For immediate release

Contact: Capucine Milliot cmilliot@christies.com tel +1 212 641 5078

First Open
Post-War and Contemporary Art
Including 5 works of art sold to benefit The Trevor Project

Damien Hirst (B.1965) Rubidium Chloride, 2006 Estimate: $600,000-800,000

March 7, 2012 New York Christies First Open sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art on March 7 will offer a stimulating selection of 200 works of art including 45 lots from the Peter Norton Collection (see separate press release) and 5 lots donated by artists to benefit The Trevor Project, a life-saving organization. First Open is the perfect opportunity for new and established collectors who are eager to discover emerging artists and ready to explore lesser-known works by famous artists. The sale will feature works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselman, Yutaka Sone, Beatriz Milhazes, Milton Resnick and John Baldessari, among others and will be preceded by a public exhibition at Christies Rockefeller Center Galleries from March 3 to 7.

Leading the sale is Rubidium Chloride, a spot painting by Damien Hirst (B. 1965), dated 2006 (estimate: $600,000-800,000). 'I was always a colourist, I've always had a phenomenal love of colour' Damien Hirst declared at the occasion of the The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011, an exhibition occurring simultaneously at each of Gagosian Gallerys international locations through March 2012. He wrote in 1997, "I once said that the spot paintings could be what art looks like viewed through an imaginary microscope. I love the fact that in the paintings the angst is removed...If you look closely at any one of these paintings a strange thing happens: because of the lack of repeated colours, there is no harmony. We are used to picking out chords of the same colour and balancing them with different chords of other colours to create meaning. This can't happen. So in every painting there is subliminal sense of unease; yet the colours project so much joy it's hard to feel it, but it's there." Among the contemporary works being offered is Mark Webber, featuring an elongated, androgynous figure, by Elizabeth Peyton (B. 1965) (estimate: $200,000-300,000). With these series of stylized and idealized portraits of her close friends, boyfriends, and pop celebrities, either sleeping, reclining or sitting, Peyton has turned to the genre of the still life to explore its contemporary relevance. The sale will also offer a rare work by Ed Ruscha (B. 1937) entitled Blue Scream from 1964 (estimate: $150,000-200,000). Well known for his text paintings, Ruscha has constantly experimented with visual idioms and linguistic symbols throughout his career. For Blue Scream, he used lettering as visual poetry, typography and conceptual art.

In Prologue Series #1 (text from Ralph

Ellison), Glen Ligon (B. 1960) ponders what it means to be a painter, questioning the possibilities of his medium and the act of painting (estimate: $ 50,000-70,000). To address these questions, Ligon deals with the surface of the canvas. His process involves pressing tar or oilstick against a taut surface through a plastic alphabet stencil until the pigment in the letter space is fully registered. While the text is clear and visible at the beginning of the process, the slowly drying medium eventually binds to the stencil itself, obscuring the spaces between the letters. As the expression of the text against the surface becomes muddier, the image becomes more pictorial, more abstract and more painterly.

One of the very moving works of art included in the sale, is December 27, 1986, (from B.C. Series) by Hannah Wilke (19401993), an abstract watercolor painting of her face that was later exhibited as B.C. meaning Before Consciousness (of her cancer). The artist, who worked primarily as a sculptor, also produced many drawings, photographs, and videos that deal with social, political, and gender issues, was diagnosed with lymphoma a year after she completed this work and died in 1993 (estimate: $6,000-8,000). The sale also features a Body Print by David Hammons (B. 1942) (estimate: $100.000-150.000). Executed in 1991, the piece comes from the collection of Exit Art co-founders Jeanette Ingberman and Papo Colo, who curated a seminal exhibition of David Hammons' work at their gallery in 1989.

Property sold to benefit The Trevor Project

Roni Horn (B.1955) Ends of Rainbow Estimate: $4,000-6,000

Marilyn Minter (B.1948) Jim Hodges (B.1957) Jack Pierson (B.1960) Nail Biter Saying Goodbuy Self Portrait #16 Estimate: $6,000-8,000 Estimate: $30,000-40,000 Estimate: $15,000-20,000

Dahn Vo (B.1975) Mamy Poko Pants Diapers Estimate: $ 5,000-7,000

Christies is honored to offer five lots donated by artists Jim Hodges, Roni Horn, Jack Pierson, Marilyn Minter and Dahn Vo, to benefit The Trevor Project, a life-saving organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The works are estimated between $4,000 and $20,000. Christies is proud to support the life-saving work of The Trevor Project through First Open on March 7. It is an opportunity to enhance culture through art in order to make a difference in the world commented Sara Friedlander, Head of First Open.

Auction Viewing

March 7 March March March March March 3 4 5 6 7

10am - 2pm 10am - 5pm 1pm - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm

Christies New York, 20 Rockefeller Plaza

About The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, inschool workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a Champion of Change, The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention. Learn more at www.thetrevorproject.org About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewelry. Private sales totaled 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous year. Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers or sellers credits.

Visit Christies Website at www.christies.com Images available on request Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christies iPhone app

For immediate release

Contact: Capucine Milliot cmilliot@christies.com tel +1 212 641 5078

Works From The Peter Norton Collection

To be sold in the First Open sale

Fred Tomasselli (B. 1956) Multiple Landscape, 1995 Estimate: $150,000-200,000

Yoshitomo Nara (B.1959) Nobodys Fool,1998 Estimate: $20,000-30,000

Jim Hodges (B.1957) Heres Where We Will Stay,1995 Estimate: $400,000-600,000

March 7, 2012

New York Christies First Open sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art on March 7 will offer a stimulating selection of works of art including 45 lots coming from the Peter Norton Collection. First Open is the perfect opportunity for new and established collectors who are eager to discover emerging artists and ready to explore lesser-known works by famous artists. The sale will be preceded by a public exhibition at Christies Rockefeller Center Galleries from March 3 to 7.

Following the impressive results achieved by the first portion of the Peter Norton collection sold November 2011, which doubled its pre-sale estimate with a total of $30.2 million and set 15 world auction records; the First Open sale will present 45 works of art assembled over more than two decades by one of the most pioneering collectors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Many of the works represent the leading artists of the contemporary art world that Mr. Norton has supported since the inception of their careers including Janine Antoni, Sophie Calle, Chuck Close, Martin Creed, Wim Delvoye, Jim Hodges, Annette Messager, Mariko Mori, Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, Shirin Neshat, Catherine Opie, Cornelia Parker, Jim Shaw, Yinka Shonibare, Do Ho Suh, Fred Tomaselli, Kara Walker and Christopher Wool.

Among the array of highlights is a reimagining of an opulent nineteenth century Victorian parlor by Yinka Shonibare MBE. This rare large-scale installation explores the unsettling intersection of wealth, luxury, and colonialism. "The idea behind it is to draw a parallel with the relationship between the contemporary first-world and thirdworld countries. I want to show that behind excessive lifestyles there are people who have to provide the labor to make this kind of lifestyle happen" declared Yinka Shonibare. With his signature use of rich batik fabrics Shonibare scrutinizes the signifiers of national identity in the context of Britain's Imperial past. His perceptive depiction of the parlor of a wealthy Victorian gentleman speaks to the complicated and often symbiotic relationship between wealth, trade, nationalism and identity. By combining high art and popular culture in his distinctive way he is able to examine a different depiction of the way society functions. Victorian Philanthropist's Parlour, executed in 1996-1997 is estimated $120,000-180,000. The sale also features Jim Hodges' brilliantly crafted tapestry Here's Where We Will Stay (illustrated above). This ethereal assemblage of diaphanous silk and chiffon fabrics is a delicate, yet striking work which plays with notions of memory to act as a receptacle for countless personal histories. Comprised of dozens of carefully sewn together headscarves and other pieces of fabric which the artist collected over a number of years, each section is infused with the story of the person who owned it and the life they led. By combining these into one large work, Here's Where We Will Stay becomes as much a document of

social history as the traditional patchwork quilts and blankets that its form suggests (estimate: $ 400,000-600,000). Another highlight is Work No. 204: Half the air in a given space, by Martin Creed, (estimate: $80,000-120,000). Martin Creed's exuberant installation examines our perceptions of space by filling a room with balloons and drastically altering one's physical experience of the environment, as well as exploring the relationship between sculpture and architecture. Conceptually precise, yet constantly shifting, the parameters of this work are continually changing and adapting to an infinite number of factors both environmental and human. Auction Viewing March 7 March March March March March 3 4 5 6 7 10am - 2pm 10am - 5pm 1pm - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm

Christies New York, 20 Rockefeller Plaza

Note to Editors About Peter Norton A legendary figure in Californias Silicon Valley, Peter Norton created a series of highly successful software programs including the pioneering Norton AntiVirus, later merging his self-named company into Symantec. Bringing this same passion for inventiveness to the world of art, he became one of the most active and adventurous collectors of the work of emerging artists, especially those with fresh formal ideas and strong points of view. In 2000, over 1,000 works from the collection were gifted to a total of 32 institutions, large and small, in the single largest donation made of contemporary art. As a philanthropist, he has also made important contributions to schools and performing arts organizations in addition to serving as a trustee of various institutions, including, The Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. About the sale Works from the Peter Norton Collection, 8-9 November 2011 Nearly 60 lots were sold during the dedicated evening sale ($26,785,000) and in the day sale ($3,388,500) of Post War and Contemporary Art last fall for a total of $30,173,500. This portion of the collection accounted for 15 world auction records established for works of art by Sophie Calle, Tony Feher, Mona Hatoum, Barbara Kruger, Charles Ledray, Glenn Ligon, Christian Marclay, Paul McCarthy, Catherine Opie, Damian Ortega, Charles Ray, Yinka Shonibare, James Siena, Fred Tomaselli and Carrie Mae Weems.

About the Norton Christmas Project Every year since 1988, Peter Norton has commissioned a renowned artist to create a work celebrating the Holiday Season. These pieces, which have included uniquely crafted napkins, tea-cups, and music boxes, are designed to be interactive and playful. Christies is proud to have presented a retrospective of 23 Years of the Norton Christmas Project at Art Basel Miami Beach 2011. The retrospective included editions created by Marc Pally, Laurence Weiner, Kara Walker, Jim Hodges, Vic Muniz, Takashi Murakami, Yinka Shonibare, Christian Marclay and more.

About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous year. Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers or sellers credits.

Visit Christies Website at www.christies.com Images available on request Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christies iPhone app