For its first art exhibit, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation didn’t do too bad. The MTV RE:Define exhibit and auction held Saturday at the Goss-Michael Foundation in Dallas was a sold out event and raised more than 770,000 for MTV’s organization. The group works to empower youth in fighting the stigma of HIV/AIDS. On a less arty scale, they are also the people behind this.
As deep pockets bid for some 30 original works by the likes of Harland Miller, Adam Ball and Ben Eine, artist Damien Hirst scored big with his butterfly painting with cubic zirconia (talk about multimedia), which went for $240,000 to an unnamed phone bidder. And if that’s not exciting enough, Indie rockers The Boxer Rebellion capped off the night with a live show.
“We are absolutely thrilled with Saturday’s auction results and delighted that we have been able to raise such a significant amount for the Staying Alive Foundation,” said Georgia Arnold, executive director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. “Thanks to the enormous generosity of each and every artist and gallery, and of course the bidders, sponsors and silent auction donors, the money raised will enable young people to continue their amazing work in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in local communities around the world.”
Host Simon de Pury, chairman of art auctioneers Phillips de Pury & Company added, “On entering the Goss-Michael Foundation’s magnificent building I instantly felt a great vibe. The crowd was very handsome, the music pounding and the handpicked art looked fabulous on the walls. For an inaugural event, it was an outstanding result. I can only congratulate everyone involved in this project. It is my hope that this could become an annual event.”
We hope so too, and can we get on the guest list?
