Visionaire collection at auction
By Nadine Kam
Swann Galleries
Visionaire issues are “albums of inspiration” reflecting a collaboration of artists, designers, writers and photographers. Each issued is unique, built around a theme. At front is a deluxe monogrammed portfolio by Louis Vuitton, created to house a particular issue.
For those interested in collecting a piece of fashion history, New York’s Swann Auction Galleries is hosting a Photographic Literature and Photographs Sale on Dec. 11, spotlighting issues 1 to 50 of Visionaire (Lot 267), a collection of the extraordinary art and fashion publication — artworks themselves — worth an estimated $25,000 to 35,000.
Visionaire features artist collaborations and elaborate packaging for each of its uniquely themed issues. Each issue is conceived as “an album of inspiration,” incorporating the work of renowned artists, designers and photographers, crafted specifically for the publication. Among the designers and brands who have participated in the creation of the publications are Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang, and François Berthoud, along with photographers such as Mario Testino, Mary Ellen Mark, Bruce Weber, Nan Goldin, Nobuyoshi Araki, and James Nachtwey.
The issues have typically employed multiple materials, including a luxurious Hermés leather travel pouch containing postcards from around the world, a Tiffany’s box (the post-9/11 “Love” issue) with an Elsa Peretti heart, a Levi’s One-Pocket Sack Coat, Diana Vreeland’s newly disclosed memos, the first battery-operated publication, and an inkless issue. The issues were created between 1991 and 2007.
The auction will also include such imagery as Herb Ritts silver print “Madonna, Hollywood (1986),” edition notations 8/25, in pencil, estimated to sell for $4,000 to 6,000. (Lot 388)
Other works up for grabs:
Weegee’s “Woman in Ruffled Bikini / Acrobat,” two silver prints from the late 1950s to early ’60s, estimated to sell for $2,000 to $3,000. (Lot 359)
Édouard Boubat’s “Paris” (Lovers), silver print with the photographer’s signature, dated 1960; printed in the 1980s, estimated to be worth $2,500 to 3,500. (Lot 364)
Brush up on more photo history at www.swanngalleries.com
