UNKNOWN SITTER
UNKNOWN SITTER (PRIVACY COLLECTION - LOT 02)
1/1
PHYSICAL + DIGITAL
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Unknown Sitter is third lot (lot 02) of the Privacy Collection.
Historically, the subject of a portrait who could not be identified would be called an ‘Unknown Sitter.’ The sitter is visible, but not identified.
Unknown Sitter (2022) by Operator has similarities to others in that the sitter’s identity has also been lost—but there is another lost layer. Created through Operator’s Privacy Portraits, a durational performance installation in London where collectors had their portraits taken and anonymized, this portrait developed with no visible subject. As no names were attached to the photos, we have a sitter who is not only unidentifiable, but also invisible.
Even though Unknown Sitter appears to be blank, it is a portrait. There is a person in this photo, a person who is thinking about something they prefer to keep private–the prompt given to each sitter before the photo was taken. It may even be considered a portrait of absence.
The collector of Unknown Sitter receives both the physical and a digital portrait.
AUCTION DETAILS
Started: Oct 5, 6PM CET
Ended: OCT 15, 6PM CET
Reserve: 3,000XTZ
THE STORY OF UNKNOWN SITTER
VIDEO OVERVIEW
In the history of portraiture, the subject of a portrait who cannot be identified would be called an ‘Unknown Sitter’
At Proof of People London, Operator anonymized 67 collectors‘ portraits using analog algorithms: Privacy Portraits.
One anomalous polaroid developed with no visible subject.
A contemporary Unknown Sitter emerged.
A PORTRAIT OF ABSENCE
Unknown Sitter is presented in partnership with VerticalCrypto Art. A continuation of Privacy Portraits, first presented at Proof of People in London in July, a three day festival for art & blockchain by VerticalCrypto Art.
VerticalCrypto Art is a web3 curated platform for art & culture established in June of 2020.
