CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN LIVE AUCTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CINICINNATI—The Contemporary Arts Center announces the results of the auction and exhibition FORM: Contemporary Architects at Play. Ten artworks, exclusively designed for the CAC in Formica brand materials, were offered in editions of three and one artist proof. The works are on view in exhibition through August 31. The live sale was conducted by Richard Wright, a renowned Chicago auctioneer, May 10 at the Zaha Hadid-designed Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art.

These results represent an enormous achievement for the Contemporary Arts Center. CAC raises over $2 million each year in private, foundation, corporate and member support to offer exhibition and education programs and for operations. The revenue from the sale will help CAC meet overall fundraising goals for fiscal year 2008.

The Contemporary Arts Center raised $425,000 from the auction and sale of the artworks. This remarkable success reflects strongly the momentum within the institution and the excitement for our mission in the arts and local community.

But the monetary value of the galas results only tells one part of the story. The rest of the story is about a vision, a powerful idea, the creativity of world-renowned architects, the generosity of Formica Corporation, the ingenuity of the fabricators, the talent of CAC staff, the commitment of the board and the outstanding value these original commissions add to the field of contemporary art and design. CAC demonstrated that it is at the forefront of presenting excellence in contemporary art, and that Cincinnati can enthusiastically support such an ambitious project.

Alice & Harris Weston Director and Chief Curator Raphaela Platow says, I still find it most impressive how this project came together the way it did. It is a reflection of a very integrated way of thinking through our projects and initiatives. It is not simply a fundraiser with works of art, but many components aligned like stars in the sky. This fundraiser/benefit is part of who we are as an institution, relevant in the international art and architecture world but deeply rooted in Cincinnati. To work with international architects who have built here, and Formica, a local company with a global reach, speaks to this loudly and clearly.
 

	Peter Eisenman, EISENMAN ARCHITECTS Chair #1, 2008, Solid Surfacing by Formica, color Arctic (102), steel, 18 x 18 x 18 in. (closed), 18 x 18 x 34 in. (open) This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Peter Eisenman and Timothy Newton Sale: $18,000
	Michael Graves, MICHAEL GRAVES DESIGN GROUP J Chair, 2008, Veneer by Formica, color Indian Ebony (V8455-WX) in Wax finish, ColorCore2 by Formica, color Spectrum Blue (851-FV) in Velour finish, medium density fiberboard, steel, painted wood, 38 x 42 x 34 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $25,000
	Zaha Hadid, ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS Cirrus, 2008, Laminate by Formica, color Black (909-90) in Polished finish, stained medium density fiberboard, approximately 96 x 96 x 96 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $200,000
	Thom Mayne, MORPHOSIS Untitled, 2008, Solid Surfacing by Formica, color Arctic (102), wood, steel, 96 x 40 x 30 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Image courtesy of Morphosis. Sale: $45,000
	Bill Pedersen, KOHN PEDERSEN FOX ASSOCIATES PC TransFormica, 2008, Solid Surfacing by Formica, colors Black Lava (501), Nickel Mica (901), Pearl Mica 900), and Arctic (102), approximately 96 x 24 x 36 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Unsold. CAC is receiving offers on this work of art.
	Laurinda Spear, ARQUITECTONICA Trelleaf, 2008, ColorThrutm Compact by Formica, colors Organic Green (6904-FV) and Caf (1903-FV) all in Velour finish, ColorCore2 by Formica, colors Lime (4177-FV) and Spectrum Yellow (7940-FV) all in Velour finish, Laminate by Formica, color Organic Green (6904-58) in Matte finish, approximately 51 x 72 x 16 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $30,000
	Bernard Tschumi, BERNARD TSCHUMI ARCHITECTS Typogram, 2008, ColorCore2 by Formica, colors New White (7223-90) in Polished finish and New White (7223-MC) in Microdot finish, plywood, PVC, approximately 90 x 36 x 24 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $30,000
	Jaime Velez with Jennifer Kolstad, SKIDMORE OWINGS & MERRILL LLP Dancing Line, 2008, ColorCore2 by Formica, color New White (7223-MC) in Microdot finish, plywood, 64 x 24 x 37 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $15,000
	Massimo Vignelli, VIGNELLI DESIGNS, INC CuboSeat, 2008, ColorCore2 by Formica, colors Folkstone (927-MC), New White (7223- MC), and Black (909-MC) all in Microdot finish, plywood, approximately 127 x 42 x 30 in. (as displayed), 30 x 30 x 30 in. (individually). This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $30,000
	Buzz Yudell, MOORE RUBLE YUDELL ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS Sunergy, 2008, ColorThruTM Compact by Formica, colors Black (909-FV) and Caf (1903-FV) all in Velour finish, steel, 71 x 26 x 32 in. This work is number one from an edition of three and one artist proof. Sale: $32,000

TOTAL $425,000 All photos by Tony Walsh except where noted.
 

Participating Architects
Peter Eisenman, Eisenman Architects
Michael Graves, Graves Design
Zaha Hadid, Zaha Hadid Architects
Thom Mayne, Morphosis
Bill Pedersen, Kohn Pedersen Fox
Laurinda Spear, Arquitectonica
Bernard Tschumi, Bernard Tschumi Architects
Jaime Velez, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, LLP
Massimo Vignelli, Vignelli Designs, Inc.
Buzz Yudell, Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners

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