Christie’s Auctions Beeple’s “Human One” NFT Artwork for $29 Million

Beeple strikes again! Christie’s auctioned off his latest creation Human One NFT, a 3D video sculpture, for nearly $29 Million. This was a highly anticipated event in the NFT world for a myriad of reasons. First, Beeple currently holds the record for most expensive NFT sold at $69.3 Million. In addition, this is Christie’s first live sale in its New York saleroom since the pandemic.

Beeple’s 2021 Masterpiece: Human One NFT

In under 3 minutes, Beeple closed another historic NFT Sale. The more than 7-foot-high sculpture featuring dystopian imagery attracted bids from NFT collectors and enthusiasts worldwide via phone. Ultimately, the New York and Hong Kong-based specialists declared Ryan Zurrer as the new owner of Beeple’s Masterpiece. The Switzerland-based online bidder is the founder of @Dialectic_CH and @VineVentures.

Zurrer was ecstatic over his NFT purchase. In a tweet, he said, “Secured the ONE. Thank you, @beeple, for the visionary innovation, amazing new energy, and hilarious positive vibes you’ve brought to crypto and art.

The kinetic video sculpture creatively combines physical and digital technology. It shows a striding person clad in silver garb wearing what appears to be a space helmet. Another way of looking at it is a modern spaceman trapped in a box. The figure walks determinedly through changing landscapes projected on four walls of its 4-foot-by-4-foot box.

Artist Mike Winkelmann, who goes by the pseudonym Beeple, calls it “the first portrait of a human born in the metaverse.”

Christie’s added that the imagery that makes up the world of this ever-exploring human in Beeple’s work is sourced randomly from a data pool of one-minute video clips set up by Winkelmann. “The artist intends to change the imagery blanketing the four walls of the sculpture  throughout his lifetime, creating a lifelong connection with the winning bidder as well as any future owners of the sculpture.”

Reception So Far

Leading NFT figures also celebrated the success of Beeple via Twitter. Farokh said, “another huge moment for NFTs and for the culture we are all trying to build within the traditional art world.”

Beeple also attracted the attention of mainstream media. He appeared in the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It was a good opportunity to explain the NFT world and he definitely charmed the viewers. One user tweeted, “Great interview! I can see why Beeple’s artwork is sought after. I love how his mind works.”

The other NFTs in the auction also did well. Peter Doig’s Swamped sold for nearly US$40 million with fees. Meanwhile, Banksy’s Sunflowers from Petrol Station, from the collection of Sir Paul Smith, sold for US$14.6 million with fees, within its estimate range.

Then, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s The Guilt of Gold Teeth, 1982, sold for US$40 million with fees, at the low end of a wide estimate range between US$40 million and US$80 million.