential pop band in the 20th century: The Beach Boys.
With this previous background and his work as a collector over the years, Kevin Love has chosen eight works for the catalog of “Contemporary Curated”, an auction that will be held next Thursday, September 28 in New York (from the 23rd to the 27th). the works can be seen in an exhibition).
Among these works are, for example, the paintings “Canoe with Figure” (1974) by Alex Katz and “Untitled” (2007) by Jennifer Packer, which, according to Sotheby’s estimates, could reach a price at auction of between one million and 1.5 million dollars.
Another painting, in this case “Club 55” (1990-94) by Ernie Barnes and which is a tribute to the legendary musician Marvin Gaye, could sell for between $800,000 and $1.2 million.
By the way, Barnes was also a figure with one foot in the world of sports and another in art since he competed in the NFL.
Among the pieces selected by Love for this auction also appear a photograph by Cindy Sherman, a sculpture by Antony Gormley and a work by Ed Ruscha titled “Me.”
“Ruscha brilliantly combines humor, wit and self-reflection. ‘Me’ is an emblem of his style and of the different interpretations of the text and visual tricks – all of which captivates me about his work. It is a very important part of my personal collection and who I am,” Love said.
Unfortunately, the center will not be able to be in New York for the auction as his sixteenth season in the NBA is just around the corner.
But it is very likely that between games, training and trips in search of the ring with the Miami Heat – last year they were one step away from glory by falling in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets -, Love will find time to enjoy the art and discover new works that awaken a “visceral” response in him.
2023-09-22 23:59:47
#two.. #Awarded #Kevin #Love
