Hello and welcome to Intelligence Squared where Great Minds meet.

I'm head of programming, Connor Boyle.

Coming up on the podcast, we've got something from our friends at Sotheby's that we think

you'll enjoy.

It's an episode of Sotheby's Talks, the podcast series that takes listeners inside the world

of Sotheby's.

In this episode, a special edition of Sotheby's. In this episode, a special edition

of Sotheby's Friday Lates hosted to celebrate the launch of icons 100 extraordinary objects

from Sotheby's history published with Fiden Press. To listen to more episodes of Sotheby's

talks featuring the likes of Marina Abramovich, Mary McCartney, Tracy Eman, and Julianne Moore,

just search Sotheby's Talks wherever you get your podcasts.

I would love to hear how you each understand and define the term icon.

I think we all know it's somewhat fraught from overuse, and it would be interesting to hear

why in fact you think it is so popular. So, Helena, what are your thoughts?

I think that it starts with the image, something instantly recognisable that you have a deep

connection with. There's an element of veneration. We come to the religious association. And I think there's also

something to do with the story, which we will come to in our various conversations. It can be

scandal and it can be incredibly tragic. And because we're here at Sotheby's, I think there's also an element of market

making in many of these stories.

So the combination, that kind of an intoxicating combination of rarity, universality,

and maybe an element of the power play of wealth and possession comes in as well.

Brilliant.

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