The art world can be a truly baffling place at times, with there seemingly being no bounds on what constitutes art — as well as there being a very confused line between what is real and what qualifies as satire.
This year, one Italian artist grabbed headlines after selling an invisible sculpture, that is composed of nothing, for a small fortune at auction.
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The artist in question is Salvatore Garau, an Italian artist.
Garau was born in Italy in 1953 and has worked as a musician, visual artist, and director for many years.
However, it is some of his more recent work that has been grabbing people’s attention.
Garau reportedly sold his ‘invisible’ statue for around $18,000 earlier this year.
Garau’s invisible sculpture which went up for auction earlier this year is called “Io sono” which is the phrase “I am” in Italian.
Garau has also been known for another invisible statue called, “Buddha in Contemplation,” which he displayed at Milan’s Piazza della Scala. Well, we say he “displayed” it, but it was essentially a small box marked out on the floor with tape — a short video exhibition of the piece from Garau’s Instagram can be seen below.
Garau claims that his invisible work is concerned with very complex themes.
“The vacuum [of the piece] is nothing more than a space full of energy, and even if we empty it and there is nothing left, according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, that ‘nothing’ has a weight. Therefore, it has energy that is condensed and transformed into particles, that is, into us,” Garau was quoted as saying to The Independent .
“After all, don’t we give shape to a God we have never seen?” he went on to question.
The invisible work which was sold at auction must apparently be displayed privately.
Because of course it must. “Io Sono” is said to occupy a space that is at least 5 ft long and 5 ft wide, with the room being lit as the owner likes — lighting obviously not being that important due to the fact of the piece not existing.
The work has naturally drawn quite a lot of criticism.
The fact that the piece does not exist and yet Garau has managed to sell it for over $18,000 has, understandably, gotten some individuals a little riled up — with some people even accusing the invisible piece as simply an excuse for Garau to print his own money.
One individual even took to Garau’s Instagram to comment: “I have an invisible $1,000,000,000 right now to buy your art.”
Although, Garau shows no sign of slowing down his art career any time soon.
h/t: Independent
