Metapurse bid and acquired Beeple’s record-breaking digital work of art for more than $69 million. This breaks the record for the most expensive NFT ever sold.
The jpeg file comprises a digital collage of 5,000 unique pieces of art created daily by artist Beeple, also known as Mike Winkelman, since May 1, 2007.
“We hope to work with some of the best architects on the planet to design something truly worthy of this masterpiece,” said Twobadour, steward of Metapurse (via The Art Newspaper).
Beeple’s digital collage of 5,000 artworks
“The beauty of this piece is that it can be experienced wherever you are in the world. Unlike the Mona Lisa that’s in physical space, this is purely digital. So we intend to create a monument that this particular piece deserves, which can exist only in the metaverse.”
Art lovers will be able to virtually visit the museum via an internet browser. It will be accessible using virtual reality (VR) headsets for a “really immersive experience”.
The auction was hosted by Christie’s. It opened for bidding on February 25 and finished on March 11. The artwork was minted exclusively for Christie’s, making it the first major auction house to offer a digital work with a unique NFT.
Artwork sold for more than $69m
Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie’s, said: “We are pleased to have brought together two distinct collecting communities – the traditional and the digital – at exactly the right moment for digital artists, for blockchain technology, and for cryptocurrency.
“The possibilities for what comes next in this field are inspiring and we look forward to more collaborative innovations in the near future.”
“When you think of high-valued NFTs, this one is going to be pretty hard to beat. And here’s why – it represents 13 years of everyday work,” said Metakovan. “This is the crown jewel, the most valuable piece of art for this generation. It is worth $1 billion.”
Image: Beeple
