Artist Decorated Eames Chairs For Auction Benefit Operation Design

above: Ideas Are Cheap Eames Chair by Joe Iurato

If you're like most design lovers, you either own or have always wanted to own a molded Eames Plywood Chair. Well, now's your chance to have a very unique one and benefit a good cause, all at the same time. From May 11 Through June 1st, the Public Works Department is featuring Eames Inspiration, an online ebay auction of customized Eames molded plywood chairs to benefit Operation Design.



Curated by Billi Kid and Luna Park, each chair has been decorated by various street and graffiti artists and the reserve price is set at $1,000 each. The chairs will also be featured in the windows of Barneys New York on Madison Ave and 61st.

Here's a look at all the chairs available for auction.

Left: Aakash Nihalani and right: Billi Kid

Left: Blanco and right: Cake

Left: Celso and right: Cern

Left: Damon Ganandes and right: Darkcloud

Left:David Cooper and right: Elbow-Toe

Left: James and Karla Murray and right: Joe Iruato

Left: Matt Siren and right: NohJColey

Left: Peru Ana Ana Peru and Skewville

Left: Sofia Maldonado and right: Stikman

Left: UR®New York and right: Veng


some detail shots for you...

above: detail of Elbow Toe's On The Wings Of Desire Eames Chair

above: detail of Sofia Maldonado's Caribbean Clouds Eames Chair

above: detail of Joe Iurato's Ideas Are Cheap Eames Chair

above: detail of UR® New York's Nyc Layers Eames Chair

above: detail of Matt Siren's Skullboy Takes A Seat Eames Chair

above: detail of Damon Ginandes' Awaiting Eames Chair

above: detail of James and Karla Murray's STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face Of New York Eames Chair


Start bidding here.


About Operation Design:

Operation Design offers students direct interaction with professionals and challenges young people in public schools, grades K-12, to put their creativity to practical, important, and real use.

Operation Design organizes architects, graphic artists, design professionals, construction professionals and related professionals to work with public school students to create motivating and inspiring spaces and projects.

Operation Design is an independent 501c3 not-for-profit organization based in New York City.

Gaga Gala For MOCA NEW 30th Items Go Up For Auction

As the foremost benefit event of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), the MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala which took place on November 14, 2009, featured Ballets Russes Italian Style (The Shortest Musical You Will Never See Again), a commissioned work by international artist Francesco Vezzoli starring Lady Gaga and dancers from the Bolshoí Ballet.






above: Vezzoli and Lady Gaga

Artist Francesco Vezzoli invited renowned contemporary artists and creators Miuccia Prada, Damien Hirst, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, and Frank Gehry to engage in his MOCA NEW Gala performance showcasing the world premiere of Lady Gaga’s new release, Speechless.




Each contributed unique elements made especially for the one-night-only production, including the Steinway Grand piano customized by artist Damien Hirst:



The dress donned by Lady Gaga was designed by Prada along with Vezzoli:


Architect Frank Gehry created a hat for Lady Gaga in his signature angular style:



Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin designed ballet costumes and masks for the event.




And of course, the requisite art-loving celebs were there like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (aka Brangelina):


Pharrell Williams and artist Takeshi Murakami, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale:

and lots more.

a little clip from Access Hollywood of the event for you:


If you missed the event, which of course most of us did, you can bid on some of the artist and designer contributed costumes and props from the Gala.

Here's all the images and details for you, including opening bids.

MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala Benefit Auction November 14- December 20, 2009
MOCA is proud to offer these extraordinary MOCA NEW objects, in addition to the exquisite masks and costumes worn by the Bolshoi Ballet dancers, in this special MOCA online auction. All proceeds will support the museum’s exhibition and education programming.


Auction Items:

Lady Gaga Costume
As the renowned headline performer at the MOCA NEW Gala, pop icon Lady Gaga was styled in an exquisite couture dress by Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli. A lyrical expression of the avant-garde, this singular design is an evocative reflection of the intermingling of theatrics and musicality that distinguishes the career of this eccentric songstress and a priceless remembrance of her one-night-only MOCA performance.


Costume Details:
•Dress made of printed doubled satin. Black and white photographic print.
•Chandelier overskirt.
•Plex boots with black satin bordersand and black satin small buttons, chandelier heels. (Size 37)

Category: Lady Gaga Costume
Value: $30,000
Minimum Bid: $20,000
Donor(s): Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli

Hat by Frank Gehry
A remarkable architectonic accessory, the sculptural hat adorning Lady Gaga at the MOCA NEW Gala is a special creation by Frank Gehry, known worldwide for his extraordinary ability to confound fixed notions of space and form. As the first art piece of its kind at MOCA, this distinctive headpiece is a unique artwork that combines the excitement of Vezzoli’s baroque discothèque with Gehry’s visionary approach to architectural innovation.



Category: Lady Gaga Hat
Value: $30,000
Minimum Bid: $10,000
Donor(s):Frank Gehry

Costumes for the Dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, by Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli
Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli contemporized the classical Bolshoi Ballet dancers for Vezzoli's MOCA New Gala performance with impeccable costumes that thoughtfully accentuated each movement, heightening the drama of the sensually refined yet subtly melancholic tale that unfolds on stage. Showing the designers’ theatrical side, these flawless fashions—limited in this auction to one male and one female garment—are stunning constructions made and worn exclusively for the MOCA NEW Gala.



Category: Bolshoi Ballet Costumes (Male and female costumes are auctioned separately)
Value of each: $15,000
Minimum Bid for each: $10,000
Donor(s): Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli


Female and Male Mask by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
Woven prominently into the dramatic narrative of Vezzoli’s Ballets Russes Italian Style, the magnificent facial masks guard the true identity of key characters while showcasing the creative sensibility of collaborating artists Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. The signature pair of masks in MOCA’s auction—male and female—reflects the unconventional mode of performative contemporary works that capture the gala’s unexpected climactic moment.

Female mask:

Male mask:

Category: Masks
Value of each: $5,000
Minimum Bid for each: $1,500
Donor(s): Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin

Condition of Online Sales:
Bids must start at the minimum amount stated on the individual artwork page.
All bids are binding.
Online bidding will close on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 11:59pm.
The highest online bids will be confirmed by MOCA. All property is sold “as is”.

Payment and Shipping Information:
Artworks should be paid for and Shipping arrangements must be made by Thursday, January 8th 2009.
Buyers are responsible for shipping and insurance charges.
Purchases are subject to California state sales tax.

For more information please contact Veridiana Pontes-Ring
at 213/621-1778 or vpontesring@moca.org.

The New Yorker has a great article about the event here.

Online bidding closes Sunday, December 20th at 11:59pm go here to register for bidding.

If you never saw the fabulous GREED project and exhibit by Francesco Vezzoli, check it out:

GREED: All About The Faux Fragrance Bottle, Posters, & Video

Bentley Designers Auction Their Art For Charity

On Tuesday, December 1st, Bentley Motors staged an exclusive art auction at Bonhams, London, to raise money for The Christie, a specialist cancer centre in Manchester, which treats 40,000 patients a year and is an international leader in cancer research.



Like all car designers, the Bentley designers began their training sketching and crafting models before actually designing a full fledged automobile. By drawing on their talents (pardon the pun), members of the styling and design team for Bentley Motors have created individual pieces for the auction in varied mediums including sculpture, acrylic paintings, digital art and photography.

The New York Times mistakenly reported that there were 22 items up for bid, but there were 40. I think they may have meant 22 designers.. but there are actually 25. I do not know the results of the auction or the bid prices, but here are ALL the items that were included.

Like all art, it's very subjective, but there are definitely some pieces that are far better executed than others in the auction. The sculptures, in particular, were very interesting. No doubt the result of years of clay car modeling.

clicking on the images below will enlarge them:

Dirk Van Braeckel, Bloodline of Bentley (Lot 18):

One-off framed digital print, 244 cm x 78 cm

Daniele Ceccomori, Timeless Mulsanne (Lot 3):

Laser cut Perspex and walnut veneered base, 65cm x 45 cm x 25 cm

Frederic Dams, Layered Portrayal (Lot 13):

Aluminium, leather, wood veneer, engine turned metal, automotive paint, lacquer, etched Perspex and acrylic paint, 87 cm x 60 cm. Etched glass kindly donated by Cutting Technologies Ltd and Engine turning donated by Frazero Ltd.

Frederic Dams, Mulsanne Cornering (Lot 34):

Acrylic on canvas, 170 cm x 80 cm

Frederic Dams, Dynamism of a Continental at Speed (Lot 43):

Sculpture machined from digital data, with vacuum formed acrylic, 70cm x 25cm x 17cm

Darren J. Day, In_spiration (no lot.#, this item was withdrawn from the auction):

Machined digital sculpture mounted on trimmed engine turned base with vertical mirror
34cm x 60cm x 30cm. Engine turning kindly donated by Frazero Ltd.

Simon Cooksey, Bentley 8 Litre (Lot 28):

Acrylic on canvas, 150 cm x 50 cm

Darren J. Day, Bentley R-Type Continental 1953 by H. J. Mulliner (Lot 32):

Framed photomontage, 153 cm x 104 cm

Darren J. Day, Bentley S2 Continental 1962 D.H.C. by Park Ward (Lot 33):

Framed photomontage, 153 cm x 104 cm

Vitalis Enns, Bentley Mulsanne Tape Drawing (Lot 8):

Black styling tape on Perspex, 220 cm x 70 cm

Vitalis Enns, Bentley at Le Mans (Lot 9):

Acrylic on canvas, 170 cm x 70 cm

Vitalis Enns, Bentley Speed 8 Tape Drawing (Lot 10):

Black styling tape on Perspex, 280 cm x 180 cm

Richard Gilmartin, The 6.5 Litre Blue Train car (Lot 11):

Acrylic on canvas, 180cm x 60cm

Richard Gilmartin, The Flowing 'B' (Lot 12):
This lot is made up of two pieces: 1. A mascot which can be fitted to a Mulsanne radiator shell.

Chrome and Perspex, 6cm x 7cm x 10cm

2. Sculpture: Machined Aluminium, Perspex and Piano Black, 15cm x 12cm x 10 cm
Manufacturing of the models kindly donated by Materialise.

John Paul Gregory, Le Mans One-Two (Lot 15):

Acrylic on canvas, 170 cm x 70 cm

Richard Killgren, Speed 6 (Lot 29):

Acrylics on canvas, 61 cm x 92 cm

Rajesh Kutty, Sculpture of Speed (Lot 19):

SLS protoype resin, coated with copper and chrome.
Model produced and kindly donated by Materialise.

Rajesh Kutty, Complementing Facets (Lot 37):

Acrylics on canvas, 183 cm x 60 cm

Rajesh Kutty, Bentley Imprinted (Lot 38):

Etching on anodised Aluminium with couloured grooves, 120cm x 50cm x 35cm
Etching kindly donated by Cutting technologies Ltd.

Crispin Marshfield, Art Deco Poster (Lot 25):

One-off framed digital print, 140 cm x 110 cm

Dominic Najafi, Meet The Family (Lot 24):

Acrylics on canvas, 200 cm x 70 cm

Dominic Najafi, Bentley S1 Continental Flying Spur_ A Timeless Design (Lot 42):

One-off framed digital painting, 100 cm x 40 cm

Robin Page, Bentley Mulsanne Sketch on Canvas (Lot 5):

Acrylics on canvas, 100 cm x 55 cm

Robin Page, Living the Dream (Lot 6):

Acrylics on canvas, 75 cm x 60 cm

Robin Page, Ambience (Lot 7):

Acrylic on canvas, 100 cm x 75 cm

Timothy Potts, Birkin 137 (Lot 2):

Life size bronze cast of Tim Birkin driving, Approx. 100 cm x 60 cm x 80 cm

Timothy Potts, Design Inspiration for Flying ‘B’ (Lot 39):

Bronze sculpture, 50cm x 25cm x 50cm

Jonathan Punter, Bentley Speed Form (Lot 4):

Straight grain walnut with a veneered face, 100cm x 50 x cm 15 cm

Jonathan Punter, Fast Lane (Lot 36):

Acrylics on canvas, 140 cm x 40 cm

Raul Pires, Automobile (Front) (Lot 21):

Acrylic & oil paint on printed canvas, 166 cm x 83 cm

Julien Plougastel, Bentley Embiricos Form (Lot 20):

Sculpture, machined from digital data, 120cm x 50cm x 35cm

Andrew Plumb, Mulliner Park Ward (Lot 23):

One-off framed digital print, 110 cm x 66 cm

Lisa Reeves, Bentley Interior (Lot 27):

Leather trimmed sculptural wall hanging, 90cm x 60cm

Gareth Thomas, Blower Bentley & Brollies (Lot 14):

Acrylics on canvas, 150 cm x 50 cm

Alex Watkin, Blue Train & Brooklands Ink Drawing (Lot 22):

Framed pen and ink drawing, 100 cm x 70 cm

Alex Watkin, 3 Litres & Speed 6 at Silverstone (Lot 40):

Acrylic on canvas, using pallet knife and brushes, 170 cm x 60 cm

Jakob Annermalm, Mother Gun Front (Lot 30):

One-off framed digital print, 123 cm x 70 cm

Jakob Annermalm, Mother Gun Rear (Lot 31):

One-off framed digital print, 123 cm x 70 cm

George Bowen, Brooklands Interior Painting (Lot 16):

Acrylics on canvas, 80 cm x 60 cm

Brett Boydell, The Flying 'B' (Lot 17):

Acrylics on canvas, 135 cm x 77 cm

Brett Boydell, The Flying Birkin (Lot 35):

Acrylics on canvas, 113 cm x 74 cm

Group Project, Pixelated Picture ( item not up for auction):

The idea behind this work of art was to create a piece everyone involved in the Art Project could contribute to. The use of a pixelated image allowed all the artists their own interpretation of the colours of the squares they were invited to paint. The image came to life slowly; gradually showing its beauty by drawing energy from the intriguing concept that the image only becomes truly clear from a distance. The exciting scene from a classic Le Mans race was used because of its atmospheric, contrast rich lighting quality. This piece was not included in the auction, but will remain at the Crewe factory as a reminder of the Bentley Styling & Design Art Project.


Bentley designer Richard Gilmartin (above) has been raising funds to support the charity since 2001 and is the inspiration behind the exceptional project. Working with his colleagues, Richard aims to surpass his previous fundraising achievements by auctioning this unique collection.

Bentley Motors