Exclusive: Sotheby’s & Seedphrase Announce Auction for Set of Seven Autoglyphs

Sotheby’s has announced an upcoming auction titled “Algorithmic Primitivism: Autoglyphs – A Set of Seven Types,” featuring seven rare Autoglyphs from the Seedphrase collection.

The sealed bid auction will run from October 7 to October 10, 2024, offering collectors a unique opportunity to own one of the most important digital art collections. Estimated to sell for over $3.5 million, this is the first time a set of seven Autoglyphs will be available at auction.

Autoglyphs, created in 2019 by Larva Labs, are considered a significant milestone in the history of digital and generative art. They were the first artworks to be fully created and stored on the Ethereum blockchain, making them both tamper-proof and permanent. Unlike other digital artworks that rely on off-chain storage, Autoglyphs exist entirely on-chain, making them a unique intersection of art and technology.

“This lot of seven Autoglyphs, each representing a distinct symbol, offers a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire historical digital artifacts that are otherwise impossible to obtain in today’s market,” says Seedphrase. “For anyone looking to add a truly groundbreaking piece of digital art history to their collection, this auction presents a one-of-a-kind moment.”

A Rare Collection of Seven

This auction marks a rare occasion for collectors, as it’s the first time a set of seven distinct types of Autoglyphs will be up for public bidding. The set includes Autoglyph #139 (Type 2), Autoglyph #194 (Type 3), Autoglyph #185 (Type 4), and others, each representing a different type from the 512 unique pieces in the original collection.

“Autoglyphs are not just artworks; they represent a monumental leap in the evolution of digital art,” says Michael Bouhanna, Sotheby’s Head of Digital Art. “As the first fully on-chain generative artworks, they embody the intersection of creativity, technology, and permanence. The opportunity to acquire a set of seven Autoglyphs is an extraordinary event, as such collections are incredibly rare in the market. Each piece is a unique exploration of algorithmic beauty and a testament to the innovative spirit of our time.”

Art Meets Technology

Each Autoglyph is generated by an algorithm using 10 distinct types of symbols, resulting in millions of unique configurations. The simplicity and repetition in their design echo movements like Minimalism, and their creation through code offers a fresh perspective on the role of machines and algorithms in art. Influences from artists like Sol LeWitt and François Morellet are evident in their systematic approach to creation.

Autoglyphs have also earned a place in major art institutions. For example, Autoglyph #25 is part of the collection at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and Autoglyph #115 was recently added to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. These acquisitions highlight the importance of Autoglyphs as pioneering works in both generative and digital art.

Last week, Larva Labs auctioned “Autoglyph 30” at Loïc Gouzer’s Fair Warning Auction House for charity. The auction closed at $413,000 and was widely regarded as a major success, both for the estimate-exceeding result and the sale’s role in elevating the project to the traditional art world.

“The recent success of the Autoglyph sale on Fair Warning comes as no surprise,” says Bouhanna. “The market consistently responds with enthusiasm when top-tier works make an appearance, demonstrating that there is still strong demand for exceptional digital art. Collectors are showing an eagerness to acquire pieces of indisputable quality and provenance, reinforcing the notion that the digital art market thrives when only the best is offered. This trend not only highlights the sophistication of buyers but also signals the growing confidence in the long-term value of iconic digital artworks.”

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