The famous Barcelona building, Casa Batlló, reinterprets its famous façade. A digital work of art that will be auctioned alongside Warhol’s “Marilyn” and alongside Monet, Basquiat and Van Gogh. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the association Aprenem Autisme and the Adana Foundation.
The “Casa Batlló: Living Architecture“ is a representation of the iconic façade of the Barcelona building, created by Turkish-American director and media artist Refik Anadol. The performance will take place at the Christie’s headquarters in New York on 10 May 2022.
Rendering of the Mapping on the iconic façade of Casa Batlló
The work, which is estimated at between 1 and 2 million dollars, is the only NFT in the series of auctions of the famous Christie’s Spring Marquee Week, which will take place from 9 to 14 May. It will feature works by Warhol, such as his Marilyn, works by Van Gogh, Monet, Rothko, Picasso, Basquiat and Bansky.
Casa Batlló, First UNESCO World Heritage Site
Casa Batlló is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site that has become a work of art, and not only that, but it is a living work of art; and all this has been possible thanks to NFT technology. This pioneering technology makes the piece change depending on the city’s weather data, collected in real time, at that moment. In addition to the anniversaries that are celebrated on the façade of the Casa Batlló; for example Christmas, Sant Jordi or social lighting in Barcelona;
Moreover, its artist, Refik Anadol, is not only the creator, but also a travelling companion for this new experience. The middle ground that exists between art and 21st century technology has become real to offer us a new look, beyond the current space and present time. And it does this by connecting past, present and future, winking at a humanist, visionary and, above all, innovative Gaudí.
“Gaudí is an incredible inspiration for any creator and Casa Batlló is a dream work to immerse oneself in.
-Refik Anadol
Furthermore, Casa Batlló: Living Architecture has not only brought a new and vibrant experience for viewers, but Refik Anadol has created an entirely new narrative in the world of technology and artificial intelligence, specifically in the world of NFT.
The artist Refik Anadol creating the immersive installation
An innovative project, but also a pioneer in neurodiversity
The other side of the project is the attention and support for neurodiversity. From the beginning of 2021, Casa Batlló: Living Architecture will have a whole team of visitor care staff, made up of more than 50 neurodivergent people thanks to the strategic alliance with the social organisation Specialisterne.
For this reason,10% of the donation from the auction of the same work will go to two local organisations specialised in comprehensive care and support for people with neurodivergence. One of them is the Associació Aprenem Autisme, which has an annual assistance to more than 6,000 people working for the daily inclusion of people with autism through a family care programme. The second one, theAdana Foundation, which offers a continuous treatment to more than 900 children and young people, from the early diagnosis to the therapeutic plan.
Organic inspiration
Another factor worth mentioning is the fact thatthe creator of the work had a difficult and important challenge: to reinterpret Gaudí’s work; its principles, its architecture, the sensations it conveys and the professionalism. Casa Batlló is a work to be immersed in forever, from its organic architecture, obviously inspired by nature, to the minute details of the famous mosaic. Beatriz Ordovás, Head of Contemporary and Post-War at Christie’s Iberia explained: “It is a privilege to reinterpret such a living legacy and bring it into the 21st century guided by artificial intelligence“.
Rendering of the installation at Rockefeller Plaza
Likewise, Casa Batlló: Living Architecture will be publicly exhibited in New York and, as mentioned above, there will also be a version in Barcelona for the general public.
One of the versions of the work will be screened for the first time at Casa Batlló, in a free mapping on the façade of the building on 7 May from 21:30 in different screenings, within the programme of the OFFF festival (from 5 to 7 May, Disseny Hub Barcelona) and the ISE Fair in Barcelona (from 10 to 13 May, Fira de Barcelona). Refik Anadol will participate as a keynotespeaker.
And of course, in New York, the work will be exhibited in a large-scale installation in Rockefeller Plaza, from 30 April to 13 May and is expected to be attended and, of course, enjoyed by some 7 million people. On 10 May, the 21st Century Evening Sale will take place at Christie’s in New York. And viewers will be able to watch the live broadcast on christies.com.
