Dreaming Dubai with Gursky

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Dubai! In recent years, this place has become the symbol of the new Eldorado, the country of gold. The camera of Andreas Gursky was actioned at the right time, in 2007. The already famous islands are located, but none is yet equipped with its building.

The result observed by helicopter is a strange abstract photo. Islands, all similar, all bare, are scattered up to a horizon that is not visible due to the blue melting of sky and sea.

A Cibachrome, from a print of six, 307 x 223 cm, is sold by Sotheby's in London on June 25. It is estimated £ 400 K. It's just for an image that can become an icon of our time.

The market for art photography has something in common with other techniques: it is plebisciting the gigantism. But it also has a significant difference, in my view the most recent works find more easily a buyer (when they are of high quality).

A look in the archives of Sotheby's reminds us Los Angeles, a 1998 Cibachrome, 157 x 316 cm, sold £ 1.5 million inclusive on 27 February 2008. This is a view at night. The sky as black as the soil is separated by the horizon of skyscraper lights.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Result without passion: K £ 450 inclusive. At this time, the art market is not easy to excite.