News > Autumn Auction on 1st November

Autumn Auction on 1st November

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Art auctions – where does the value and magic of art lie?

Piia Ausman with 21 years of experience with art as the founder of Haus Galerii.

This autumn, the art auction of Haus Galerii will be held on 1 November at 8 PM in the gallery’s premises located in the Old Town of Tallinn. Besides the auction exhibition opening on 5th October, the auction works can also be browsed on the gallery’s website here.

On the picture: Endel Kõks. Kaks moosekanti (Pierrot ja Arlekiin).

Through the times, art auctions have been one of the most important factors in determining the value of art as events where works are presented to the public with prices that may often seem incomprehensible even before the start of the bidding. Add to this the emotions of the buyers and the price hikes taking place in the auctions, where these numbers may often even triple, and it all becomes even more confusing. What is it that costs when it comes to art? What makes it an object of desire, a collectible, awakening in us the passion of obtaining a seemingly useless piece of the world someone has created, either on canvas, paper, cardboard, cast in bronze or chiselled in marble? Clearly there is no reasonable answer to this question.

Relating to art and collecting it is a deeply emotional affair, where any explanation seems futile. However, anyone who has, even once, experienced the magic of art, which makes one lose themselves in the landscapes captured in pictures, where senses and ideas break out from the limits of regular consciousness, might understand it. To look at a picture and get lost in its story and message, which are suddenly strangely familiar, seems astonishing. Art’s silent speech, addressed towards everyone, with its ability to touch each one of us deeply, personally and individually, is fascinating.

Paradoxically, the magical phenomenon of art, being very far from the material world, has made it one of the world’s most sought after material assets. Wanting to own or be close to something which, through its essence, makes us explore, feel, sense, reminisce and experience the greater existence of life, is a persistent human desire.

In each and every cultural space, art carries value both in its price and message, with which it reflects the society around it. The same goes for Estonia, which regardless of its small size has and has always had a surprising level of creative concentration and quality. And the latter, in particular, is what professionals like to highlight about our art – quality, being one-of-a-kind, not replicating the art trends prevalent in the world like a prudent pupil, but interpreting it in a unique manner. Art auction exhibitions, as small reviews of art history, are fittingly illustrative and educational in this context, first and foremost looking at the special features of Estonian art and its relation to world art history. The exhibitions showcase almost 50 works from private collections on a timeline – these are works coming from someone’s wall, attic or closet. In addition to what is expected, there are always new discoveries at the auctions – lost or unfamiliar works that surprise the audience and also provide an enriching experience for art scholars.

The current auction selection of Haus Galerii is, again, a reflection of art history. The offers include works starting from Balto-German moods, through impressionism and up to the innovations of modern art with cubism, pop art and hyperrealism. The auction is mainly characterised by a series of unique and early works, that are not unveiled often, but always anticipated with festivity. There will be surprises by Eerik Haamer, Nikolai Kummits, Johannes Võerahansu, Valdur Ohakas and others.

One could continue the list of authors and descriptions, as each of them deserves a closer look, but personal experience will always prevail over any words one could say. The auction exhibition is open to the public in the gallery from 5 October.

Art invites everyone to experience, observe, interact, learn and understand, rewarding these endeavours with a deep sense of reality and creating magic that can be experienced by the creators and the audience alike.

Estonian art does not stand out for its excessive use of colour or bold emotion. Its main value lies in the deeper foundation layers of the picture, somewhere in the inhibited, yet powerful spheres of perception, where the keen observing eye can be bound for quite a bit of time. Our art does not put pressure on the viewer, but invites them in with respect – the one who looks, will see... the one who keeps silent, will hear. And nothing could express more reverence for the spectator than taking into account their intention and leaving space for their ideas and choices.

Haus Galerii is the founder of Estonian classic art collections and has been holding auctions for 21 years already. Each spring and autumn, an intriguing and fascinating exhibition of auction works is unveiled at the gallery, presenting a look into the history of Estonian classic art. There are no unintentional works in the auction. The offering only includes the top tier works of the art market that have earnt the approval of professionals. The works are presented chronologically, with the earliest ones originating from the 19th century and the more recent ones from the last decade of the 20th century.

Auction catalogue can be viewed here. 

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On the picture: Paul Burman. Linnavaade.

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