Xu Bing

The Living Word

Found at Sothebys, Hong Kong
Contemporary Chinese Art III - The Estella Collection, Lot 1151
9. Apr - 9. Apr 2008
Estimate: 3.500.000 - 4.000.000 HKD
Price realised: 7.607.500 HKD
Xu Bing
B. 1955
THE LIVING WORD
the sketches signed in pinyin and dated 2000, framed under Plexiglas
Executed in 2001, this work is number one from an edition of four. It is accompanied by a set of four preparatory sketches.
carved acrylic characters, paint, collage
largest, 23 by 23cm.; 9 by 9in.
smallest, 13 by 19cm.; 5 1/8 by 7 1/2 in.
sketches, 22 by 38cm.; 8 5/8 by 15in.

A top price for Xu Bing

This artwork by Xu Bing achieved an unexpectedly high price at Sothebys in Hong Kong in April 2008. In the Contemporary Chinese Art III - The Estella Collection auction, the work The Living Word sold for HKD 7,607,500.00 (€ 626,954.17) - well above the upper estimate of HKD 4,000,000.00. This high result makes The Living Word the most expensive artwork by Xu Bing that we have observed at auctions so far.

Ein Spitzenpreis für Xu Bing

Dieses Kunstwerk von Xu Bing erzielte im April 2008 bei Sothebys in Hong Kong einen unerwartet hohen Preis. In der Auktion Contemporary Chinese Art III - The Estella Collection wurde die Arbeit The Living Word für HKD 7.607.500,00 (€ 626.954,17) versteigert – und damit weit über dem oberen Schätzpreis von HKD 4.000.000,00. Dieses hohe Ergebnis macht The Living Word zu dem teuersten Kunstwerk von Xu Bing, das wir bisher bei Auktionen beobachtet haben.

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