An Italian artist has sold an invisible sculpture for $18,000.
According to HypeBeast, the artwork in question is the brainchild of Salvatore Garau, and has been dubbed "Io Sono" - which translates in English as "I am".
The artwork consists of a 5×5-foot square on the ground and is intended to be displayed in a private space free from obstructions, electric lighting, and air conditioning.
After selling the artwork, HypeBeast reports that Garau provided the private buyer with a certificate of authenticity to prove its legitimacy, despite being composed of "air and spirit".
Per the publication, Garau elaborated on the meaning and intention behind his work by describing it as a "vacuum", stating:
"The vacuum is nothing more than a space full of energy, and even if we empty it and there is nothing left, according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, that ‘nothing’ has a weight.
"Therefore, it has [an] energy that is condensed and transformed into particles. That is, into us."
Garau previously shared a short video of another postmodernist invisible sculpture, which he dubbed "Buddha in Contemplation," with his 1,500 followers on Instagram back in May.
This clip shows the empty space of nothingness, which was cordoned off from public intrusion, in the Piazza della Scala in the city of Milan.
Sixty-seven-year-old Garau, who also describes himself as a writer, director, and drummer for the band Stormy Six, hails originally from the island of Sardinia and is well known in Italy for his abstract work.
On social media, a number of Twitter users have since reacted with skepticism to the concept, while others have praised his vision.
One Twitter user joked: "I have a garage full of exquisite original invisible #art pieces I have made in the last few years.
"I will be selling them off at a fraction of the price that #salvatoregarau auctioned his for. Contact me for details! Calling all #wealthy #rich #bored #loaded [sic]"
Another critic stated: "Am I the only one who thinks that he might *possibly* be taking the p*** here, massively.
"‘You do not see it but it exists. It is made of air and spirit.’ Ok."
However, a fan of Garau's commented: "Ain’t that something. An artist literally sold thin air."
Finally, someone else wrote: "What a great find. Love it. ‘After all,’ Salvatore Garau says, ‘Don’t we shape a god we’ve never seen'."
So, is Garau's sculpture a genuine work of art? Or is this a money-making scheme? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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