Strange Series of Events Surrounds the Sale of “Weltempfänger”
A sculpture by renowned German artist Isa Genzken, titled “Weltempfänger” (World Receiver), found itself at the centre of a mysterious and controversial saga as it was abruptly withdrawn from a Sotheby’s auction. The series of events leading to this unexpected turn of events included a television appearance, scrutiny over the seller, and the intervention of the artist’s lawyer.
The Enigmatic Sculpture
“Weltempfänger,” created in 2011, is a concrete block adorned with two antennae protruding from its surface. This intriguing artwork had been assigned the prestigious Lot 1 spot in an online auction organised by Sotheby’s Cologne office. The listing stated that the piece came from “an important private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia,” with an estimated value of 50,000 euros. However, Sotheby’s provided minimal details, only revealing that the withdrawal was not due to concerns regarding the sculpture’s authenticity.
The timing of the auction was particularly notable, as it coincided with the ongoing acclaim received by Genzken’s current survey at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, where other “Weltempfänger” sculptures were also on display.
The TV Appearance
The controversy surrounding the sculpture began when it was discovered that “Weltempfänger” had recently appeared on “Bares für Rares,” a popular German TV series aired by ZDF, often likened to the Antiques Roadshow. In this show, participants bring items they believe to be rare and valuable, hoping to sell them to experts. The episode featuring the Genzken sculpture aired on September 6, while Sotheby’s auction began on September 14, concluding on September 21.
The individual who presented the sculpture on the show was Jörg Friedrich, an intensive care nurse, who claimed to have received it as a gift from Genzken as a token of appreciation for his care. Friedrich sought a minimum price of 30,000 euros for the artwork, but it was ultimately acquired by Susanne Steiger, a German jeweler, for 16,000 euros.
Uncertainty Over Ownership
The identity of the seller at Sotheby’s remained shrouded in mystery, as the auction house did not disclose the owner’s name, contrary to standard practice. Sotheby’s provided provenance information that appeared to support Friedrich’s account, indicating that the sculpture had moved from the artist’s studio to a private collection in Berlin as a gift. The work’s authenticity was not in question, as Sotheby’s noted its registration number in a catalog of Genzken’s works managed by Galerie Buchholz, her representative.
Intervention by the Artist’s Lawyer
The withdrawal of the Genzken sculpture from the auction was reportedly instigated by the involvement of the artist’s lawyer, although the exact circumstances leading to this decision remained somewhat unclear at the time of reporting.
Isa Genzken’s enigmatic “Weltempfänger” continues to captivate the art world, not only for its artistic merit but also for the perplexing series of events surrounding its attempted sale at Sotheby’s. The artist’s lawyer’s role in this intriguing episode remains a topic of curiosity as art enthusiasts and experts seek to unravel the full story behind this artwork’s journey from the small screen to the auction block.
Feature Image: Isa Genzken. Courtesy: PHOTO SWEN PFÖRTNER/PICTURE ALLIANCE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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