From 1959 until his death three years later, performance artist Yves Klein sold non-existent spaces for gold.
The piece from 1959, Zone de sensibilite picturale immaterielle (Zone of Immaterial Pictorial Sensibility), had the French artist inviting guests into a gallery where empty spaces (the Immaterial Zone) were sold in exchange for pure gold.
In return, buyers received a receipt that documented the sale. They had the option to burn the receipt, after which the artist would throw half of the gold into the Seine River. Klein would always tell the participants to engage in the ritual with an art critic or dealer, an art museum director and at least two witnesses present.
During the three years that he conducted this performance, eight spaces or “Zones” were sold, and at least three buyers engaged in the ritual. A number of the receipts survived - one of which is up for sale with Sotheby’s. It is expected to sell for up to €500,000 ($552,000).
The piece is part of the Loic Malle Collection, which will be auctioned in Paris on April 6.
Image: Sotheby's