The Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, will showcase Human One (2021), the first sculpture by digital artist Mike Winkelmann, also known as Beeple. The piece, acquired by Swiss venture capitalist Ryan Zurrer, marks the first time it is coming to the US since its $29 million sale at Christie’s in 2021. Zurrer, known for his efforts to bridge the digital and traditional art worlds, has been involved in philanthropic auctions and lent Human One to art institutions worldwide. Zurrer expressed excitement and gratitude for the American debut of the sculpture, stating that audiences will be captivated by the remarkable detail and innovative blend of technology and craft.
Human One, a rectangular box with screens, features an astronaut pacing through landscapes. LGDR sold the sister piece to the Deji Art Museum in Nanjing, China. The artwork will be on view in Arkansas until January 2024. The artist, David Winkelmann, has control over the display and plans to use it to create a game for Crystal Bridges attendees. Visitors can unlock NFTs created in his North Carolina studio. Winkelmann believes that the artwork is more like an ongoing conversation, with the ability to update it over time, allowing him to add new meaning to the piece.
