ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Michael Pinsky's kinetic auction exhibition at Midlands Arts Centre

exhibition · 2026-07-26

Internationally renowned artist Michael Pinsky presents The Final Bid at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham, UK. The exhibition transforms the gallery into an immersive installation using 72 chairs donated by the public, suspended from the ceiling. A live online auction allows audiences to bid on chairs via the gallery or MAC's online platform. As bids increase, chairs rise and shift in real time, creating a kinetic sculpture that visualizes demand and consumption. The work challenges the desire to buy new things and explores the environmental impact of manufactured goods, encouraging reflection on reuse, ownership, and the circular economy.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'The Final Bid' by Michael Pinsky
  • Held at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham
  • Features 72 chairs donated by the public
  • Chairs suspended from ceiling, respond to bids in real time
  • Live online auction allows bidding in person or online
  • Explores environmental impact of manufactured goods
  • Encourages rethinking reuse, ownership, and circular economy
  • Chairs rise and shift based on bid value

Entities

Artists

  • Michael Pinsky

Institutions

  • Midlands Arts Centre

Locations

  • Birmingham
  • United Kingdom

Sources