On May 16th, Artcurial will host C.R.E.A.M., a unique and pioneering retrospective auction looking back onto 3 decades of urban culture in the United States.

This event will only be revealed one week prior to the public exhibition and ten days prior to the auction. Through the prism of the works of art and inescapable destiny of the Supreme brand, Artcurial, already a precursor in Urban Art promotion throughout the international art market, is considering the emergence of urban culture as an artistic and fundamental societal factor in the recent evolution of western societies.

«Now a worldwide manifestation, urban culture was developed in the United States representing art (with artists such as Kaws or Barry Mc Gee), music, fashion, skateboard and countless every day, now cult objects.

In 30 years, icons of this new creative universe have invaded our society, becoming collector items. »

Fabien Naudan, Vice President 20th Century, Artcurial

« Similar to the Beautiful Losers exhibition of 2004, C.R.E.A.M. looks back to the origins and multiple accents of the protean urban scene that showcased iconic American East and West-coast artists of street culture and all of its derivatives. Artists such as Barry McGee and Todd James opened the way to the current development of Urban art. »

Arnaud Oliveux, specialist Urban Art, Artcurial

A first-time project on Urban Culture

In the past three decades, what started out as a protest movement from the minority communities evolved into a new style of artistic expression, then a mainstream culture currently irrigating all creative sectors of contemporary society.

While the 1990’s were experimental, particularly with the development of an alternative underground arts and music scene, urban culture begins to assert itself in the year 2000.

Little by little, experimentation makes way to a more official format that appears in galleries and concepts stores such as Colette in Paris. A business emerges. Growing exponentially in the following decade, it takes on a life of its own. The artistic approach is now organised, globally promoted. Early creative adventurers become unavoidable prescribers, defining the new order and international taste.

For the first time, a traditional auction will present the true DNA of this urban scene. It covers all sectors from Urban Art to streetwear, focusing of the last 3 decades of urban culture in the United States (New York and Los Angeles).

Richard Prince, Barbara Kruger, Futura and many others fed the scene with their codes, aesthetics and visual punch-lines. Barry Mc Gee, Kaws, Phil Frost, José Parla or Neck Face effortlessly took the lead, propelling visual limits of this remarkable urban energy even further.

Can we define the sources, the markers, the icons of this now deified universe? How did this "school of re-appropriation and diversion" become the creative sap of contemporary creation art or mode today? "Fooled you" could be a logo on a Supreme tee-shirt.

Through a set of close to 150 lots, including original works by Richard Prince, Barry McGee, José spoke and Futura, prints and sculptures by Kaws, Todd James, Christopher Wool and Barbara Kruger but also an exclusive selection of rare and coveted Supreme objects and clothing, a tribute to the past 30 years of creation.

Artistic testimonies of this period mostly represent everyday objects, now collector pieces. They are coveted by a whole generation of collectors from 15 to 50 years of age, who have shared the emergence and recognition of this urban culture. They identify themselves with a certain lifestyle and are also recognized in design pieces by Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé. It is this universal and communal spirit that Artcurial wished to transcribe in the catalogue with atmospheric photos, prone to mix genres and faded borders.

Artcurial has been accompanying this environment for more than 10 years as a precursor, now an integral part of contemporary art. Recent records obtained by the Urban Art department demonstrate this trend, with pieces such as Dark continent of king by Dondi White, sold for a record price of €97,500 , Rodeo Girl by Bansky for €379 500 € or the spectacular Companion by Kaws for €380,000.

Informations

Public exhibition in Paris:

11 May, 11am-6pm

12 May, 11am-6pm

14 May, 11am-6pm

15 May, 11am-2pm

Auction in Paris:

Wednesday 16th May – 6pm
View Catalogue

Contact
Carine Decroi