
Zurich, 16 October 2024 – Sygnum Bank is pleased to support Switzerland for UNHCR with Bridging Worlds: Digital Art Beyond Borders Benefitting UNHCR, an online auction presented by Christie’s, taking place on Christie’s 3.0 from 23 to 30 October.
Bridging Worlds aims to explore the transformative power of digital art in connecting worlds, transcending borders, and fostering a sense of unity across diverse artistic practices. Inspired by the 60th Biennale’s theme, “Stranieri Ovunque” – “Foreigners Everywhere,” the auction will feature a distinguished lineup of artists, including Andreas Gysin, Deafbeef, Emi Kusano, Erick Calderon (Snowfro), IX Shells, Iskra Velitchkova, Mario Klingemann, Niceaunties, OONA, and Sasha Stiles.
In addition, digital artists from around the globe were invited by Erick Calderon (aka Snowfro), Founder of Art Blocks and the Chromie Squiggle, to participate in an open call to reinterpret the Chromie Squiggle in a way that challenges the idea of borders—both literal and metaphorical. By participating, artists contributed to a global conversation, using their art to transcend boundaries while supporting UNHCR’s mission to assist refugees and displaced communities around the world.
The open call generated close to 200 submissions from all over the world. The winning artwork, “Handle With Care” by Vinnie Hager, was selected by a panel of experts and will be featured in the digital auction alongside the other participating artists.
A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR protects people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution and works in more than 130 countries to protect millions of people by providing vital support, safeguarding human rights, and helping refugees to build a better future.
The project was initiated and led by Leila Khazaneh, avid digital art collector and Innovation Advisor to Switzerland for UNHCR. The auction is curated by Micol Ap, the founder and CEO of VerticalCrypto Art, a web3 curatorial studio dedicated to art and culture on the blockchain, offering advisory for collectors, projects and brands for web3. Micol also sits on the curatorial board of Art Blocks and has over nine years of experience working in the fields of technology and art.
Sygnum, a global digital asset banking group working to make value on the blockchain more accessible and trusted, is a partner supporting Switzerland for UNHCR for this auction on Christie’s 3.0.
An event will be held in Geneva on 24 October, gathering the organisations, artists, and collectors. It will showcase the power of digital art and cryptophilanthropy in Switzerland, underscoring the value of innovation as blockchain technology and NFTs secure new avenues to support global humanitarian causes.
Sebastian Sanchez, Manager, Digital Art Sales, Christie’s, comments, “We are thrilled to be hosting this auction and artist open call to benefit the UNHCR. The selection of artists and the works they each contributed speak to the importance of fostering a sense of unity across diverse artistic practices.”
Cristina Davies, Executive Director, Switzerland for UNHCR, comments, “For millions of refugees and displaced people around the world, crossing borders has meant a lot of uncertainty and separation from their loved ones. Through this initiative, digital artists are not only challenging the concept of borders but also helping to bridge the gap between those forced to flee and the global community.”
Aliya DasGupta, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Ecosystem Outreach, Sygnum, comments, “Sygnum is honoured to collaborate with Switzerland for UNHCR and Christie’s and support both innovative digital artists to create value and impact and the UNHCR’s efforts to deliver assistance and safeguard human rights.”
Learn more about the artists in the auction from Christie’s here.
ENDS
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 7 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.
About Switzerland for UNHCR
Switzerland for UNHCR, is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner for Switzerland. We support UNHCR’s mission by mobilizing essential resources and raising awareness on behalf of those who are forced to flee. Switzerland for UNHCR also carries out awareness and advocacy initiatives to draw the general public’s attention to the plight of displaced people in the world, and to what UNHCR does to protect them.
About Sygnum
Sygnum is a global digital asset banking group, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. We empower professional and institutional investors, banks, corporates and DLT foundations to invest in digital assets with complete trust. Our team enables this through our institutional-grade security, expert personal service and a portfolio of regulated digital asset banking, asset management, tokenisation and B2B services.
In Switzerland, Sygnum holds a banking licence and has CMS and Major Payment Institution Licences in Singapore. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hubs of Abu Dhabi, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.
We believe that the future has heritage. Our crypto-native team of banking, investment and digital asset technology professionals are building a trusted gateway between the traditional and digital asset economies that we call Future Finance. To learn more about how Sygnum’s mission and values are shaping this digital asset ecosystem, please visit www.sygnum.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
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Sygnum Bank AG, Uetlibergstrasse 134a, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland
Jessica Stanley • [email protected] • +1 212 636 2680
Hugo Arruda • [email protected] • +33 6 27 81 84 70
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