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Christie's Spain to Auction 25 Minutes of Time from 16 International Figures

market-auction · 2026-05-04

Christie's Spain will auction 25-minute slots of time from 16 prominent figures in politics, science, art, and gastronomy on June 7, 2018, in Madrid. The event, organized by former gallerist Oliva Arauna in collaboration with the Fundación El Instante, aims to highlight the value of time as an absolute asset. Each lot starts at €1,000, with half the proceeds going to a charity chosen by the participant and the remainder funding cultural projects of the foundation. Participants include former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González, Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena, former Colombian President Belisario Betancur, digital entrepreneur Bernardo Hernández, writer Almudena Grandes, chef Samantha Vallejo-Najera, scientists Mariano Barbacid and Francis Mojica, and artists Luis Gordillo, Danh Vo, and Michelangelo Pistoletto. Curators Manuel Borja-Villel (Reina Sofía), Sam Keller (Fondation Beyeler), Hans Ulrich Obrist (Serpentine Gallery), and Vicente Todolí (Hangar Bicocca) are also involved. The auction will take place during a gala dinner at the Fundación El Instante's space near Matadero. Winners receive a certificate signed by Arauna and the foundation, which can be redeemed for a meeting or kept as a collectible that may appreciate in value.

Key facts

  • Christie's Spain auctions 25-minute time slots from 16 international figures.
  • Event organized by Oliva Arauna and Fundación El Instante.
  • Auction date: June 7, 2018, in Madrid.
  • Starting price per lot: €1,000.
  • Half of proceeds go to participant's chosen charity; half to foundation cultural projects.
  • Participants include Felipe González, Manuela Carmena, Belisario Betancur, Bernardo Hernández, Almudena Grandes, Samantha Vallejo-Najera, Mariano Barbacid, Francis Mojica, Luis Gordillo, Danh Vo, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Manuel Borja-Villel, Sam Keller, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Vicente Todolí.
  • Winners receive a certificate that can be redeemed for a meeting or kept as a collectible.
  • Auction held during a gala dinner at Fundación El Instante's space near Matadero.

Entities

Artists

  • Oliva Arauna
  • Luis Gordillo
  • Danh Vo
  • Michelangelo Pistoletto
  • José Maria Sicilia
  • Gabriele Basilico
  • Botto & Bruno

Institutions

  • Christie's Spain
  • Fundación El Instante
  • Museo Reina Sofía
  • Fondation Beyeler
  • Serpentine Gallery
  • Tate Modern
  • Hangar Bicocca
  • Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)
  • Masterchef

Locations

  • Madrid
  • Spain
  • Basel
  • Switzerland
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Milan
  • Italy
  • Colombia
  • Vietnam

Sources