Sotheby’s recently made headlines by selling an Ordinals inscribed poem titled “Cord” by Ana Maria Caballero for 0.28 Bitcoin or $11,430. This sale was part of the Natively Digital auction, an online event featuring Bitcoin Ordinals inscriptions. The Natively Digital collection aimed to provide a comprehensive exploration of NFT-like Ordinals on Bitcoin, showcasing significant early inscriptions.
In addition to acquiring the inscription, the buyer of “Cord” will receive a signed print of the poem, making it a unique and valuable acquisition. Michael Bouhanna, the Vice President and Head of Digital Art at Sotheby’s, announced on Twitter that “Cord” was the first individual poem ever sold by the esteemed auction house, excluding manuscripts and books. This adds another layer of significance to the sale and reflects the growing interest in digital assets in the art world.
Caballero expressed her belief that the sale of “Cord” represents an affirmation of the intrinsic value of written poetry as it stands on its own, without any additional visuals, sound, or experiences attached. This is a significant statement for the poetry world within the context of the emerging digital asset industry.
“Cord” will be featured in Caballero’s upcoming book, titled “Mammal,” further solidifying its importance in her body of work. The Natively Digital auction also featured notable artists such as FAR, XCPinata, Nullish, Rudxane, and others, indicating the growing popularity of NFT-like Ordinals on Bitcoin.
In the broader context of Caballero’s work, this sale represents her continued push into the digital asset industry. Along with her co-founders, she established theVerseverse, a digital poetry and NFT gallery, demonstrating her commitment to evolving with the changing landscape of the art world.
Sotheby’s recognizes Caballero’s exploration of the influence of biology on societal and cultural rituals, and her ability to challenge prevailing narratives in her work. This multidimensional approach to poetry and art has drawn attention and contributed to the success of the “Cord” sale and her broader body of work.
The sale of “Cord” stands as a testament to the value of authentic and meaningful art in the digital realm. It also reflects the broader trend of digital art sales in the industry, with Sotheby’s reporting significant sales in 2023, highlighting the growing interest in NFTs and digital assets.
