NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, announces three additions to its recently launched series of tailored, specialist-led travel itineraries in 2014. A trip to Geneva in May is designed to accommodate anyone who missed out on the sold-out “Jewels of New York” trip with specialist Raymond Sancroft-Baker in November 2013, the first itinerary. A trip to Mexico with Latin American art expert Vivian Pfeiffer in early June will immerse guests in the vibrant Mexican art scene. And a trip to Basel for the world-famous art fair will depart in mid-June, hosted by Professor Dr. Dirk Boll, Christie’s Managing Director of Continental Europe.
The inaugural trips, to New York, India and the heart of Europe, booked up quickly, as the journeys are limited to small groups of just 12 - 15 people, allowing for maximum access to the Christie’s specialist hosting the tour, and to the collectors, gallery owners, artists and other venues included on the itineraries.
“Our aim is for our clients to see art before anybody else, to connect directly with the artist and with the culture that shaped them. We plan our trips to established centers of art and also upcoming events that we know are going to be at the forefront of the art market within the next few months,” says Karen Stone Talwar, International Managing Director of Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent. “I love introducing people and seeing what might happen,” Talwar explains. “I also love hearing an exchange of ideas take place, seeing a potential for collaboration. It’s always a real pleasure to me that the people who meet each other on these trips keep in touch, not just with me, but with each other.”
Geneva, Jewelry and Watches, May 11-14
Reprising his role as host of “The Jewels of New York: The JAR Experience,” in November 2013, long-time jewelry specialist Raymond Sancroft-Baker will accompany a group to Geneva May 11-14, in conjunction with Christie’s annual Magnificent Jewels auction (such as the 2013 auction, pictured above). Sancroft-Baker has worked with many of Christie’s top jewelry clients over the decades, including Elizabeth Taylor and HRH the Princess Margaret. Drawing on the luxury travel expertise of Abercrombie & Kent, and the connections of Christie’s jewelry department, the four-day journey will be an immersion experience in the refined culture of fine jewelry. He’s able to relate stories not only of the beautiful jewels, but also of the fascinating personalities who have owned them.
The Geneva group will be treated to intimate conversations with top jewelry experts and guided tours of the ateliers of the major watch and jewelry houses, such as Chopard and Patek Philippe, for a behind-the-scenes view of the creation of some of the most beautiful timepieces and jewels in the world. The trip includes a champagne reception in the home of a private collector of both art and jewelry, and a trip to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which holds a number of important works by Marcel Duchamp. And, of course, there will be time to enjoy some of the great restaurants that line the shores of Lake Geneva.
The Arts of Mexico, May 29 –June 5
This journey to Mexico is designed to explore Mexico’s place in today’s art market, as well as provide an introduction to contemporary art in Mexico. Starting in Mexico City, and accompanied by Christie’s expert in Latin American art, Vivian Pfeiffer, the group will visit the studios of some of the country’s most important and prominent artists, and the new Jumex Museum (pictured at right), home of a 2,700-piece collection that mixes international stars such as Damien Hirst with Latin American artists such as Gabriel Orozco. There’ll also be time to explore the former home of Dolores Olmedo, who turned her hacienda into a private museum of works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
The group then visits the picturesque colonial city of Merida, in the Yucatan Peninsula, to visit Jorge Pardo’s home, which functions both as a sculpture and a residence, as well as the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, with a specialist archaeologist. Along the way, the group dines at some of Mexico’s best restaurants, and stays in the most magnificent hotels, to imbue the experience with an authentic taste of the country and its remarkable culture.
Contemporary Art in Basel, June 17 – 21
This trip to Basel is timed to coincide with the Art Basel Fair, the premier showcase for modern and contemporary works of art from over 300 leading galleries from around the world. Guests will have access to the pre-show private opening, or vernissage, and be guided around the fair by Professor Dr. Dirk Boll, Christie’s Managing Director of Continental Europe, who will provide any necessary information and introductions, while at the same time showing guests the very best that the fair has to offer.
The program will continue with a variety of privately led tours, both of public institutions and private collections. They include a retrospective of Gerhard Richter, one of the most important living artists, the kinetic works of the Swiss painter and sculptor Jean Tinguely at the Museum Tinguely, the Vitra Design Museum by Frank Gehry, the renowned Kunstmuseum, the first major solo show of the U.S. artist Paul Chan at the Schaulager, and a private collection housed in a castle.
Upcoming trips
Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, is also putting the finishing touches on journeys conducted in Mandarin for Chinese clients to Paris for the Asian Art auctions at Christie’s Paris sale room, June 8 – 13, and to London in June for Impressionist and Modern Art Week, June 19 - 25. More trips are in the works for the fall to London, Boston, New York and Indonesia. Besides these planned itineraries, Christie’s Travel, in association with Abercrombie & Kent, will also work with clients to design a bespoke trip for a group of friends or an extended family wishing to celebrate a special event together. A Christie’s specialist can be engaged to help design an experience that will appeal to everybody, taking in individual interests. “Anything is possible,” Talwar says.
