NEW YORK, NY.- In an exciting development for art enthusiasts and philanthropists, the non-profit ArtSee Project has unveiled an extraordinary opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind work by renowned artist Maurizio Cattelan. This unique piece has been generously donated to support the organization’s mission of making art accessible to all through its innovative mobile art platform, Mister ArtSee.

The ArtSee Project is offering this exceedingly rare work as a gift to the highest donor in its 2024 Holiday Fund Drive, which concludes on December 31, 2024.

Cattelan originally designed this piece for his solo exhibition The Artist Is Present at the Yuz Museum in 2018. What makes this item truly exceptional is that it was originally intended for a limited-edition run but was never produced, elevating its status to that of a unique work of art. Adding to its significance, the piece was worn by Cattelan himself during the exhibition’s opening, marking it as the first performative work created for one of his opening celebrations and a prime example of his satirical conceptual practice.



“This is an unprecedented opportunity for art collectors, Cattelan enthusiasts, or even museums,” said Dabora Choi, Outreach Director for the ArtSee Project. “Not only is this a work with a tangible connection to one of contemporary art’s most provocative figures, but it also represents a significant exhibition in his career.”

The artwork is mounted and displayed according to Cattelan's written specifications and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a personalized email of proof. Additionally, the winning donor will receive exclusive items from the Yuz exhibition, including a satirical New York Times newspaper created for the show and a hand-signed limited edition of ToiletPaper Volume II: Platinum Collection, with the Cattelan-designed frog watch also included.

This fundraising initiative comes on the heels of Cattelan’s recent headline-grabbing work, in which a banana duct-taped to a wall sold for an astonishing $6.2 million at Sotheby’s. The sale sparked debates about the art market’s excesses and elitism, prompting ArtSee Project’s Executive Director and Founder, Elliott Arkin, to comment: “This is a chance for collectors to acquire an even rarer work by Maurizio Cattelan—unlike the banana, which is one of five editions—and have all proceeds go towards art education and community outreach through Mister ArtSee.”

How to Participate

Interested donors can submit their offers via email to MisterArtSee@aol.com. The highest donation offer will secure the gift, with 100% of the funds directly supporting Mister ArtSee’s mission to bring art and education to underserved communities. It's important to note that all other offers are not binding commitments to donate to Mister ArtSee or the ArtSee Project.

The winning donor will be responsible for obtaining an independent appraisal of the artwork for tax-deductible purposes. When asked about its value, Arkin noted: “Estimates for Cattelan’s work range widely—from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a non-profit, we decided to let the highest donor arrange their own appraisal.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary chance to own a Maurizio Cattelan original while supporting a meaningful
cause.

For more details, visit the official Mister ArtSee website at www.MisterArtSee.org or contact MisterArtSee@aol.com



The ArtSee Project

Founded in 2009, the ArtSee Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making art accessible through innovative programming and its mobile arts vehicle, Mister ArtSee. Designed with assistance from influential artists like Vito Acconci, Mister ArtSee brings art experiences to neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces, focusing on underserved communities and children.

Mister ArtSee serves as a national symbol advocating for arts education, akin to Smokey Bear’s role in
forest conservation.

In 2019, Mister ArtSee reached a significant milestone when it completed the largest private donation in New York State history by distributing over $2 million worth of art educational materials to Title I schools throughout the area, Chicago, and Connecticut ( https://hyperallergic.com/503358/a-nonprofit- distributes-2-million-worth-of-art-supplies-and-books-to-new-york-city-public-schools/ ).

After a forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mister ArtSee resumed in 2024, being both a work of art and a space for art, offering new modes of experience—a laboratory for new forms and perspectives that inspires children and adults to see and think differently about art, with possibilities limited only by the imagination of its participants.

Made possible with the support of the Walter Annenberg Foundation, Agnes Gund, Lawrence Benenson, Rose Caiola, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, and others, the program continues to spark creativity and imagination across the country.