Italian Artist Salvatore Garau Sells “Invisible” Sculpture For $18,000

In the art world, there are no rules, only opinions and preferences.

An Italian artist Salvatore Garau recently sold an invisible sculpture for 15,000 euros ($18,300).

According to as.com, the sculpture’s initial price was set between 6,000 and 9,000 euros; however, the price was raised after several bids were placed.

The sculpture, which is titled “Io Sono” (Italian for “I am”), is “immaterial” according to the 67-year-old artist, meaning the sculpture does not actually exist.

Though he’s received much critique for the sale, Garau argues that his work of art isn’t “nothing,” but is instead a “vacuum.”

“The vacuum is nothing more than a space full of energy, and even if we empty it and there is nothing left, according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, that ‘nothing’ has a weight,” Garau said of the statue according to as.com.

“Therefore, it has energy that is condensed and transformed into particles, that is, into us.”

According to Italy 24 News, Garau instructed that the sculpture must be displayed in a private home free from any obstruction, in an area that is about 5 ft. long by 5 ft. wide. Because the piece does not exist, there are no special lighting or climate requirements.

Multiple outlets report that the only tangible item the buyer will receive is a certificate of authentication that is both signed and stamped by Garau.

This is not the first immaterial sculpture Garau has “created”, however, this is the first he has sold.