Christie's Deploys Degas Hologram to Bypass Art Logistics Crisis

Christie's has used a hologram of Edgar Degas's bronze sculpture 'Petite danseuse de quatorze ans' (1928) for a pre-auction tour between San Francisco and Hong Kong in mid-April, rather than shipping the fragile original. The hologram, produced by Los Angeles startup Proto (known for NFT displays), was exhibited in Christie's existing illuminated showcases. The move addresses severe art logistics challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, including soaring air freight costs (4-10 times pre-pandemic levels) and disruptions to sea and land routes due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Devang Thakkar, Christie's senior advisor for digital and technology, stated the hologram provides a realistic 3D digital replica. Separately, in early April, Christie's formed a strategic partnership with fine art shipping company Crozier to establish dedicated monthly sea routes between New York and London, and bimonthly between London and Hong Kong, with a 12-day transit time and 80% lower emissions than air freight. The original Degas sculpture will be a top lot in Christie's May New York auction of the Anne Hendricks Bass collection.