Sotheby’s Sells First Bitcoin Ordinals Poem for 0.28 BTC
Sotheby’s recently sold a poem titled “Cord” by Ana Maria Caballero for 0.28 Bitcoin or $11,430. The sale took place as part of the Natively Digital auction, which focused on Bitcoin Ordinals inscriptions.
The Significance of “Cord”
This sale marked the first time that Sotheby’s has sold an individual poem, excluding manuscripts and books. According to Michael Bouhanna, the Vice President and Head of Digital Art at Sotheby’s, this sale is significant because it affirms the value of written poetry on its own.
Caballero’s Exploration in the Digital Asset Industry
Ana Maria Caballero is a co-founder of theVerseverse, a digital poetry and NFT gallery. She has also collaborated with the Fahey/Klein Gallery to combine Allen Ginsberg’s photographs with AI-generated poetry. Sotheby’s praised Caballero’s work for challenging societal narratives and exploring the influence of biology on cultural rituals.
The Poetic Form of “Cord”
“Cord” is written in a poetic form called a villanelle, consisting of 19 lines divided into five stanzas. Caballero described the poem as being about motherhood and embodiment, making it particularly meaningful in a male-dominated space.
Hot Take: Sotheby’s Expands into Bitcoin Ordinals Poetry
Sotheby’s groundbreaking sale of Ana Maria Caballero’s poem “Cord” showcases the growing recognition and value of written poetry in the digital age. This auction marks a significant milestone for Sotheby’s as they venture into the world of Bitcoin Ordinals inscriptions. With the success of this sale, we can expect to see more unique and valuable literary works being traded in the crypto art market.