Auction Items
As always, the Gala will feature a live charitable auction, with all proceeds directly supporting IHES and its mission to advance fundamental research. This year’s exceptional lots are presented below, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all friends, sponsors, and supporters who helped secure these unique experiences for our guests.
The auction will be graciously led by Caroline Robinson, Head Auctioneer at Bonhams.
3 DAYS FOR 2 PEOPLE IN TENNIS PARADISE AT 2026 BNP PARIBAS OPEN IN INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
You and a guest will surround yourself with tennis superstars at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, also known as the fifth grand slam.
This package offers a 2-night stay at a premium tournament hotel, 3 full days of thrilling tennis action and a morning tennis clinic. You will receive a pair of tickets for you and an adult guest (21 or older) in the BNP Paribas luxury VIP Suite, with hospitality, including a food and beverage for the Women’s and Men’s Semis and Finals, plus accommodations at an official tournament hotel.
Lot Details
- Valid for 2 people. Both guests must be 21 years of age or older.
- You will have a pair of tickets to the following matches:
– Friday, March 13 – Men’s Doubles Final, Women’s Singles Semifinals
– Saturday, March 14 – Women’s Doubles Final, Men’s Singles Semifinals
– Sunday, March 15 – Women’s Singles Final, Men’s Singles Final - Food and beverage which includes premium catered food and open bar within the BNP Paribas luxury VIP suite on specified dates.
- 2 nights’ accommodation: March 13 and 14 at a premium official tournament hotel, located within close proximity to the tournament.
- Enhance your skills with a morning tennis clinic led by tennis professionals, perfect for players of all levels on either Saturday or Sunday morning.
EXPERIENCE THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MATHEMATICS AND ENJOY AN EXCLUSIVE STAY AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL PHILADELPHIA
Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation and the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, we are thrilled to unveil an exciting auction item around the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM).
You and a guest will take part in the most prestigious gathering of the mathematical community, the ICM, which returns to the United States for the first time in over 40 years. Held in Philadelphia in July 2026, this event is also where the new Fields Medalists—the highest distinction in mathematics—will be officially announced and celebrated.
This extraordinary package includes VIP access to the opening days of the ICM and a 2-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. As a highlight, you’ll enjoy an intimate private breakfast with a renowned mathematician, offering you the rare chance to engage with one of today’s greatest scientific minds.
Lot Details
- Valid for 2 people.
- You will have a pair of VIP tickets with access to:
– Wednesday, July 22
– ICM Welcome Reception
Thursday, July 23
– ICM Opening Ceremony and scientific sessions (lectures, talks, poster sessions, exhibitions - Food and beverage, including premium catering and open bar, within the event venue on specified dates.
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (July 22 & 23), located within walking distance of the ICM venue.
- An exquisite dining experience for two at Jean-Georges Philadelphia with a $500 credit
- A pair of 60-minute treatments at the Four Seasons Spa
- Private breakfast with a renowned mathematician at the Four Seasons (July 24).
EXCLUSIVE ARTWORK INSPIRED BY CUTTING-EDGE MATHEMATICS RESEARCH
Experience the Beauty of Mathematics Translated into Art!
For the 2025 Friends of IHES Gala, Alex Kontorovich, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Rutgers University, and Eric Vergo, a mechanical engineer with a deep passion for mathematics, have joined forces to create an exceptional auction item that combines art and mathematics outreach.
Inspired by the classification theorem of Alex Kontorovich and Kei Nakamura below—at the intersection of arithmetic, combinatorics, and geometry—Eric has used 3D printing to bring to life the intricate structures that emerge from this research.
Theorem: The maximal arithmetic ideal right-angled reflection lattices acting on hyperbolic space are: the octahedron, the square antiprism, and the rhombicuboctahedron.
The result is a delicate and intricate 3D-printed piece that embodies the elegance and creativity of modern mathematical research.
This lot includes a private meet-and-greet with Alex, where he will personally unveil the fascinating mathematics and creative inspiration behind this unique piece.
Alex Kontorovich is a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Rutgers University, working at the intersection of combinatorics, geometry and number theory. A former Distinguished Visiting Professor for the Public Dissemination of Mathematics at the National Museum of Mathematics and a Scientific Board Member of Quanta Magazine, Alex is deeply committed to sharing the beauty and wonder of mathematics with a broader audience.
Eric Vergo is a mechanical engineer with a deep passion for mathematics. He channels this passion by creating mathematical art that aids in the explanation and dissemination of the mathematical concepts driving each piece. By bringing his engineering skills to bear, he produces works that approach the platonic ideal as closely as possible, freeing viewers from distracting imperfections and allowing them to focus on the mathematical beauty and underlying structures.
Lot details
- Exclusive 3D models designed by Alex Kontorovich and Eric Vergo, framed as a one-of-a-kind artwork.
- Private meet-and-greet with Alex Kontorovich, who will unveil the mathematics and creative inspiration behind this unique work.
Caroline Robinson, Auctioneer
Caroline Robinson is the Lead Auctioneer at Bonhams. Previously an Associate Vice President, Jewelry Specialist and Auctioneer at Christie’s, Caroline was responsible for the development of the firm’s online platform, which she helped grow from $500k to $5 million+ sales. As a specialist, Caroline has worked on such landmark auctions as The Private Collection of Joan Rivers and The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan. As an auctioneer, Caroline has sold everything from multi-million-dollar contemporary paintings to space memorabilia and important celebrity sales, including The David Gilmour Guitar Collection and Barbara Walters: American Icon.
Caroline holds a B.A. in Art History from Colorado College and a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. She shares her favorite jewels and a glimpse into her auctioneering life, via her Instagram page @thecarolineervin.
