Sotheby’s is thrilled to present EVENT, a collection of 500 algorithmic artworks by conceptual artist Bernar Venet, that explores the interplay of chance and unpredictability in the digital realm, building on his six-decade exploration of chance and entropy across diverse mediums such as sculpture, painting, drawing, poetry, sound, design, and photography.

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EVENT (2024) embraces blockchain technology, allowing collectors to mint a never-before-seen output of his proprietary algorithm in a dynamic and interactive experience. This algorithm extends Venet's relentless pursuit of transforming art history. By merging his profound understanding of sculpture with the languages of science and mathematics, he creates a unique and thought-provoking digital experience. This series marks a new chapter in Venet's oeuvre, inviting viewers to explore the captivating dimensions of long-form on-chain creativity.

Embracing the unexpected has been a hallmark of Venet's practice, and EVENT is no exception. Drawing inspiration from his earlier works like Pile of Coal (1963) and Accident (1996), which featured performative actions and the collapse of bars, EVENT (2024) melds sculpture with the algorithm, beckoning viewers to join a profound journey through his evolving creative landscape."

Bernar Venet, born in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban (France) in 1941, is a master of art transformation. A New York resident since 1966, he now resides in Le Muy, where he opened the Venet Foundation in 2014.

His artistic journey began with radical stances in Nice, evolving upon arrival in the US and aligning him with Minimalist and conceptual art pioneers.

Venet's acclaim spans monumental corten steel sculptures, painting, performance, poetry, video, sound, design, and photography. His work graces prestigious institutions globally, from Centre Pompidou to MoMA and the Guggenheim, with public commissions across Asia, Europe, and the United States, and global appearances at Versailles and the tallest public artwork in the world L’Arc Majeur, all testaments to his influence and contributions to the world through his art.

Over the last six decades, Venet's practice has responded to the contemporary moment, exploring new processes, materials, and technologies while staying true to his overarching exploration of order and disorder. Yet, what sets Venet apart is his unyielding exploration of lines, rejection of metaphorical expression, embracing literal decisions, and anchoring his work in science and mathematics. His art navigates the realms of monosemy, where everything is denotative, objective, and immediate.