Jesse James
Christie’s Hong Kong is gearing up for quite the auction later this month. The auction house is bringing Takashi Murakami and Pharrell Williams’ ‘The Simple Things’ sculpture to auction. The stunning piece is expected to bring in up to $3.8 million USD at the themed evening sale dubbed “HI-LITE.” The work takes a unique look at how the most luxurious, highly-valued things in life are the simplest. ‘The Simple Things’ sculpture boasts Murakami’s signature character, Mr. DOB, with seven objects inside its mouth.
Each item was hand-picked by Pharrell Williams, representing what the singer and producer uses on a daily basis. The design features a can of Pepsi, a cupcake, Johnson’s baby lotion, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, a bag of Doritos chips, a Trojan Magnum condom, and a Billionaire Boys Club sneaker. The sculpture features 26,000 diamonds, precious gems, and gold by Jacob & Co. The luxurious approach gives these everyday objects a new significance and meaning. The character’s mouth features 14 spotlights that illuminate the objects below. A jeweled can of Pepsi is a unique touch.
Asia Chiao, Associate Specialist of Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art at Christie’s Hong Kong, spoke about the sculpture. Asia stated: “A bejeweled can of Pepsi draws our attention in a way that a regular soda can would not, challenging us to reconsider the value of everyday joys and pleasures.”
The ‘The Simple Things’ is expected to go up for auction on November 23rd at Christie’s Hong Kong. Take a closer look at the piece in the images below and expect to hear much more on this coming very soon. Keep it locked with The Culture Curators for more from the art department coming soon.
Photos via Christie’s Auction House
