This past week, Christie’s (the global art auction house) and Takashi Murakami opened a limited preview of the earthquake benefit auction that featured work from contemporary artists such as Aya Takano, Yoshitomo Nara, Damient Hirst, KAWS, and was curated by Murakami himself. The benefit, which is expected to raise 5 million dollars, was created to bring aid to those who were and still continue to be adversely affected by the earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011.

After the auction, proceeds will be donated to The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Global Giving and International Medical Corps. When asked to comment on the positive impact such an auction can have, Takashi gave honest and wise words about the effects of what he believes is a society that continues to be negligent as to the causes of terrible natural disasters: “The damage which resulted from the recent earthquake was great and yet, there are other disasters occurring somewhere in the world every day. If we do not address the root causes of the chaos which arises from these disasters, both natural and man- made, then our problems will continue reoccurring and their severity will only grow worse, eating further away at the heart and mind.”

Viewing took place from October 26-28 at the Gagosian Gallery, and the pre-sale exhibition will begin on November 4. The main auction is set to take place on November 9 at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza location beginning at 9:30 a.m., and will be ceremonially opened by actor Ken Watanabe, who will read a Japanese poem in honor of those who lost their lives.

 

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