Gold Cube Worth $11.7M Makes Surprise Appearance At Venice Biennale

Does the stunning gold cube look familiar? That’s because it made a splash when it debuted in Central Park earlier this year, where the 186 kg (410 lbs) of pure 24-karat gold stood gleaming in the winter sun. 

In fact, as per Artnet News, the Castello Cube became such a sensation, it even inspired a sketch performed on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

Worth US$11.7 million, the conceptual art piece by German artist Niclas Castello has appeared once again, this time in Venice. 

Thousands of visitors got to sneak a peek at the fabled artwork, which of course, was again flanked by numerous security guards.

According to its creators, the “silent object” drummed up a lively racket in the city, with children carefully touching its surface, groups of onlookers snapping selfies, and art experts discussing the merit of the work all at the same time. 

“The CUBE is a conceptual work that seems to have carried from another world and is now standing on the cobbles of Venice, without a pedestal,” remarked art historian Dr Dieter Buchhart. 

Interestingly, the gold cube—despite its incredible value—has been making such public appearances so that it is accessible to everyone, and passers-by have the opportunity to “rediscover art in the open space.” 

All of this was funded by the previously-launched Castello Coin cryptocurrency, part of art and NFT platform Castello Forum, which aims to promote artists’ projects from around the world and make them more accessible to a wider audience. 

Who knows, maybe the gold cube will soon pop up in a town square near you!

[via Artnet News and Castello Cube / RealWire, images via Castello Cube / RealWire]