innate saturation, 2016
Lot Number 1
Aluminum foil, aluminum coating, and oil paint on tar paper
72 x 53 in (182.88 x 134.62 cm)
Signed on verso
Estimate $35,000 – $40,000
Absolut’s luxury vodka Elyx and non-profit organization Water For People announce the celebration of their partnership on the opening night of Art Basel, the world’s premier art fair, at the exclusive art-deco Nautilus South Beach. Pioneering gallerist Sean Kelly, the leading online auction house Paddle8 co-founder Alexander Gilkes, international marketer and Absolut Elyx CEO Jonas Tahlin and Water For People CEO Eleanor Allen will co-host the charity cocktail event on Thursday, December 1st. During the event, guests will enjoy bespoke cocktails and will have the opportunity to view a painting created by artist Hugo McCloud, which will be sold via Paddle8 to raise funds for Water For People.
Widely acclaimed for his large-scale abstract paintings and sculptural objects that investigate an enduring desire to uncover beauty in the overlooked and abandoned, McCloud’s work pushes the boundaries of utilitarian materials and confronts aesthetic perceptions. The auction of McCloud’s painting will begin on November 22and conclude on December 6, exclusively online through Paddle8. McCloud’s exhibition at the Sean Kelly gallery will run from December 10th to January 21st. Experiential lots, including- a cocktail class at the private residence of Jonas Tahlin, CEO of Absolut Elyx, in Los Angeles will also be up for auction. The event will also feature an exciting music line-up with a DJ set from MeLo-X performer and recent Director of the short film, “McCloud In Process”.
The annual celebration is part of a five-year partnership between Elyx and Water For People to provide safe water to more than 100,000 people worldwide. Proceeds from the auction could provide over 2,000 people with access to safe water for generations to come. This year the philanthropy will bring together tastemakers from around the country, creating the Impact Circle- a group designed to support philanthropic initiatives throughout the year. Members of the Impact Circle include actor Scott Eastwood, stylist Jeff Kim, designer Julia Clancey, designer Stacey Bendet Eisner, journalist Alicia Quarles, model Danielle Knudson, photographer & filmmaker Francesco Carrozzini, journalist Lesley Abravanel, DJ & actress Mia Moretti, gallerist Lauren Kelly, and ballerina Simone Messmer.
“We are thrilled to be back at Art Basel with Water For People to raise awareness for the global water issue,” said Jonas Tahlin, CEO of Absolut Elyx. “Through art, we hope to inspire others to participate in this global dialogue in putting an end to water poverty within our lifetime. Our partnership with Water for People, Sean Kelly, Hugo McCloud, and Alexander Gilkes will shine a spotlight on the campaign while raising money to affect real change.”
“Water For People and Elyx have embarked on a long-term partnership based on the social impact of our shared values of integrity, creativity, and sustainability. We are on a 5-year journey together to bring access to safe water to 100,000 people in the nine countries where we work. The fundraiser at Art Basel in Miami connects art to the work we do and is an excellent example of our partnership in action,” said Eleanor Allen CEO of Water For People.
“We are delighted to be co-hosting this extraordinary event for Water for People with our colleagues at Elyx for the second year. With the proceeds raised from the auction of Hugo McCloud’s work, we are certain that this initiative to bring clean, safe drinking water to those who need it most will be a huge success. Hugo and the gallery applaud Elyx for their commitment to this outstanding cause,” said Sean Kelly.
The philanthropy partnership with Water For People launched in September of 2015 and has raised over $500,000. For every vodka bottle sold, Elyx will provide access to one week of safe water (140 liters), and for every item sold in the Elyx Boutique, Elyx will provide access to one month of safe water (560 liters) to someone in need through Water For People’s work. Elyx will also offer an interactive Elyx cocktail tasting experience at the Miami Beach EDITION during Art Basel- featuring world renowned bartenders Alex Kratena, Simone Caporale, and Monica Berg as well as a pop-up holiday Boutique at the Spectrum Miami Art Show.