NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s will present Bridging Worlds: Digital Art Beyond Borders Benefiting UNHCR, an online auction in collaboration with Switzerland for UNHCR, taking place on Christie’s 3.0 from October 23rd to 30th.
Bridging Worlds aims to explore the transformative power of digital art in connecting worlds, transcending borders, and fostering a sense of unity across diverse artistic practices. Inspired by the 60th Biennale’s theme, "Stranieri Ovunque" - "Foreigners Everywhere," the auction will feature a distinguished lineup of artists, including Andreas Gysin, Deafbeef, Emi Kusano, Erick Calderon (Snowfro), IX Shells, Iskra Velitchkova, Mario Klingemann, Niceaunties, OONA, and Sasha Stiles.
In addition, digital artists from around the globe were invited by Erick Calderon (aka Snowfro), Founder of Art Blocks and the Chromie Squiggle, to participate in an open call to reinterpret the Chromie Squiggle in a way that challenges the idea of borders—both literal and metaphorical. By participating, artists contributed to a global conversation, using their art to transcend boundaries while supporting UNHCR’s mission to assist refugees and displaced communities around the world.
The open call generated close to 200 submissions from all over the world. The winning artwork, Handle With Care by Vinnie Hager, was selected by a panel of experts and will be featured in the digital auction alongside the other participating artists.
A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR protects people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution and works in more than 130 countries to protect millions of people by providing vital support, safeguarding human rights, and helping refugees to build a better future.
The project was initiated and led by Leila Khazaneh, avid digital art collector and Innovation Advisor to Switzerland for UNHCR. The auction is curated by Micol Ap, the founder and CEO of VerticalCrypto Art, a web3 curatorial studio dedicated to art and culture on the blockchain, offering advisory for collectors, projects and brands for web3. Micol also sits on the curatorial board of Art Blocks and has over nine years of experience working in the fields of technology and art.
Sygnum, a global digital asset banking group working to make value on the blockchain more accessible and trusted, is a partner supporting Switzerland for UNHCR for this auction on Christie’s 3.0.
An event will be held in Geneva on October 24, gathering the organizations, artists, and collectors. It will showcase the power of digital art and cryptophilanthropy in Switzerland, underscoring the value of innovation as blockchain technology and NFTs secure new avenues to support global humanitarian causes.
Sebastian Sanchez, Manager, Digital Art Sales, Christie’s, comments, “We are thrilled to be hosting this auction and artist open call to benefit the UNHCR. The selection of artists and the works they each contributed speak to the importance of fostering a sense of unity across diverse artistic practices.”
Cristina Davies, Executive Director, Switzerland for UNHCR, comments, “For millions of refugees and displaced people around the world, crossing borders has meant a lot of uncertainty and separation from their loved ones. Through this initiative, digital artists are not only challenging the concept of borders but also helping to bridge the gap between those forced to flee and the global community.”
Aliya DasGupta, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Ecosystem Outreach, Sygnum, comments, “Sygnum is honoured to collaborate with Switzerland for UNHCR and Christie’s and support both innovative digital artists to create value and impact and the UNHCR’s efforts to deliver assistance and safeguard human rights.”
