Jonathan Ive Makes Solid Rose Gold Apple EarPods for (RED) Charity Auction

Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson are collaborating with Bono on a (RED) charity auction that celebrates masterworks of design and innovation.

The auction features items such as a unique Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, a unique aluminum desk, a Steinway & Sons Parlor Grand Piano, a 2012 Range Rover, a one-of-a-kind pair of classic Apple EarPods in solid rose gold, and more.

More details and listings can be found in the full press release below. The collection will be sold at Sotheby's New York on 23 November 2013 with proceeds going towards the fight against AIDS in Africa.


Read More [via MacRumors]



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Two of the world’s foremost design pioneers, Sir Jonathan Ive, KBE, and Marc Newson, CBE, have collaborated with musician and philanthropist Bono to organize a (RED) Auction celebrating the very best of design and innovation. Jony and Marc have spent the past year and a half curating the collection, which comprises objects from disciplines as diverse as space travel and lighting design to contemporary art and rare automobiles, all unified and distinguished by their excellence an innovation. Proceeds from the 23 November 2013 sale at Sotheby’s New York will benefit The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Sir Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Design at Apple, said, “It's been a fantastic honor to curate this collection of objects with Marc for the auction at Sotheby's. Each piece represents the value of thoughtful design. What we create for each other is not only a comment on our culture but of course in many ways defines it. (RED) is making a difference in the lives of millions of people and we're humbled to make this contribution to such an important and worthy cause."


"It's been a thrilling journey for Jony and me to curate this collection of pieces that celebrate extraordinary design that we love, that transcends all boundaries of time and place. These objects were each conceived to resolve a singularly focused challenge, yet have subsequently achieved a cultural significance that's above and beyond their initial functionality. Each object and the process of creating it conveys a rich set of human values, so it seems fitting that they should be auctioned with a different sense of human value in mind, to raise as much as possible to help people's lives today," said Marc Newson. “We'd like to thank our partners for their sincere generosity and for giving so gladly and willingly.”

The auction will feature icons of design selected by Jony and Marc, works that were personally customized by the pair and, finally, two new and unique items created by Ive and Newson specifically for this special benefit event.

Leading the auction are the two items designed in their entirety by Jony and Marc – a unique Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, which is, in and of itself, a feat of extraordinary engineering, and a unique aluminum desk produced by Neal Feay Studios. Joining these editions labeled 01/01 and specifically produced for the (RED) Auction are: a Steinway & Sons Parlor Grand Piano and a 2012 Range Rover, both customized by Jony and Marc; a unique version of Hermès’ iconic Cavale saddle created in red leather with custom red stitching; a one-of-a-kind pair of classic Apple EarPods in solid rose gold; a Russian cosmonaut suit; a pair of Damien Hirst ‘Spin Chairs’ designed by Jasper Morrison; a custom Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos “561” Clock with unique ed accents created for the auction; and a Dom Pérignon Œnothèque 1966 Magnum with custom red foil label, red ice bucket cooler and limited edition protective case.

Bono said, “When you think of Jony and Marc, you think of design which is both iconic and sublime. Those two words can be applied to the unique collection of objects on the auction block this November. Each bang of that hammer will be raising critical dollars to fight AIDS... by getting medication to mothers with HIV which means they will not pass the virus on to their newborns.”

The more than 40 auction items have been captured by renowned photographer and filmmaker Andrew Zuckerman for a limited-edition auction catalogue designed by designer and illustrator Richard Allan. The publication features introductory essays by actor, poet and author Stephen Fry and Bono, as well as commentary from Jony and Marc.
The November 23 event follows the original (RED) auction held at Sotheby’s New York in February 2008, the most significant charity auction ever held, which raised over $40 million to fight AIDS in Africa. 
Organized by Bono and Damien Hirst, the auction included works donated by Banksy, Anish Kapoor, Marc Quinn, Georg Baselitz and Howard Hodgkin, among others, and set records for 17 artists.

Oliver Barker, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe and the auctioneer for both the 2008 and upcoming (RED) auction, said, “The (RED) sale of 2008 provided the benchmark for auctions of this nature and once again we will be presenting a unique collaboration; this time with the dream-team of Sir Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire objects of singular design
excellence and innovation, and simultaneously raise much needed funds for the fight against AIDS.”

Highlights from the sale will travel to London and Hong Kong in advance of the sale before the entire collection goes on public exhibition in New York beginning 18 November. Learn more about the second (RED) Auction through our Twitter hashtag #REDatSothebys. Additional highlights and details to be revealed over the next several months.
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