Pioneer & Founder of LAMA : Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Los Angeles Modern Auctions announces its 50th Auction.
scheduled for October 17, 2010. This auction will be LAMA’s 50th auction since opening in 1992, and will include offerings of iconic 20th century modern art and design, proving modern material is still a sought after commodity.
"There must be a collector’s gene that can be isolated. Perhaps it will eventually be possible to develop a pill, like a statin, that will not cure the collector, but it would allow them to keep their condition manageable."
above: Steve Salisian, circa 1965, ceramic vases (current LAMA auction, a YHBHS pick!)
Los Angeles Modern Auctions, Van Nuys, CA
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Peter has collected many various objects since the age of 6, including vintage toy cars, coins, stamps, and baseball cards, even antique beer cans. I'm thrilled to interview Peter about the idea of collecting, his personal highlights at LAMA, as well as his picks for the current auction.
As my career takes me further into the history of furniture and craft, I become more and more addicted, and increasingly thankful that LAMA exists here in L.A. It's a place to experience a large amount of work in one space. And, after the auctioneer states it is "sold," it will once again go into hiding, for maybe another 50 years.
Perhaps that is the beauty of it all? A disappearing act. Catch it while you can........
Thank you Peter.....
Frank Gehry Grandpa Beaver chair,
1987 cardboard
(not in auction)
What was the first important item you ever sold at LAMA that made you think, "Yes, this is what I was meant to do" ?
In our first auction there was a Frank Gehry “Grandpa Beaver” chair that didn’t have any interest at the preview. When it came across the auction block, I saw an expression on one man’s face in the audience that seemed completely surprised; like he had just realized how great it was in that instant. The auctioneer saw it as well and waited a few extra seconds before “passing” the lot at its reserve.
I just knew this buyer was going to bid, even though he had not previously planned or even noticed the piece before. I knew that instant that this format was how I was going to succeed.
Actor/Stuntman. This was one reason I moved to California. After making some awful, low-budget movies, I dedicated myself to antiques and design, which I had been doing well on the weekends and in my spare time.
Edward Ruscha, Vowel #58 U (From Vowels: Paintings on Book Covers)
August 6, 1996, Estimate 15,000 -20,000 (in current auction, one of Peter's picks)
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The psychology of a collector. Do you collect anything yourself? Do collectors have anything in common with each other?
I often answer this question by explaining I collect items that haven’t sold yet. BUT, I do have a nice collection (pieces not for sale) of Gio Ponti furniture and objects such as glass by Venini and enamels by Paolo di Poli.
"There must be a collector’s gene that can be isolated. Perhaps it will eventually be possible to develop a pill, like a statin, that will not cure the collector, but it would allow them to keep their condition manageable."
Evelyn Ackerman, California Poppies, 1970 embroidery (not in LAMA auction)
Do you feel that LAMA auctions has a "West coast/ California" vibe, and if so, what is this vibe? Any important California or West coast artist/designers you pay particularly close attention to?
The West coast aspect of LAMA is, in my opinion, our pioneering spirit. We were the first independent auction house that specialized in this field. Also, the first to create special themed sales, one-owner sales. Also, first to produce full-color catalogues and to use the internet as a promotional, selling tool.
There are many unsung California artists. For example, the designs of Evelyn Ackerman have been consistently increasing in value. Museums are beginning to show interest in acquiring her work, so this will probably ensure continued interest.
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I feel confident in stating that every collector enjoys "the hunt," aka "the obsessive search." What is the most bizarre or interesting place(s) you have gone to find works for the LAMA auctions?
I have flown to Buenos Aires, Cape Town, & South Africa on moment’s notice when rare objects are uncovered. I have also traveled to a Grand Rapids basement on a complete hunch, which turned out to be one of only three known surviving examples of a chair designed by Eames and Saarinen exhibited in MoMA in 1941.
Frederick Kiesler 1935-38. Cast aluminum nesting tables.
(not in current auction)
However, the most bizarre was a late night (on Halloween!) visit to a local couple’s house to uncover a previously undocumented example of Frederick Kiesler’s aluminum nesting tables - a very long story involving chanting and being anointed with oils.
Why an auction, why not a gallery/retail? In 1992 you changed from a gallery to an auction house. Any reasons? Other auctions houses, such as Phillips de Pury & Company, Wright Auctions, have been curating shows, do you see this ever happening with LAMA?
Gallery/Retail was boring! I am an auction junkie of sorts and never liked the slow daily pace of the gallery. Also, the volume of an auction means more revenue.
We have curated many important events. Some were sales others just because we believed in the artists.
1999: “Fabulous Fifties”, California Heritage Museum, Santa Monica, CA
2000: “Work from the Office of Charles & Ray Eames”, LAMA Gallery
2001: “New designs by Byran Thompson”, LAMA Gallery
2002: “Gio Ponti and figurative paintings”, ACME, Los Angeles
2003: “Design by Decades” West Week, Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood
2005: “New Designs by Dutch Artists”, ACME, Los Angeles
2006: “R.M. Schindler: The Gingold Commissions”, Pacific Design Center, LA
2010: “Jews on Vinyl”, Skirball Cultural Center, LA
2010: “Gaetano Pesce: Pieces of a Larger Puzzle”, Italian Cultural Institute, LA
David Hockney , 1978-80 #23 of 34 Lithograph
Made of Thick and Thin Lines and a Light Blue and a Dark Blue Wash"
estimate 25,000- 30,000 (in current auction, one of Peter's pick)
If you could, what are 3 items in the current auction, that are closest to your heart, and why?
1. Giacometti table and lamp (It is rare with proper provenance)
2. David Hockney Swimming Pool (This is quintessential LA)
3. Ed Ruscha “Vowel” (First original work by this artist we have ever sold. One of my favorite artists of the 20th century.)
Diego Giacometti, Pedestal table with Harpies Studio first designed in 1955 for Cecil Beaton. Estimate 70,000 - 90,000 (another of Peter's picks)
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You cosponsored a Gaetano Pesce show this year at the Italian Cultural Center, which was personally one of my favorite exhibits this year in Los Angeles. Why is his work so important to you, and to the design world?
We produced the event and co-curated the show with John Geresi. We also designed, published and editioned the catalogue for the exhibition.
Pesce has devoted his life to a seemingly impossible task: creating unique pieces for mass production. His “fish designs”, I believe, is one of the most important breakthroughs design of the 20th century; tens of thousands of pieces, each one different from any other.
Is furniture meant to be used, or should we treat it very carefully, and refrain from using them? Thoughts? (such as a Pesce table, a McMakin chair, Gehry lounge chair... etc.
Use and care are not mutually exclusive. I use all of the pieces in my house and recommend my clients to do the same. One piece on a pedestal is okay, but a house full of furniture you can’t sit on or touch, really belongs in a museum. Pesce, McMakin and Gehry will all tell you to use their designs, not to be afraid to relax and enjoy their function as intended.
Archizoom Associati Pair of Mies chairs Poltronova designed 1969
(in current auction, YHBHS PICK!)
LAMA is celebrating its 50th auction on Oct 17th. Congratulations! Any highlights?
Highlights in the history of LAMA:
Eames Auction, July 2000
Playboy Auction, June 2002
Prestini Commission, December 2003
Atlantic Richfield Corporate Art Collection, 1999
Hi
Anytime you felt like quitting?
I felt like quitting, and indeed did take time off when I lost my brother and partner to AIDS in 1993. I studied and worked at Sotheby’s Institute in London for a year, which gave me back the passion for auctioneering.-----------------------------------------
Los Angeles Modern Auctions announces its 50th Auction.
scheduled for October 17, 2010 This auction will be LAMA’s 50th auction since opening in 1992, and will include offerings of iconic 20th century modern art and design, proving modern material is still a sought after commodity.
Thanks Peter and Elizabeth!
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YHBHS Interview
Peter Loughrey, founder of LAMA Los Angeles Modern Auctions
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