They are not just any other copies of Rolling Stone magazine; they are cast sculptures by Daniel Arsham, the first artist to be given a single-artist online sale by Christie’s, or any international auction house.

The 39-year-old contemporary artist loves toying with time and reality by reimagining relics of the past into crystallized sculptures. From rotary dials, cassette players and polaroid cameras, his sculptures, mostly done in monochrome, are often eroded and riddled with cavities in order to reflect how our culture may become obsolete in generations to come. 

A Pair of Pink Quartz & Blue Calcite Eroded Rolling Stone Magazines
Estimate: HK$300,000 - HK$500,000 (US$38,670 - US$64,450)

The “Eroded Rolling Stone Magazine” twin-set, which is expected to fetch some HK$300,000 (US$38,670), is the centrepiece of Christie’s single-artist online sale that runs from now until 30 June.

Realised in pink quartz and blue calcite, the work is donated by the artist in hopes to help ease the financial burden on art students stemming from the global pandemic. All proceeds will be given to the Cooper Union school of art in Manhattan, where the artist graduated in 2003.

This is not the first time Arsham has given away magazine-inspired sculptures. Last June, he donated a sculpture resembling the famed fashion publication Vogue to the HOCA Foundation Benefit Auction at Phillips. Made of quartz, selenite and hydrostone, the work sold for more than US$200k at Phillips Hong Kong, pulverising the estimated price of US$19,200.

Rather grotesque yet captivating, Arsham’s iconic crystal erosion feature has drawn a great deal of interest from some of the world's most renowned brands such as Adidas, Porsche, Rimowa and Dior. His collaborative editions with Dior is another highlight of the auction, with the most affordable item starting from HK$35,000 (US$4,511.5). Meanwhile, two “Eroded Pikachu” sculptures in collaboration with Japanese anime franchise Pokémon, debuted this April, are also up for grabs.

White Crystalized Pikachu
Estimate: HK$30,000 - HK$50,000 (US$3,867 - US$6,445)

“Daniel Arsham’s work is still commercially undervalued considering his artistic impact,” said Emmanuelle Chan, associate specialist and head of online sale at Christie's, who orchestrates the auction.

“The purpose of this sale is not to ‘cash in’ on an already super expensive artist, but to show just how significant and powerful his work is.”

Head to Christie's website to start bidding. The "Daniel Arsham : Archeology of the Future" online sale ends on 30 June, 2020.

Other lots:

Crystal Relic 002
Estimate: HK$10,000 - HK$15,000 (US$1,289 - US$1,933.50)

Eroded Attaché
Estimate: HK$26,000 - HK$45,000 (US$3,351.40 - US$5,800.50)

1000% BE@RBRICK (Silver)
Estimate: HK$30,000 - HK$50,000 (US$3,867 - US$6,445)

Future Relic Eroded Basketball
Estimate: HK$120,000 - HK$220,000 (US$15,468 - US$28,358)

Future Relic Eroded Clock
Estimate: HK$130,000 - HK$220,000 (US$16,757 - US$28,358)

Future Relic Eroded Telephone
Estimate: HK$90,000 - HK$130,000 (US$11,601 - US$16,757)