Koons, Banksy works beat Picasso at star-studded Cannes auction for Aids

US actor Leonardo DiCaprio reacts during the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US actor Leonardo DiCaprio reacts during the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
British singer Rita Ora (left) and US singer Robin Thicke conduct an auction during the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
French actress Marion Cotillard (left) and German actor Michael Fassbender (right) react during an auction at the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US actress Eva Longoria (second left) and US fashion designer Tom Ford (third left) joke with US model Karlie Kloss (second right) as they conduct an auction during the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US models Karlie Kloss, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and British model Jourdan Dunn conduct an auction during the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
US models Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, Peruvian photographer Mario Testino, British model Jourdan Dunn and US model Karlie Kloss (left to right) conduct an auction during the Cannes Aids fund-raiser on May 21, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

CANNES, France (REUTERS) - A huge sculpture called Coloring Book by American artist Jeff Koons sold for 12 million euros (S$17.7 million) at a star-studded charity auction near Cannes that raised more than 33 million euros for Aids research.

Sienna Miller, Jake Gyllenhaal, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard were among the celebrities and millionaires at the annual amfAR "Cinema Against Aids" event on Thursday night at the luxury Hotel de Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes.

At the gala, a highlight during the annual Cannes Film Festival, a work by British street artist Banksy, donated by actor Leonardo DiCaprio, fetched more than a signed Picasso.

"It's wonderful that you can gather a bunch of amazing, talented people and a bunch of wealthy people with a bunch of amazing artists and that they can come together and have fun and at the same time give back," actress Michelle Rodriguez said on the red carpet.

"And now, we're getting closer to a cure," added Rodriguez, who stars in The Fast And Furious film franchise.

The Banksy work fetched one million euros, nearly double the closing bid for Picasso's L'Etreinte.

Singer Andrea Bocelli also donated a dinner for 12 people with him, complete with a performance, which sold twice for a million euros each.

In addition to the auction, British singer/songwriter Charlie XCX, Bocelli and American singer Mary J. Blige entertained guests at the gala, now in its 22nd year.

Last year, the event raised a record US$35 million (S$46.7 million), according to amfAR.

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