Seriously, all you have to do is show up!

We are holding a raffle this evening for a framed print of Ansel Adams image taken entitled Cattle in South Farm, Manzanar Relocation Center, California from 1943.  All patrons are eligible to win.  We will draw for the winner after the close of the silent auction.

Here’s more about the piece,
“Cattle in South Farm, Manzanar Relocation Center, California Ansel Adams, 1943”

In 1943 and 1944, Ansel Adams, America’s best-known photographer,
documented the relocation of Japanese-Americans during World War II to an internment camp in California at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. His pictures of daily life at Manzanar were at first quite controversial in wartime America, but have since provided incredible insights and greater learning to generations new and old.  Adams regarded the U.S. government relocation program as a great injustice and felt these photographs were “…from a social point of view… the most important thing I’ve done or can do, as far as I know.”

This beautifully printed and framed piece will be available for raffle at
the end of the evening. All Auction attendees receive a raffle ticket.
Good luck!

I find this so fascinating… maybe because this image was actually taken in Savannah at the childhood home of Flannery O’Connor, one of my favorite authors.  The medium is amazing too; it’s an Encaustic Photographic Print on Luan Board.  To learn more click here.

Mother’s Bed

Tobia Makover is an internationally award winning fine art photographer who has exhibited around the world, notably at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Les Ateliers de L’image in St. Remy, France, PH-Neutro in Verona, Italy, the Griffin Museum in Boston, and AIPAD in New York. Makover received a B.A. in Communications and Sociology from American University, Washington, DC, and an M.F.A. in Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA.

I woke up this morning to the news that Sotheby’s had staged the biggest art auction in their 268-year history, led by the sale of a Mark Rothko for a grand total of $75 million. Bidding for the Rothko masterpiece No. 1 (Royal, Red and Blue), seen below, started at $28 million, and quickly climbed the numbers, far surpassing the estimate of $35-$50 million.

My former Sotheby’s colleagues and I quickly took to Facebook to comment on the Contemporary sale. Remarks such as “I can’t believe the Pollock went for so little” and “I knew the Francis Bacon would do well” soon followed our posts. And yet, inevitably, there is always the usual observations from people who were disgusted at the final sale price. One gentleman wrote, “If I had that much money, I would use it to buy myself a mansion…or buy food for a third world country.” (Side note – A bit of an oxymoron, don’t you think?)

The psychology behind art auctions is often studied, and when it comes down to it, there really is no one explanation for why people buy and sell art. In a new report entitled “Profit or Pleasure? Exploring the Motivations Behind Treasure Trends” only a tenth of those questioned said they bought art purely as an investment, whereas 75% cited enjoyment as the key. Procuring a piece of art from an auction increases that enjoyment, because their is more vibrancy and excitement in the purchase, as opposed to walking into a gallery and acquiring a piece.

While I can completely understand the disdain that a majority of people have towards the amount of money spent at the profitable auction house giants, one must keep in mind that The Light Factory’s Annual Auction is used to support a non-profit museum, and is the only fundraiser to help sustain our outreach and education programs, as well as our exhibits. It is also my sincerest hope that you, as the guest, find a piece of art at our auction that brings YOU enjoyment. I want you to feel the “high” of coveting and finally placing the winning bid on a piece that you will cherish for years to come. It’s a great feeling – and one that doesn’t evaporate any time soon. And while I highly doubt that we’ll sell anything for $74 million (free champagne for all if that happens), I hope that you enjoy the excitement and vibrancy that an art auction brings to the guest. Maybe then you’ll be able to understand why some people spend millions of dollars on art- except in this case, you can feel even better because it’s going to a great cause.

Come, have fun, place your bids, and hold your breath. It’ll be a great time!

I thought I might share some quick “FAQs” about the Auction… no more excuses.  Get your tickets!

How do I get tickets to The Light Factory 31st Annual Art Auction?
Tickets for the Auction are available online.  Click here to purchase yours before they sell out!

Where is the Auction this year?
The 31st Annual Auction will be at Grand Central located at 1000 Central Avenue, in the Plaza Midwood area of Charlotte.  The Auction is not being held in the Extravaganza Depot!

I am not a serious art collector. Why should I go?
The Light Factory Auction is a cool event to see great art. It’s also a great place to start a collection. While much of the art sells for thousands of dollars, there is also exceptional work from emerging artists that you can get at a great price – sometimes less than $100! There is no substitute to having original works of art on display in your house, apartment, condo, office or any spare wall around. The only way to know what you like is to start looking. The Light Factory Auction features a sales team that can answer questions about the art that you see. Challenge us! We’re here to help.

I would love to buy some art, but I can’t make it to the Auction. Can I bid by proxy?
Sure! Call us at 704-333-9755 and we’ll assign you a proxy. Tell us what pieces you have to have and how high you are willing to bid.

The Light Factory specializes in fine art photography and film? Is that all there is at the Auction?
Heck, no! We do have a super selection of photography, as well as some digital video, but there is also painting, watercolor, and more.

What should I wear to the Auction?
That’s one of the great things about The Light Factory’s Auction. Since we’re known for being cool, pretty much anything goes. You are just as likely to see someone in cocktail attire as you are to see jeans. The focus is the buying of the art, so wear whatever makes you feel like spending some cash to support The Light Factory.

Is there food?
You bet! Come hungry and thirsty. There will be some complimentary adult beverages, but there will also be a cash bar.

Have more questions? Contact us

I’ll spare you the photos of my dog, Selwyn, but will post one of the most creative “pet portraits” I have seen.  Check this image out from the artist couple from Houston, Hillerbrand+Magsamen.

This image called “Cerberus” is from the “House/hold” photograph series which is portraits of their family.  Here’s what they say about it:

These images playfully capture slices of our daily life with surreal viewpoints and dark humor inspired by actual events. We are interested in the identity of family and how that is communicated as middle-class Americans living in a suburban home with two children, a dog and too much stuff. Those things that we have worked so hard to obtain become both the burdens and joys in our lives. Titled after literary and mythological characters, the charged personal narratives of our family speak to the structures of identity politics and consumerism.

I can relate.  Click here to learn more about these talented artists and their dog.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Bank of America for two photogravures from Edward Curtis!  If you are not familiar with Edward Curtis, let me explain why this is just a big deal:

Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952) became one of America’s finest photographers and ethnologists.

In 1887, he began to investigate the Native Americans living on the Seattle waterfront, winning awards for his work. His goal was to salvage a heritage from oblivion, to document all the tribes in North American that were still intact. He spent the next 30 years photographing and documenting more than 80 tribes west of the Mississippi, from the Mexican border to northern Alaska.

Between 1907 and 1930, Curtis’ work was bound into 20 volumes titled The North American Indian; each volume was accompanied by a corresponding portfolio of at least 36 photogravures.

We have two GORGEOUS pieces by him this year. Come to the Auction and see them in person.  Click here to learn more.

Watching for the Salmon–Quinault

Kamagwaih–Cascade

OK, I have received a couple of excuses why people can’t come to the Auction.  Though you’re off the hook for one of the funnest nights in town, that doesn’t mean you can’t bid!  Though we don’t take bids online, we do offer proxy bidding.  If there’s a piece you HAVE to have, give me a call and I can set you up with someone to bid for you.  All I need is your credit card number, your limit and starting bid.

I’ll take good care of you I promise.  Click here to find me.

Though The Light Factory Auction is mostly photography, there are a few surprises of other mediums.  An interesting cross-over piece we have this year is a piece by Stanley Kubrick, the well-known filmmaker who actually got his start as a photographer for Look Magazine.  I think you can really see his “still” training in his films.  What about you?

This year is a wonderful piece called “Young Girl in Classroom, Chicago Illinois.”  I love how this one shot tells such an interesting story I’d love to know.  Join us at The Light Factory Auction to learn more.

About Stanley Kubrick

Although best known as a world famous filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick began his career as a photojournalist.  Kubrick received his first camera as a birthday gift from his father when he was thirteen. He also watched films religiously, often spending more time in movie theaters than in the classroom. When he did show up for high school, he worked as staff photographer for the student newspaper.

After selling an unsolicited photograph to Look in 1945 for $25 (the Daily News only offered him $10), Kubrick began delivering short picture stories to the magazine. When he graduated from high school, Look offered him a job.  In 1949, Kubrick was sent to Chicago to shoot pictures for a story called Chicago—City of Contrasts. This image, Young Girl in the Classroom, is part of that series.

Kubrick went on to become one of the 20th century’s greatest filmmakers with classic titles such as Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1975), The Shining (1980), among many others.

To learn more about this piece, click here.

From amazingly talented photojournalist Nanine Hartzenbusch…

Nanine specializes in custom documentary family portraiture but has worked with magazines, newspapers and non-profits to produce images. She was a staff photographer with “New York Newsday,” “The Associated Press” in Philadelphia, and at “The Baltimore Sun.”

Here’s what she has to say about “Faded Lights”
On the docks of Bowens Island, we stumbled upon this delightful corner of distressed wood, broken windows and bulbs that spelled “Sophisticate.” This scene begs my curiosity of what was there before. I can only imagine its past glory, as it now lives on weather-worn slats amid the gulls, pilings and gently lapping waters.

Click here for more.