The Auctioneers

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Founders of Bogotá Auctions. Courtesy picture.
Founders of Bogotá Auctions. Courtesy picture.

Having been in the country for seven years, Anglo-German Benjamin Creutzfeldt proudly exposes a cultural venture which launches in Bogotá, this month.  Along with five partners – Pilar Cabrera, Camilo Chico, Timothée de Saint-Albin, José Dario Gutiérrez – all experts in various art forms, Benjamin is setting up the city’s first art auction house inspired by big names such as Christie’s operating successfully around the world.

Having had experience working at the head office of Christie’s as an auctioneer of Chinese antiquities and organising Europe’s first ever auction of Latin American art there, Benjamin’s experience, knowledge and passion for global art have given rise to the evolution of ‘Bogota Auctions’.  As a business man Benjamin noted that something was missing on the Bogotá art scene and despite the various charity auctions that take place throughout the year the scene seemed out of balance.

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A “sexy kind of business full of glamour and aristocracy” is what Benjamin hopes to create in Bogotá. By not having an auction house, the Colombian capital cuts itself off internationally and only a few exceptional Colombian artists are known in global art circles. The lack of auction house means art valuation in Colombia has no reference point and the art here remains very subjective with prices difficult to define.  Independent auction houses help the art market to auto regulate and aid the growth of business for galleries through the creation of synergy throughout the art scene of the city.

This venture hopes to showcase Colombian art and give it the prestigious stage it deserves. The first auction which will take place at the end of February so far contains thirty pieces of art, all by Colombian artists.  The auction will be held at the Museo del Chico with exhibitions of the art going under the hammer on 18th and 19th February.  The art can also be viewed online and will be available in a printed catalogue two weeks before the event.

As Benjamin explains the rules and business plan of the auction house including how many auctions they hope to have per year and the commission and premium they will charge the vendor and the buyer, he adds that its democratic nature, which in effect means anyone can go, gives it such an appeal.

The ambitious team hope to hold auctions every two to three months, increasing the number each year.  They do not wish to limit themselves to just art but are also interested in selling furniture clocks, cars and other collector’s items.

The setting up of this auction house is an exciting step for Colombian art and culture, bringing Bogotá’s thriving art scene to the forefront and hopefully attracting international attention.  As Colombia opens itself to the world, what better way to demonstrate its cultural riches than Bogota Auctions, a prestigious and important venture for the city.

To see upcoming auctions visit www.bogotaauctions.com

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