Collaboration marks the world's first major auction of virtual art created by virtual artists, with additional NFT drops by artists Gucci Ghost, OG Slick, Shantell Martin, Alex Pardee and more at Christie's beginning July 9
NEW YORK – In their obsessive pursuit of global notoriety, international synthetic artists Janky & Guggimon present Superplastic: The Janky Heist, a groundbreaking NFT drop created in collaboration with cutting-edge art and entertainment brand Superplastic and Christie’s.
The two-part drop begins on July 9 with the auction of eight unique artist-edition Cryptojanky NFTs during Christie’s Trespassing sale, and includes designs created by top NFT artists Gucci Ghost, OG Slick, Shantell Martin, Alex Pardee, Stickymonger, Alexandar Todorovic, in addition to two unique one-off pieces by Janky & Guggimon themselves. The online auction will be live from July 9-22.
In addition, on July 13 the pair will drop 9,240 one-of-a-kind NFTs in a Japanese reverse auction hosted at jankyheist.com.
The NFT drop features unique blockchain mechanics and is based on Superplastic: The Janky Heist, a short film Janky & Guggimon chopped together using police and security footage, and that follows the duo’s unsuccessful attempt to break into Christie’s New York at Rockefeller Center to steal rare works of art. After accidentally blowing up the building, the pair escape into the night with fistfuls of broken NFTs. The recombined pieces make up the 9,240 1/1 Cryptojanky NFTs that are for sale during the auction.
Sponsored by Superplastic and in collaboration with Christie’s, Superplastic: The Janky Heist begins at 4 p.m. ET on July 13.
With more than $3.5 million in NFT sales to date and six million obsessed fans worldwide—and with past partnerships that include Gucci, Fortnite, Gorillaz and Rico Nasty—Superplastic’s Janky & Guggimon are on their way to become the world’s first highly-successful virtual artists.
“We’re so excited to work with a venerable brand like Christie’s, and for Janky & Guggimon to collaborate with some of my favorite artists of all time,” said Superplastic CEO Paul Budnitz. “We’re also really sorry that Janky & Guggimon blew up Christie’s headquarters, and hope they’ll make a few bucks from the sale to cover some of the damages.”
Noah Davis, Digital Art Specialist at Christie’s, said, “Trespassing marks the first time we’ll be auctioning off works of art created by virtual artists, and Janky & Guggimon have been stellar partners—aside from the arson. We’re really looking forward to revealing this latest collection to the art world.”
The Janky & Guggimon NFT drop and Trespassing auction are part of an ongoing series of NFT sales that continues to position Christie’s at the forefront of the nascent non-fungible token (NFT) market. Christie’s was the first international auction house to sell an NFT of a purely digital work of art—setting a new world record for digital art, achieving the highest price for any lot in any online-only auction, the highest price for any winning bid placed online, and the highest total for any online-only auction with the sale of Beeple’s EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS for more than $69 million in March 2021.
ABOUT TRESPASSING AT CHRISTIE’S
Christie’s is pleased to present the second offering of Trespassing, a groundbreaking online sale curated together with Ronnie K. Pirovino. The sale traces graffiti’s influence on contemporary art and embraces the energy and humor of artists inspired by the medium. In 2020, the sale set numerous world auction records for artists such as Katherine Bernhardt and KAWS. Trespassing will feature works across collecting categories and mediums by leading names such as KAWS, Banksy, and Invader and will also juxtapose works by Jonas Wood, Allison Zuckerman and George Condo that share the same dynamic spirit. The sale will also feature a selection of 1/1 NFTs by Mad Dog Jones, Victor Mosquera, and Fvckrender among others.
ABOUT SUPERPLASTIC
Founded by artist & entrepreneur Paul Budnitz (KidRobot, Ello, Budnitz Bicycles), Superplastic is a global entertainment brand that creates, promotes, and manages animated celebrities. With more than six million dedicated followers worldwide, the Superplastic Universe includes Instagram and TikTok sensations Janky, Guggimon, Dayzee, Staxx, Pandakat, Kranky, Shüdog and many others. Superplastic has produced and sold many millions of dollars in limited-edition designer toys and apparel, with most drops selling out in minutes. In June 2021 Guggimon become one of only eight new playable characters in Fortnite. Other collaborations with top brands and celebrities include Gucci, Gorillaz, Rico Nasty, Saint Jhn, J.Balvin, County of Milan,Steve Aoki, Addfuel, McBess, Seen, FACT, Ricardo Cavolo, Complex, Volkswagen, Oscar Meyer, and many others.
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 8 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps.
* Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price - see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium.