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ICYMI—Misha Kahn’s NFT’s in Christie’s first ever NFT auction

Last year, the first-ever design NFT auction at a major house saw sculptor Misha Kahn debut ten dematerialized pieces of furniture.

“What is really interesting to me about the idea of selling an NFT of a design object is that you can express yourself in an object that doesn’t need to be materialised.” — Misha Kahn

In August last year, Christie’s announced the offering of the first ever design non-fungible token (NFT) auction at a major auction house, presented in partnership with acclaimed designer Misha Kahn.

Called Furniture Unhinged, the collection up for auction was illustrative of the sculptor’s irreverent approach and encompassed a wide range of techniques and tools, from lo-fi collage and improvisational moulds to virtual reality and robotics. 

Misha Kahn _ NFTs _ Furniture Unhinged _ Christie _
© Nipper’s Last Grasp by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4

Furniture Unhinged presented ten NFTs, each comprising a unique 3D model rendered as an FBX file together with a corresponding MP4 single-channel “trophy” video of the object spinning on a pedestal.

The starting point for each NFT design is a 13-second animation by Kahn, from which the designer froze an individual frame to create the physical 3D-printed piece.

Each of the ten lots represented a biomorphic protagonist morphing into various furniture types and functions within a virtual, off-world architectural space.

© Bounty’s Basin by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4

We’re still learning about NFT’s

We’ve been speaking to 3D designers and other experts about the current market for NFT’s but there’s still a lot we don’t know about them, for example the myriad ways they can be sold and purchased.

Here, in a departure from previous NFT-based artworks, Kahn has allowed each of the lots purchased at the auction to be 3D-printed as many times as the owner would like, and/or they may commission one unique, signed example which Kahn will render in a mutually agreed-upon material.

It’s representative of the designer’s desire to promote localised production in a way that is useful, rather than produce something with a large carbon footprint that can’t be manufactured in real life.

© It Must Have Been the Clams by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
© I present to you by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
Misha Kahn _ NFTs _ Furniture Unhinged _ Christie _
© Next to Nothin’ by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
Misha Kahn _ NFTs _ Furniture Unhinged _ Christie _
© Sploosh by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
© Clink Clank Clunk by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
© What Happened in the Berry Patch by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
Misha Kahn _ NFTs _ Furniture Unhinged _ Christie _
© A Ride on a Slug’s Back by Misha Kahn (2021) –
Printable 3D model (FBX with vertex colors) together with an MP4
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