Art Basel Miami Beach — dubbed the “Super Bowl of Art” by some collectors — kicked off with a bang as flush collectors started snapping up millions worth of artwork during the fair’s VIP preview on Wednesday.
New York gallery David Zwirner sold off a Jeff Koons sculpture for $8 million, sources said, as well as a pumpkin sculpture by Yayoi Kusama, the hot, eclectic Japanese artist who’s covered George Clooney in polka dots on the latest cover of W magazine.
Her giant black-and-orange gourd went for $650,000, we’re told.
One collector reportedly bought a $9 million Koons from Gagosian Gallery, and Zwirner also has a $20 million Koons for sale in its booth. Visitors to Gagosian’s booth included Google boss Eric Schmidt and Hollywood producer Brian Grazer.