With unique labels designed by Marina Abramović
Paris – For the second year, Bonhams, in partnership with Ornellaia, one of Italy's most esteemed and influential wine estates, will host an online auction on Bonham's website, featuring 14 lots including large-format bottles of Vendemmia d'Artista 2023 La Vitalità (Vitality) adorned with labels designed by acclaimed Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović, running from 11 to 23 June 2026. Ornellaia has committed its sale proceeds from the June 2026 Vendemmia d'Artista auction to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to support the treatment and restoration of some of the artworks included in the much-awaited exhibition, Guggenheim Pop, bringing together a selection of uncanny and provocatory works in the Guggenheim collection. Guggenheim Pop will showcase recent acquisitions by leading artists like Andy Warhol, Maurizio Cattelan, Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein and Coosje Van Bruggen.
Since the release of its 2006 vintage, Ornellaia has upheld the tradition of selecting a contemporary artist for its Vendemmia d'Artista project to create a work of art for the estate and a series of limited-edition labels, inspired by a word chosen by the estate's winemaker to describe the new vintage. Each vintage of Ornellaia has its own distinctive characteristics which are summarized in one word: the character of the vintage.
With the labels designed by Marina Abramović to celebrate Ornellaia 2023 La Vitalità, the artist remained faithful to her practice intrinsically linked with the limits of the human body. The word chosen for the 2023 harvest, La Vitalità responds to a very specific reading of what occurred in Ornellaia's vineyards that year. For Abramović, vitality is anything but an abstract notion. While the body has always been at the centre of her research, as both the subject and object of her work, for Ornellaia, the artist chose to portray herself in a continuous process of transformation, constantly redefining the boundary between art and life. In these labels, Marina Abramović explores the theme of self, understood as an act of awareness and determination in capturing one's own image. The artwork dedicated to Vendemmia d'Artista reflects on the ability to regenerate oneself through art and to regain strength and vitality. Each of the 14 lots will be offered at the online auction along with a unique experience, either at the Ornellaia estate or at one of the three Guggenheim museums.
Marina Abramović commented: "When I began this project, I started from the drawing, from the raw material: the grape. I surrounded my face with the clusters and, suddenly, the vivid green of the leaves and the deep black of the berries began to vibrate. A vital force, energy-petals blooming from the mind."
"In the vineyard, every stage of the vegetative cycle describes a process of transformation. Patience is essential and, at times, is timeliness. Marina Abramović has captured this energy. She has looked at us and involved us all, turning our work into art," says Lamberto Frescobaldi, President. "We are very proud of this collaboration and to share it with all Ornellaia wine lovers through the artist-designed labels of the various formats of the 2023 vintage."
Mariët Westermann, Director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation declared: "Since 2019, Ornellaia's generous and impactful support has been instrumental in sustaining and presenting many programs and works of art at the Guggenheim New York. This year, we are especially grateful that Ornellaia's support will enable the conservation of works featured in Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now, which examines the Guggenheim's own history with the movement and Pop's influence on contemporary artists in our collection. This vital treatment will ensure that these works may be enjoyed by local and global visitors not only this summer, but for years to come."
"Following the success of the first auction at Bonhams last year, we are proud to continue our partnership with Vendemmia d'Artista project— a landmark auction where the worlds of fine wine, contemporary art and philanthropy converge. This extraordinary collaboration with Ornellaia not only offers collectors access to one-of-a-kind bottles, but also supports the Guggenheim Museum in New York, furthering the shared mission of enriching culture globally. It's an honor to bring this vision to the international stage," added Amayès Aouli, Global Head of Wine & Spirits, Bonhams.
The top lot of the sale is a unique Salmanazar (9 litre) of Ornellaia 2023 La Vitalità Vendemmia d'Artista, conceived by Marina Abramović and estimated between €14,000 – 18,000. This bottle, numbered 1 of 1, is signed by the artist, who has interpreted the idea of vitality in a project centered on the theme of self, intended as an act of awareness and determination in capturing her own image. The 9L Salmanazar is a unique piece, conceived as a combination of elements engaging the temporal dimension of life and the senses. At the top of the bottle a red wax cone-shaped candle, inspired by one of her iconic artworks, Energy Hat, can be lit. As the flame slowly burns, it marks the time of rituality and prepares the moment for wine. Beside it, a 45-rpm vinyl record by Nino Rota accompanies the gesture, transforming the space through music. The label provides instructions: "Slowly drink wine with eyes closed and listen to the music." This lot includes an exclusive dining & overnight experience for six guests at the Ornellaia estate.
Abramović's concept for the vintage character is vividly expressed throughout 10 Imperials (6 litre). Abramović took photographs of herself. Each label is unique, like a sequence that shows the various stages of the plant as it manages to sprout with determination. The 10 Imperials (6 litre), with estimates starting at €8,000 and reaching up to €24,000, are offered with private visits of the estate or dinner with 6 guests.
A unique wooden collection case containing twelve bottles of Ornellaia 750ml, including the full vertical of twelve Vendemmia d'Artista 750ml labels produced from 2012 to 2023 will be offered (estimate: €6,000-9,000). For the 750ml label, Abramović created a design based on concentric circles formed by a series of signs of different colors. These represent the energy generated by the union of many individual elements when they form a single whole. This lot also includes a private tour of either The Guggenheim New York, The Peggy Guggenheim in Venice or the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao - outside public hours for four guests.