Frank Gehry's Glass Desk Shatters Auction Records, Fetches $243,200
A remarkable piece of furniture art, a colossal desk conceptualized by the celebrated architect Frank Gehry, recently achieved an impressive sale price of $243,200 at Freeman's in Chicago. This record-breaking transaction, reported by Artnet News, far surpassed its initial valuation, marking a new milestone for Gehry's design creations in the auction world. The desk, affectionately named 'Icehenge,' is an elaborate 16-component structure that was originally commissioned in 2012 for the entrance hall of Chicago’s iconic Inland Steel Building, following Gehry's involvement in the property's refurbishment.
Crafted from rugged, emerald-hued glass blocks, the desk collectively weighs seven tons. It served both as a functional reception area and a striking sculptural focal point within the building. Despite its substantial dimensions presenting a unique challenge for an auction item, it attracted considerable interest from a diverse range of collectors. Notably, the successful bidder intends to maintain the artwork's public accessibility, even contemplating a temporary display in a museum. This project was inspired by Gehry's fascination with a piece of textured glass he discovered during another commission, leading him to create a dynamic interplay of light and form through irregularly stacked blocks, which accentuated the inherent beauty of the material's imperfections. The green tint of the glass was specifically chosen to complement the windows of the Inland Steel Building, establishing a visual dialogue with Richard Lippold's suspended sculpture, 'Radiant I' (1956).
This sale distinguishes itself from Gehry’s more typical design pieces, such as his well-known corrugated cardboard furniture or his whimsical Fish Lamps. The price achieved by 'Icehenge' significantly overshadows the previous record for his design objects, which was held by a Fish Lamp sold for $239,400 at Phillips New York in 2021. However, Gehry's overall auction high remains the 'Winton Guest House' (1987), which fetched $905,000 in 2015. The enduring value and public appreciation for such innovative and imaginative works not only celebrate artistic achievement but also underscore the profound impact of design on our shared cultural landscape.