NEW YORK - Christie’s is pleased to present Cartography of the Mind, a Curated NFT Sale to Benefit the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in collaboration with Ryan Zurrer, founder of Dialectic and Vine Ventures. The sale will offer collectors a chance to bid on more than two dozen NFTs from a select group of the world's most prominent digital artists, including Beeple, Sarah Meyohas, Refik Anadol, Mad Dog Jones, IX Shells, and more. From June 21 - 28, the artwork will be on view at an exhibition powered by Atomic Form at Christie’s New York galleries and open for bidding online on christies.com. Sale proceeds will generously be donated to support the research of potentially life-saving psychedelic-assisted therapies led by MAPS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit research, education, and advocacy organization founded in 1986.
Noah Davis, Christie’s Head of Digital Art, comments, “Working closely with Ryan and co. to assemble the radical art in Cartography of the Mind has been a blast. MAPS is an organization which has benefited an incredible array of people, many of them artists, and I’m ecstatic to know that proceeds from this auction will go towards furthering their mission.”
Ryan Zurrer remarks, “We are deeply honored that such an extraordinary collection of digital artists have come together for psychedelic science.”
MAPS is the oldest and most widely recognized organization in the emerging psychedelics space, led by the visionary Rick Doblin, Ph.D. Mental health has arguably become the most protracted problem of our time, and breakthrough psychedelic therapies may become a key component of addressing the solution to the global mental health pandemic. MAPS’ clinical research of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, which is expected to be evaluated for approval by regulatory agencies beginning next year, has provided a model for many of the clinical research programs currently under way.
“There is an intrinsic connection between the psychedelic community and art. Art is often used to integrate psychedelic experiences, transcending language, culture, and experience to communicate what words simply cannot. We are honored to have these talented artists donate their art and grateful to Ryan and Christie's for their support of MAPS,” says Rick Doblin, Ph.D., MAPS founder and executive director.
The Art & Artists
The collection of artists who have come together in support of MAPS is remarkable, representative of a diverse cross-section of the most definitive figures within the digital art movement. A number of the artists have shared stories of inspiration behind their own artistic journeys having been informed by psychedelic experiences, which comes across collectively through the curation of artwork.
Artists include: Beeple, Refik Anadol, Mad Dog Jones, IX Shells, Alex Grey, Maxim Zhestkov, Sam Spratt, WLOP, Maciej Kuciara, Sarah Meyohas, David Choe, Brendan Dawes, Ash Thorp, Archan Nair, Dangiuz, Jake Fried, Andrés Reisinger, Six n Five, Forgotten Runes Wizard Cult, Toomuchlag, Victor Mosquera, Tom Sachs, Joshua Davis, Fvckrender, Casey Reas, Dustin Yellin, and Justin Aversano.
About Atomic Form
Atomic Form is a New York-based NFT infrastructure company building the tools needed for digital object management in both digital and physical spaces. They are providing blockchain verification and gallery management software for the exhibition of “Cartography of the Mind”.
Atomic Form has previously supported other Christie’s sales, including the historic first NFT sold in a photography lot at a major auction house (Justin Aversano, ”Twin Flames #83”) and at “The Gateway” during Art Basel, Miami 2021, which was the largest on-chain exhibition ever executed.
ABOUT MAPS
Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS is sponsoring the most advanced psychedelic therapy research in the world: Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Since MAPS was founded, philanthropic donors and grantors have given more than $130 million for psychedelic and marijuana research and education. MAPS has earned both the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Betty Aldworth, Director of Communications
maps.org/newsroom | (831) 429-6362 ext 303
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.