Many people believe that artworks are valuable in themselves, as a creative embodiment of the ideas and talent of the artist or sculptor, and the materials on which they are created are not valuable in themselves - canvas, frame, plaster or at best marble are not too expensive. But there are exceptions, and very expensive ones at that. We will talk about the most precious artworks in the truest sense of the word in this article.
In February 2022 in New York's Central Park presented for public viewing a golden cube weighing 186 kg and a height of 50 cm, created by artist Nicholas Castello. In order not to attract unnecessary attention, the artwork for its installation began at five in the morning, and the cube itself was all the time under heavy guard - which is not surprising, any picture still need to sell, and here is a huge ingot of pure gold, worth under 20 million dollars. However, it is not possible to lift it alone, but if you really need it, a few big men can do the artwork easily.
Nicholas Costello poses next to his work "Castello's Cube" in New York's Central Park
It is true that there is a logical question - what exactly is the artist's work? Any blacksmith or worker who knows how to work with molten metal can cast a huge cube. Castello himself claims that the golden cube is conceptual creativity in its purest form, but everything became clearer when he announced his cryptocurrency $CAST, which at that time anyone could buy at the price of 0.44 per virtual coin. Only here the cryptocurrency artist miscalculated a bit - the boom began to wane, the rates of the leading cryptocurrencies collapsed and his currency turned out to be of no use to anyone. At least the golden cube remained as an additional proof that it is better to invest in tangible assets rather than virtual bitcoins and NFTs.
Damien Hirst. For the love of God
Sculptor Damien Hirst has become famous for his evocative sculptures, some of which are made of gold and real jewelry. One may recall a creepy but very expensive human skull made of platinum, instructed with diamonds, sold for 100 million dollars - indeed, the concept of kitsch in art is reaching a new level.
Damien Hirst. Golden Taurus
And in 2008, Hirst created the sculpture "Golden Taurus". He took a real bull carcass, preserved it in formalin, and cast the hooves, horns and disk on the head from gold. It turned out monumental and at least unconventional. The taurus came out really golden - at the Sotheby's auction it managed to sell for 10 million pounds.
Maurizio Catellan. Comic
Artist Maurizio Catellan became famous for his unconventional artwork, in particular, the artwork "Comic", which is a banana, which he attached with duct tape to the wall. As it turned out, even this can be sold for 120 thousand dollars, although here the buyer probably appreciated not the banana itself, but the idea, the loud name of the artist and the opportunity to become the owner of the installation.
And in 2016, Catellan presented a work worthy of standing in the house of any cool "new Russian" from the 90's, who got rich on the semi-criminal business, but has a remote idea of good taste. This is the notorious "golden toilet bowl", which received the pretentious name "America".
Maurizio Catellan. America
It was made for the Guggenheim Museum in New York and installed where it should stand - in the visitors' restroom. However, it cost over 100 kilograms of gold with the price of 4 million dollars, but everyone can feel like a real rich man and touch the unprecedented world of luxury.
By the way, the toilet bowl was stolen when it was placed in the toilet of Blenheim Palace, located in London, where an exhibition of Cattelan's artworks was held.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork in one of the halls of Blenheim Palace
The artist thought that no one would trespass on a working toilet, but the thieves were not so squeamish. Money really does smell good.
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