Disappearing Satoshi statue in Lugano took 21 months to create, says artist

A disappearing statue honoring Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto, which was unveiled in Lugano, Switzerland over the weekend, took 18 months of study and three months to build, according to the artist.

Valentina Picozzi, the artist behind the Satoshigallery handle on X, said the project had a goal of connecting people to Bitcoin culture through art. She said her latest creation took 21 months to complete because of its special features.

The statue of a faceless figure working on a laptop can only be observed clearly from the side, while those looking from the direct front or rear will get a see-through effect due to its slit design.

The “statue disappears in front of the audience,” and “what’s left of Satoshi” is visible “between the lines of the code,” said Picozzi.

“Took 18 months to study how to make the concept of disappearing plus the idea of we are all Satoshi by placing yourself behind the statue.”

Picozzi, an Italian artist and orthodontist, first found Bitcoin in early 2012 and has since been working as an activist artist.

Made from 304 stainless steel and corten blocks, the statue is located in front of Lugano’s Villa Ciani, a mid-1800s mansion that now hosts events.

It was unveiled as part of Plan B’s annual forum in Lugano, which gathers blockchain industry leaders, government officials and Bitcoin enthusiasts in the city.

Satoshi Nakamoto, Switzerland, Hungary, Art
Source: Satoshigallery

The event has been held for the last three years, and Picozzi says the statue is also a celebration of the event and the mayor of Lugano, who has been heavily involved in trying to bring blockchain tech to the city.

Michele Foletti, mayor of Lugano, said the statue symbolizes the city’s ongoing commitment to digital innovations.

“Lugano is rapidly becoming a leading hub for digital innovation, and this statue honors Satoshi Nakamoto, but also embodies the forward-thinking spirit that drives our city,” he said.

“Lugano embraced and welcomed Bitcoin since three years and it’s now called the Bitcoin city. It was the first and we need to celebrate that we can find open mind politicians like Michele Foletti, come and verify youself!” added Picozzi.

The statue won’t always be at this location, Picozzi said, as a final resting place for her art is still to be decided. It will remain a part of the permanent collection of Parco Ciani in Lugano.

“At the moment is in Parco Ciani in front of Villa Ciani, but as the city has to do some works, it will be moved. As soon as I have the final location I will share with the community,” she said.

Plan B is a joint venture between Lugano and stablecoin issuer Tether, with the goal of promoting Bitcoin and blockchain tech as the foundation to transform Lugano’s financial infrastructure.

Another Satoshi Nakamoto in Hungary 

This isn’t the first time a city has decided to erect a statute of the pseudonymous Bitcoin creator; another bronze depiction of Satoshi Nakamoto was built at Budapest’s Graphisoft Park in 2021.

Satoshi Nakamoto, Switzerland, Hungary, Art
Source: Global Statistics 

Sculptors Gergely Réka and Tamás Gilly intentionally designed the figure with a hoodie to have a mirrored face.

According to the statue’s description, the mirrored face is so visitors can see themselves in the sculpture, referencing the idea that anybody could be the Bitcoin creator.

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