AmfAR 2022: These exceptional assets that raised $19 million
On the sidelines of the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which ended on May 28, amfAR, one of the most important American foundations for medical research against AIDS, repeated its charity gala on May 26. Here is a look at the works auctioned.
It was in the gardens of the prestigious Eden-Roc Hotel in Cap d’Antibes, not far from Cannes, that the amfAR auction took place. . And the year 2022 marks a record year: the American foundation against AIDS has managed to raise 19 million dollars (17.7 million euros) during this auction. This is 10 million dollars more than last year, when the 2021 edition managed to raise 9.3 million euros.
This year, the goods of exception put to the auction were a little different. Works of art, luxury trips, fashion pieces or even privileged meetings with American celebrities were sold last Thursday evening for the benefit of AIDS research.
Like the Cannes Film Festival, amfAR got in on the current NFT trend with a surprise sale not listed in the auction catalog, which achieved the record of the evening. The American artist Jeff Koons has indeed sold one of his works, an NFT made from the sculpture Moonphases, for 2.1 million euros. The latter will be sent to the Moon by NASA.
“I wanted to create a historically significant NFT project rooted in humanistic and philosophical thought. Our achievements in space represent the unlimited potential of humanity. Space explorations have given us a perspective of our ability to transcend the constraints of the world. These ideas are at the heart of my NFT project, which can be understood as a continuation and celebration of humanity’s ambitious achievements within and beyond our own planet,” he said of his work.
A series of photographs featuring Andy Warhol and amfAR patron Elizabeth Taylor sold for more than $250,000, or 232,337 euros. A luxury trip to the Galapagos Islands, priced at $909,000, was also auctioned by renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury.
Also, the guest of honor of the charity gala, the actor Robert De Niro, came to auction a work of his father, a painter: a photo painted by the latter, which sold for $534,900, or nearly 500,000 euros. The lucky buyer of this work will also share a lunch with the American actor in one of his New York restaurants.
A collection of 30 luxury fashion items, which included a men’s suit in light gray satin by Balmain, an Alexander McQueen wedding tuxedo made exclusively with lace and a Givenchy long-sleeved ribbed sweater sold for $855,000, or 795,000 euros.
In addition, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange, auctioned off a precious custom FTX diamond necklace to support amfAR, acquired for $133,000. Made from 18-karat white gold and palladium alloy, it featured 12 carats of diamonds as well as the iconic FTX logo.
Finally, Baz Luhrmann, who came to present his new feature film/biopic Elvis at the Festival, also attended amfAR to auction off an Elvis guitar. The guitar was sold for the sum of 187 000 dollars (173 800 euros), and Luhrmann also offered to the buyer of the guitar to make a film via Zoom.
Oh hey 👋 @bazluhrmann @tomhanks #amfARCannes #CureAIDS
Photo credit: Getty pic.twitter.com/ITL3l5h0mH
— amfAR (@amfAR) May 26, 2022
Having gathered more than 800 guests, the majority of which were American, the amfAR 2022 was the not-to-be-missed event of this Cannes Festival.
Tom Hanks, Leonardo di Caprio, Eva Longoria, Naomi Campbell, and Vanessa Hudgens were all present, and were able to attend several spectacular musical performances by Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Charli XCX and a surprise performance by Matteo Bocelli.
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Front page photo: © amfAR
