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

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

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

Grateful for the opportunity to make a statue of Satoshi Nakamoto for the city of Lugano 🇨🇭displayed in Parco Ciani.

The statue disappears in front of the audience and what’s left of Satoshi in visible “between the lines” (of the code) for all the #bitcoin users.#bitcoinart https://t.co/tf6SOe2sxi pic.twitter.com/eW1VE5xwKk

— Satoshigallery (@satoshigallery) October 25, 2024

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 since then has been working as an activist artist.

Made from 304 stainless steel and corten block, the statue is 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. 

The event has been running 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 is a symbol of 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.

Related: Inside Lugano’s crypto revolution — A documentary

However, the statue won’t always be at this location, Picozzi said a final resting place for her art is still to be decided, but it will still be 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. 

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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