The artwork, by the most famous street artist in the world Banksy, known for its sudden and partial self-destruction (remotely controlled from the room as documented in a video on the web), after being purchased for GBP 1.042.000 at Sotheby’s in 2018, returns at the same auction house Thursday 14 October 2021.
Three years later the girl with the balloon that escapes into the sky no longer exists, because she has transformed into another concept: love is in the bin. As the work left the room with the amazement and drama of those present, unaware of the provocation taking place, it now returns as it is, however changing the concept and meaning but increasing its veneration.
The current owner, three years later, should earn and contemporary art celebrates a further provocation, or a further financial and economic step.
This work will take the stage away to other interesting artists for example Alighiero Boetti, Enrico Castellani, Gerhard Richter, Piero Manzoni, Kazuo Shiraga, Yayoi Kusama, Bridget Riley … but we are all ready to underline a new scenario determined by the market of art and business.
Questions could be interesting such as … “is this art?”, “does provocation pay?”, “are we faced with a system controlled and determined by third parties?”, “are we free to create and determine or decide others?”, “would you buy that work again?”, “why would you compete to bid that work?”, “are we talking about provocative inventiveness already seen or business even if the artist is a street performer?”, “after three years, the whole operation, from self destruction – to the new title – up to the sale, could be a hype?” … etc. etc. …
The answer, remembering an Italian tv journalist of past decades is … “I don’t know”… but adding today… “otherwise they make me / us close forever”…
To you … women and men with available money, Museums, Investment Funds, Banks, Politicians, Artists, Gallerists, Human Beings …
the difficult choice is posed in a silver tray just for you … but not for me.
Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction
Live Auction: 14 October 2021, 18:00 BST, London.
Banksy (1974), Love is in the Bin
Signed on the reverse, spray paint and acrylic on canvas mounted on board, framed by the artist. Decommissioned, remote controlled shredding mechanism remains in the frame. Frame integral, 142 by 78 by 18 cm. 60 by 30⅞ by 7 in. Completed in 2018.
Estimate: GBP 4.000.000 – 6.000.000
This work is unique and is accompanied by a Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity.
Gift from the Artist to a private collection.
Sold at Sotheby’s, London, 5 October 2018, Lot 67. Acquired at the sale by the present owner.
Exhibited: Baden-Baden, Museum Frieder Burda, Banksy @ Museum Frieder Burda: Love is in the Bin, February – March 2019.
Stuttgart, Staatsgalerie, March 2019 – February 2020 (long-term loan).
by Alain Chivilò
