Cheerio Old Blighty

This morning was a bittersweet goodbye to my home for the last few months. The familiar excitement of Chapel Hill awaits me when this plane lands, but I’m already a lil nostalgic for London, the friends I have made abroad and the just-plain good memories that I’m taking home with me. I spent my last day in London at the Tate Modern on the river Thames with my friend Hasabie. We took the morning to see Damien Hirst’s exhibition at the Tate museum. Hirst is……kinda nuts. The show featured his avant-garde work that emerged in the 90’s and has yet to stop raising eyebrows. Google-worthy, A Mother and Child Divided is one work that you might call “outside the box.” Too ironically, the installation is the artistically dissected body of a cow and her calf, preserved separately (insides and all) in four tanks and quite defined by the boxy space and watery substance Hirst has immersed them in. Both animals are split down the middle, divided by the physical space and me as I walked between them with my usual critical eye. But, two hours later, I found some form of appreciation,  not for his aesthetics, but the certain desensitization that Hirst flaunted. Quite the experience- definitely a grand finale for me. And, in anticipation for the questions from all you curious friends and family, this has been my favorite part of London. Not just Hirst, but all the art I’ve been exposed to this semester. Through an art history class and work at Sotheby’s I’ve simply been, really lucky. London’s art world is vast, intricate and often teetering on the edge of sanity, but after three months, I’m finding that this is what “I will never forget.” My level of appreciation and understanding has been among one of the many things I’ve grown into this semester. I think its fair to say, my time here has resulted in the epiphany my parents have been waiting on for quite a few years now and I’d like to say I have done a lot of maturing in London. Immersion in a new culture and living and working in a city has had a big impact on everything about me and I am grateful for that effect. I have discovered that studying abroad has undoubtedly been the greatest learning experience of my life thus far- I hope everyone finds themselves in a similar experience at some point in their life. Thank you so much to all of the great people I have encountered throughout my travels for making it such a great trip. And the biggest thank you of all time to my mom, dad and Gran who made this trip possible.

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Honors Semester and London’s weekend retreat to the Cornish countryside over Easter Weekend was as all of our London Experiences, “one for the books.” I enjoyed the rugged, eco-friendly Woodland Valley Farm lodging, a relaxing spa day in St. Ives and the massive bio-domes that make up the Eden Project, but the time spent with my peers was the highlight of my trip to Cornwall. This program is a melting pot of diverse students from different backgrounds, distinctive interests- socially and academically and most apparent, assorted personalities. A small program of twenty-four without a partner university in the UK, we have spent most of the semester bonding with each other over academic forum posts, internship woes and walking tours in London’s fabulous weather. The seventy-two hours spent together this past Easter holiday was inevitably a time of bonding between the group, whether we welcomed it or not. Our first night on the farm, a thirty minute walk to the nearest pub and rounds of drinks to follow, brought us together for the next two days. I felt that this night I got the chance to relax with my peers and forget about the work awaiting my return in London. Long bus rides to and from St. Ives the following morning and exploring the town if only for the sake of leisure also gave me some time to get to know more people on my program. One being Sarah Leonard- winner of seven group superlatives, most notable “Class Clown.” Like any trip there were ups and downs. Many grumpy moods were shared among us in uphill battles, quite literally the hike up to Minack Theatre on the cliffs of Landsend in Cornwall. These times we hard but they allowed

me to appreciate the better moments we have had together, both in London and on this excursion. Studying abroad in a foreign country places students outside their comfort zone, but the peers and friends we share it with are one of the greatest experiences some of us will take away from the semester. Our weekend spent together in Cornwall proved to me just how close I have become with some of these people and how they have positively influenced my time in London.

Barbara and R Visit Londontown

My blog posts have become few and far between as I try to finish out the semester strong. I was relieved to take a break from school and work to welcome my lovely mother and sister to my temporary home in Bloomsbury. Determined to cure them of their jet lag- I dragged them through a sleepless 48 hours from RDU to an auction at Sotheby’s as they arrived last Thursday. The past week, among all other things tourist, we visited the London Eye, David Hockney’s exhibit at the Royal Academy, did some shopping at Harrod’s and got to see Picasso’s Modern British Art exhibition at Tate Britain. It’s said that “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” And  in their week spent here we couldn’t even begin to exhaust London, although, they might tell you that I tried my best. I was happy to show them my world in London, but some of the best moments spent were lounging in Hyde Park, eating organic veggie meals at The Orchard and just catching up. It took a trip to London to truly make me realize just how much I miss the wonderful family I left in Chapel Hill.

Spain in a nutshell

A really tiny nutshell- like a pistachio maybe? As expected, my week long spring break traveling through Spain was “one for the books”. Madrid, Seville and then Valencia, what a great way to warm up the first week of March. So many stories to tell and so many stories that will never leave our travel group. The spainish club scene at Kapital in Madrid, the Cathedral de Sevilla, beaches, botellon (street drinking) and seafood paella of Valencia- so much to take in. But in reflection, my trip would have been nothing without the great people I traveled with and met along the way. Lots of ups and downs as with any trip created on a college budget, but the girls I was with made all the difference. Thank you Natalie, Hass and Madhu for everything- y’all are awesome!

One highlight of my trip included the most delicious food of my life at the tapas bars in Seville- four days of eating, drinking and walking the centre ciudad. My favorite tapa- grilled eggplant and carrot (shocking right?!). Our first meal in Sevilla was followed by a horse drawn carriage ride from the Sevillan horse, Enrique. I also got to catch up with my friend Blakely Terell from Appalahian State who is living it up in Seville this semester. At our awesome hostel, The Garden Backpacker, we met two boys, one from App State who was, coincidentally, my next door neighbor in Boone. Nice to know its a small world after all.

I could write on, but I won’t because a picture is worth a thousand words and I took about 500 on this trip alone. Here are a some of my favs. This weekend I’m heading north- something I rarely do- to visit the high halls of Cambridge. Cheers- to the freakin’ weekend!

I ❤ Madrid

Despite the untimely discovery of bank fraud, a permanently closed account and no access to money for the next week- I can’t stop smiling in the Spanish sunshine. Madrid was a night full of tapas, sangria, dancing and good friends. This morning we made it to Casa de Sorolla to see the artist’s original house, now turned museum. Lots of beautiful art that I have seen in my research at Sotheby’s coming to life in Spain. Just caught the bus to Seville with about 30 seconds to spare, we should be there in 6 hours. Happy spring break “holiday”

Jetting off to Spain

First stop, Madrid. These are the only pictures I’m posting the whole trip. Enjoy!

Laughable

I’ll be the first person to tell you that I don’t like kids, but this list of notes  will make you laugh. British or American. Addendum 26 to the list, King Curtis’ sticky note to Joy– “I am not lisining to ur rooooles.”

The infamous "sticky note to Joy" and the King of Havin' Fun

Intern, shmintern

My sixth week as a Sotheby’s intern was busy with work. The 19th Century European Paintings Department that I work under is preparing for two auctions. The first is the Orientalist Sale in April (unfortunately, three days after I return to the States).

The head of my department, Adrian Biddell, in action

Orientalist Art is a very specific genre of art that refers to art and artists that focused on the Middle East, North Africa and East Asia in the 1800’s. Delacroix,  Ingres, Ludwig Deutsch and Ralli are all European Orientalist artists that I have researched in my time at Sotheby’s and in my Art HIstory Class. The enthusiastic academic “triangulating information”, if you will.

The most exciting detail of my week was  a trip to the basement of Sotheby’s New Bond Street Office. The basement of the building holds all art brought in for auctions; millions of dollars in paintings and valuable pieces of history. In only a day’s retrospect, I can appreciate that I have just seen something that only a few interns will see in their lifetime. In the basement, I tried my best to become a fly on the wall  and watch my coworkers “do their thing.” There is a lot of speculation and debate on the valuation and price range of each lot of art in a sale.  The specialists discuss minute details like a small retouching and the style of a signature in the the terms of tangible art work feet away from me. This prompted me to think about how the value of art is determined. Pricing of art is influenced by the condition of the work, the era in which it was created, the popularity of the artist, detail of the painting and the history tied to the work. The market for art is constantly fluctuating, relative to these standards. It seems that the business strategy for valuation is based on intensive research of artists and art as well as a general understanding of client interests. At Sotheby’s, I have found that  art and business relate in a powerful way.

Client Development is supported by an entire development within Sotheby’s. Although my internship in 19th Century has a strong art focus, I am finding that the fundamentals of client development are ever-present in my work too. I spent Tuesday researching the legal terms of use policies for the Gallica Museum and National Library of Vienna.  We want to reproduce some of their images and use their published writings in a sale catalogue. In preparing for an art auction, the department must design and produce a catalogue for potential customers. This is a book of information on each lot for sale that provides essential context for both external and internal use. The research on terms and polices I contributed was important in using outside information and images in the catalogue descriptions. Our department needs this information to create a bio of sorts for artwork. This said bio will serve as a lot description in the catalogue for the Orientalist Sale.  Each lot requires hours of research, planning, and then some. But in the long-term this work  is vital because catalogues are useful resources for buyers and “a satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all.” Creating a great sale catalogue for clients is almost as important the content of a sale. To sell a painting our experts must market the artistic and historical importance of a lot- it is much more than just aesthetics.

Chickadees exploring London

This weekend was a warm and beauuuutiful in London so I guess I’ll have to tread lightly with my cynical comments. Between work, class, jetting of to Paris and field studies on the weekends I’ve had little time to explore everything in London so this weekend I was a lady of leisure. A group of us went to Portobello Market in the famous Notting Hill borough for grocery shopping and a unsuccessful search for Julia Roberts.

The colorful Notting Hill

Everything was “DElish” and we made a great dinner before going to theatre (is this London posh?). Agatha Christie’s play “The Moustrap” is the longest running show in history- going on 60 years. I’m not you’re usual theatre-goer but this play is a murder mystery and I was tempted.  Remember Who Killed Mr. Boddy in the parlour with the candlestick?”  Now imagine the game Clue as a play, good stuff.  I also got the chance to visit David Hockney’s “The Bigger Picture” at the Royal Academy this past Monday.

Outside the Royal Academy, no photography, "please"

one of Hockney's iPad Extravaganzas

He works in many mediums including…. his iPad. Steve Jobs meets David Hockey and it’s beautiful. Lots of landscapes and colors to appease the eye. I am working on a more detailed reflection of my experience that I’ll post to my academic blog, in an attempt to keep things short an sweet for your own benefit. But a few pictures should suffice for now.

I think buying souvenirs for the family and friends is part of my predetermined budget, but….I hate buying “stuff.” It doesn’t make sense to buy a key chain from London that my dad will lose to the bottomless pit that is his office bedside table. SO… I’ve approached the whole dilemma with a new idea. For each of my close friends and family (you know who you are…hopefully), I want to choose one picture I’ve taken on my trip that reminds me of you and have it printed and done up “real nice”… If you have any requests tell me so I can give you an awesome gift!

In all other Audrey-related news I am having a wonnnndaful trip and may possibly never return to the States. If only to snatch Grey Bug and bring him back to London with me.

Happy almost end of winter to everyone!

Audrey

Two posts in one day…wow

Granted I have been avoiding hard pressed at finding any free time in Europe. I am beginning to appreciate the structure of a 9 to 5 at Sotheby’s and slowly but surely I am adjusting to their “very steep learning curve.” Today was the second chance I’ve gotten to sit in on a day auction in their gallery. In a few words- THIS IS SO COOL. But in all seriousness, an unbelievable experience. Here are a few terms for ya’ll-

lot- each individual work up for sale

bid-in: the owner offers to bid on their own item to raise the asking price

unreserved: there are no minimum bids on an item.

buyers premium:fee paid by the buyer to the auction house

hammer price: fee paid by the buyer not including the buyer premium

Today at the Contemporary Day Sale I saw lots of funky art- check out “The Artist Who Swallowed

The Artist Who Swallowed The World

The World” on the Sotheby’s website.  Some Andy Warhol’s casually going for a quarter million and a cubist portrait of Mao for around half a million…Ain’t no thang. The entire atmosphere of an auction is pretty exciting, if you ever get the chance- go!

Biggest highlight of the day month, it’s finally getting warm here. This means low 50’s- but hey it’s all relative.

Thanks for reading about my adventures- great primary source, right? Here’s a link to the Contemporary Day Sale for all those who are interested.

Cheers!