A sculptor inspired by Bitcoin has created a beautiful piece of artwork commemorating the financial and technological innovation. Each element of the sculpture highlights an important quality of the decentralised digital currency.
The piece has been created by cryptocurrency artist Simon Moratz (Twitter handle @mycryptoart. The all-natural, wooden and stone creation is currently on for an undisclosed fee.
Bitcoin Sculptor Celebrates Bitcoin’s Tenth Year
The sculpture created by Moratz is titled “Why Bitcoin Matters”. Various elements of its designed have been chosen to represent the disruptive properties of the world’s first viable digital currency.
The main body of the sculpture is made out of a wood with a strong grain that spreads out across the piece. According to Mortaz, this represents decentralisation – the idea being that Bitcoin usage and knowledge is spreading globally as the technology ages.
The circle surrounding the classic Bitcoin “B” logo has been crafted from stone and represents the global nature of the Bitcoin network. In the artist’s own words:
“The stone ring symbolizes the ability to send value globally and borderless.”
Adorning the “B” itself are flowing waves. These have been chosen to highlight the “free flow of money” made possible by the decentralised monetary network. The permissionless nature of Bitcoin allows for value to travel wherever the sender desires.
Also featured in the patterning of the wood are annual rings. These spreading layers from the robust core represent the additional layers being working upon to allow for optimisation for different purposes. These include Lightning and Liquid Networks.
Finally, the base plate for the sculpture is made using coloured stones. Moratz states that this represents inclusivity. No one can stop anyone from using Bitcoin no matter who they are, what colour they are, and what their believes are:
“The Bitcoin network treats every single person equal, and everyone can participate.”
//twitter.com/mycryptoart/status/61257474
The impressive piece stands at 170 cm tall. It was created using materials scavenged from remote Austrian valleys by the 27-year-old artist.
Crypto Art as a Reflection of a Crypto Society?
For centuries, humans have used artwork to comment on the society around them. It therefore makes sense that Moratz would be drawn to Bitcoin as a subject matter. Bitcoin, after all, has the potential to disrupt one of the major communication tools we have as a species – money.
A small but growing group of artists have created similar pieces over the course of the innovation’s transition into the mainstream. Earlier this year, NewsBTC reported on the public sculpture unveiled in Slovenia depicting the iconic “B” logo.
More recently, there was the story of the “Art (r)Evolution” exhibition held in Paris, France. Artwork displayed at the crypto-focused event explored the cultural impact of Bitcoin on society both today and going forward.
Artists have even explored using the alternative payment method as a way of subverting the typical art auction model. In August, NewsBTC reported on artist Lincoln Townley who created a collection of work that he would only sell in exchange for Bitcoin. This allowed him to monetise his work without relying on galleries. Townley stated:
“The best thing is it fuels my belief that galleries are secondary to an artist’s success – they just need to look at galleries as another string to their bow. There are so many other ways to get sales with technology.”
Related Reading: Andy Warhol Paintings to Be Auctioned for Cryptocurrencies
Featured Image from Shutterstock.