Auction house Christie’s has partnered with connected fashion brand MNTGE to offer a physical patch inspired by one of Keith Haring’s digital drawings currently available for sale as NFTs. The auction event, titled “Keith Haring: Pixel Pioneer,” is featuring digital artworks created on a Commodore Amiga computer in 1987 and minted as Ethereum NFTs by the Keith Haring Foundation. MNTGE has converted one of these drawings, specifically “Keith Haring: Untitled #2” from April 16, 1987, into a vintage-style patch.
These patches come equipped with near-field communication (NFC) technology, each containing an embedded chip tied to a unique Ethereum NFT. This NFT acts as a blockchain-based digital certificate and proof of ownership.
While the NFT auction boasts estimates ranging from $220,000 to $500,000 per artwork, the patches are far more affordable, priced at just $39.99 each. Starting today, these patches are available for a limited time through the MNTGE website.
This collaboration expands on MNTGE’s recent drop, titled “Patchwork,” which featured a collection of NFT patches that could be redeemed for physical versions with embedded NFC chips, all custom-designed by contemporary artists.
The partnership between Christie’s, the Keith Haring Foundation, and MNTGE began in July when MNTGE hosted a dinner for the Christie’s Art + Tech Summit, where guests received exclusive NFC chip-enabled jackets.
Nick Adler, co-founder of MNTGE, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the natural synergy between the three teams. He described the project as a rare opportunity.
Christie’s Vice President and Director of Digital Art Sales, Nicole Sales Giles, shared her thoughts on the auction and Keith Haring’s potential involvement in the Web3 and traditional art worlds if he were alive today. She believes Haring’s art has broad appeal and that this sale will bridge the gap between traditional art collectors and the Web3 community.
By introducing these patches, the collaboration may further underscore Haring’s belief that “art is for everybody,” aligning with his legacy of making art accessible to a wide audience, both through established art institutions and the streets of New York City.
Sales Giles noted Haring’s impact, stating that his ability to bring art to everyone made him a pioneer of his era, emphasizing the connection between his art and his influence on contemporary culture.
