In 1973 the National Gallery of Australia purchased Blue Poles for A$1.3 million. The gallery's director at the time, James Mollison, was not able to authorize purchases over $1 million, so the acquisition was approved by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. The purchase elicited a great deal of public discussion. The debate centred around the painting's record selling price, at the time a world record for a contemporary American painting. Estimates of the painting's present value vary widely, from $20 million to $100 million. And it is not for sale.

So do you prefer Red Poles or Blue Poles? Choose wisely.