Sotheby’s digital art department has revealed plans to auction works from its BitcoinShrooms collection, a project created by artist Shroomtoshi. The collection, issued on-chain in October, is hailed as “the first Ordinals collection,” according to the BitcoinShroom website and associated accounts.
Within the BitcoinShrooms collection, a wealth of references are spread out, including iconic Bitcoin memes and complex technical concepts. Described by Sotheby’s as a visual symphony that captures the essence of Bitcoin from a seasoned perspective, the collection consists of a variety of works symbolizing Bitcoin’s evolution.
The auction, scheduled for December 6-13, will feature three works. The ensemble consists of two mushroom entities and a pixelated avocado seed named BIP39. This is a nod to the mnemonic code standard used in seed phrases. The estimated bid is between $20,000 and $30,000, and the auction house also accepts cryptocurrency bids.
Shroomtoshi provided insight into the essence of the collection, a pixelated homage to the first 13 years of Bitcoin. Reflecting an 8-bit art style with a hint of 90s nostalgia, this collection serves as a tool to highlight Bitcoin’s core principles while providing a creative take on Bitcoin’s evolution and occasional missteps.
This collection of over 200 works celebrates the history of Bitcoin through various depictions. This includes a symbolic representation of the private key, Mt. It includes references to Gox, anonymity represented as a mysterious figure, and a ‘flaming’ hot wallet illustration. It also seems to feature iconic characters from the franchise such as Batman, Iron Man, WALL-E, and Super Mario.
Shroomtoshi’s identity, shrouded in anonymity, has not yet been revealed, adding interest to the artist’s enigmatic persona. Michael Bouhanna, Sotheby’s head of digital art, teased the auction with an AI-generated image showing the fusion of mushrooms and bitcoin. This auction marks a significant milestone as it marks the first time Sotheby’s has sold Ordinals.
Ordinal numbers on the Bitcoin blockchain share conceptual similarities with NFTs, using the ordinal protocol to encode data into individual satoshis. These unique digital assets include artwork, collectibles, and various forms of content.
The emergence of Ordinals has reignited interest in the NFT space, as analysts at JPMorgan noted by the end of November. Since then, exchanges like Binance and OKX have adopted Ordinals trading, indicating the growing acceptance of this new protocol within the cryptocurrency domain.
By incorporating artistic expression, historical references, and the journey of Bitcoin into the BitcoinShrooms collection, we offer a unique perspective on digital art in the blockchain realm. But the anonymity surrounding the artist and the burgeoning curiosity about the Ordinals’ potential impact continue to add intrigue to the evolving landscape.