The Professionals (2006)
Bringing Hidden Treasures to Light
2017 • E7 May 14, 2017 60m
Katsura Yamaguchi, Auction Specialist
Christie's is one of the world's leading auction houses, and Katsura Yamaguchi works with them as a specialist in Asian art—Japanese art in particular. His job is to scour the world for extraordinary items that can be taken to auction. Steering clear of the fakes and forgeries that circulate in the art world, he makes the rounds of a personal network of dealers and collectors. Even when no specific deal is in the offing, he is constantly on the lookout for artworks hidden from the public eye. For Yamaguchi, information is everything, and his treasure hunting is a vital way to uncover new facts. We go behind the scenes in the secretive world of high-stakes art auctions.
Christie's is one of the world's leading auction houses, and Katsura Yamaguchi works with them as a specialist in Asian art—Japanese art in particular. His job is to scour the world for extraordinary items that can be taken to auction. Steering clear of the fakes and forgeries that circulate in the art world, he makes the rounds of a personal network of dealers and collectors. Even when no specific deal is in the offing, he is constantly on the lookout for artworks hidden from the public eye. For Yamaguchi, information is everything, and his treasure hunting is a vital way to uncover new facts. We go behind the scenes in the secretive world of high-stakes art auctions.