It is the first time that an auction company – in this case, Christie's – sold a piece of art you cannot touch.
这是佳士得(Christie’s)拍卖公司首次出售这样一件虚拟的艺术作品。
Artwork similar to BEEPLE's piece is now known as an NFT, or Non-Fungible Token. Artists use technology called blockchain to prove they are selling original work.
BEEPLE will keep making money each time his art sells. He has a contract that pays him 10 percent of the selling price each time someone new becomes the owner.
BEEPLE makes art about technology, wealth and American politics. He has also made art for music performances by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and One Direction.
He said without the new technology that proves the identity of the owner and the creator, there was "no way to collect digital art."
他表示,如果没有能证明所有者和创作者身份的新技术,“就没有办法收集数字艺术品。”
Last month, a 10-second video showing an image of former U.S. President Donald Trump sold on an NFT marketplace for over $6 million.
上个月,一段展示美国前总统特朗普的10秒视频在NFT市场上以600万美元的价格成交。
When asked about his artwork selling for over 10 times that, Beeple said: "It's so crazy."
当被问及他的作品售价超过10倍时,BEEPLE称:“这太疯狂了。”
Since the technology is so new, not many people know what the future holds for NFT art. Some may grow in value while others may become worthless, BEEPLE said.