$29 Million Beeple Sculpture Debuts at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
$29 Million Beeple Sculpture Debuts at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Crystal Bridges Museum unveils $29m Beeple sculpture “HUMAN ONE” in Arkansas, its first US display after a record-breaking Christie’s auction.
- The sculpture features four dynamic 16K screens symbolizing humanity’s entry into the Metaverse, representing perpetual technological progress.
- Beeple commits to lifelong updates to the artwork and offers interactive elements through hidden easter eggs, expanding the conversation around digital art.
he Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, is set to unveil HUMAN ONE (2021), a groundbreaking sculpture and generative video installation by digital artist Mike Winkelman, aka Beeple. The artwork, purchased for $29 million by Swiss tech entrepreneur Ryan Zurrer in a November 2021 Christie's auction, will make its first public appearance in the United States. HUMAN ONE has previously been exhibited at M+ in Hong Kong and Castello di Rivoli in Italy, and it will be on display at Crystal Bridges until early next year.
HUMAN ONE comprises four 16K resolution screens encased within a metal armature, depicting humanity’s initial foray into the digital realm known as the Metaverse. The constantly moving images on these screens create an illusion of infinite space within the sculpture, symbolizing the unending quest for technological progress. Beeple has committed to updating the artwork’s visuals each time it’s exhibited in a new location, a lifelong endeavor. The piece also offers an interactive element, encouraging visitors to discover hidden easter eggs that unlock related NFTs (non-fungible tokens) crafted by the artist.
Beeple explained, “HUMAN ONE harnesses the true potential of digital art, as it possesses the unique ability to evolve over time.” He compared it to traditional art, which captures a finite moment, while his creation maintains an ongoing dialogue, enriched with fresh interpretations.
The artist gained global recognition when his NFT “Everydays—The First 5000 Days (2021)” shattered records with a staggering $69.3 million sale at Christie’s in 2021. This sale epitomized the enigmatic allure and extravagance of the NFT phenomenon, prompting the art world to view blockchain technology with heightened interest.
Xuxa Rodríguez, associate curator of contemporary art at Crystal Bridges, commented, “Beeple is venturing into new artistic frontiers by blending virtual and physical existence—a metaphor for human advancement.” She added that featuring self-taught and digital artists aligns perfectly with the museum’s mission to redefine American art and broaden its accessibility for all.
