Salvatore Garau's Invisible Art: A Modern Phenomenon
In 2021, Italian artist Salvatore Garau sold an invisible sculpture for €15,000, challenging traditional perceptions of art and sparking debates about its intangible nature.
It might sound ludicrous, but it's the truth. In 2021, Italian artist Salvatore Garau sold an artwork that doesn't physically exist for €15,000 (over $18,000). The work, titled "Io Sono" (I Am), was put up for auction and surprisingly received a bid far higher than most expected despite its intangible nature.
Salvatore Garau's philosophy behind such art forms is quite fascinating. He believes that his work does not exist in material form but is composed of spirit and thought—a minimalistic approach to art. According to Garau, even though viewers don't see anything tangible or physical, the vacuum isn’t anything but a space full of energy.
This concept isn't entirely new in the realm of modern art. Artists like Yoko Ono and Chris Burden have also created works focusing on perception and thought entities rather than physical objects. These creations spark fresh dialogues about what constitutes 'art.' Are only things perceptible by our senses worthy of being called art, or can conceptual thoughts transcend physical boundaries to be appreciated as artistic creations?
Garau's bold move raises questions about the future of art. Will we hear more about invisible art, or will this trend fade away as an eccentric whim? The sale of "Io Sono" opens new possibilities for how art is defined and appreciated.
References
- CNN. (2021). Italian artist sells invisible sculpture for more than $18,000. Retrieved from CNN
- The Guardian. (2021). Italian artist sells invisible sculpture for €15,000. Retrieved from The Guardian