An Italian artist sold a ‘Invisible Sculpture’ for $18,300: It’s literally made of nothing
In May 2021, Italian artist Salvatore Garau made headlines. He sold an invisible sculpture for $18,300. Titled Io Sono (“I Am”), the piece exists only in concept.
The buyer received a certificate of authenticity. No physical object was included. Garau described the work as “made of air and spirit.”
It’s meant to stimulate the imagination. “You don’t see it, but it exists,” he said. The sale sparked global debate. Some called it genius. Others labeled it a scam.
Who is Salvatore Garau?
Salvatore Garau, a 67-year-old Italian conceptualist, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. Born in Sardinia, he has a background in music and visual arts.
He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. His career spans decades, with works exhibited across Europe.
Garau is known for his “immaterial sculptures.” These pieces exist only in the mind of the viewer.
For example, Buddha in Contemplation was displayed in Milan’s Piazza della Scala in February 2021.
It was marked by a square of tape on the pavement. Another work, Afrodite Piange, appeared in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
It was represented by an empty white circle, supported by the Italian Cultural Institute.
Garau’s philosophy centers on the power of thought. He believes art can transcend physical form.
“When I decide to ‘exhibit’ an immaterial sculpture in a given space, that space will concentrate a certain amount and density of thoughts at a precise point,” he explained.
The result is a sculpture that takes varied forms in the viewer’s mind. His approach draws on imagination and perception, challenging traditional definitions of art.
The Concept Behind Io Sono
Io Sono is not a physical object. Garau calls it a “vacuum” filled with energy. He references the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
This scientific concept suggests that even empty space has weight and energy. “The vacuum is nothing more than a space full of energy,” Garau said.
“Even if we empty it and there is nothing left, that ‘nothing’ has a weight. Therefore, it has energy that is condensed and transformed into particles, that is, into us”.
The sculpture exists as “air and spirit.” It invites viewers to imagine its form. Garau compares it to shaping an unseen God, emphasizing its spiritual and intellectual presence.
The work requires specific conditions for display. It must be in a private home. The space should be roughly five-by-five feet.
No obstructions are allowed. Artificial lighting or climate control is unnecessary. These instructions, provided with the certificate, reinforce the piece’s immaterial nature.
The Auction and Its Aftermath
The auction took place at Art-Rite, an Italian auction house. The sale made headlines worldwide. News outlets like NPR and The Independent covered the story.
Social media buzzed with reactions. Some praised the sale as a bold artistic statement.
Others mocked it as absurd. The high price, exceeding the estimate, fueled debates about the art market’s priorities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Artist | Salvatore Garau |
| Sculpture Title | Io Sono (“I Am”) |
| Sale Date | May 18, 2021 |
| Sale Price | $18,300 (€15,000) |
| Estimated Value Range | $7,000–$11,000 (€6,000–€9,000) |
| Auction House | Art-Rite |
| Buyer Items | Certificate of authenticity, exhibition instructions (5×5 ft unobstructed space) |
| Artist’s Explanation | Vacuum is a space full of energy, per Heisenberg uncertainty principle |
| Other Works Mentioned | Buddha in Contemplation, Afrodite Piange, LOVE, IMMENSE LOVE |
Public and Critical Reactions
Public reactions were polarized. On social media, skepticism dominated.
A YouTube comment on a video about Io Sono read, “So you really just taped a square and called that a sculpture?”.
Art critics had mixed views. Some saw Io Sono as a continuation of conceptual art traditions. Others questioned its originality.
The sale was compared to Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, a signed urinal from 1917. Like Duchamp, Garau challenges what qualifies as art.
Supporters argued that the piece’s value lies in its ability to provoke thought. Critics, however, called it a publicity stunt.
A 2025 article by YourStory asked, “Is it genius or just a bold scam?”. The debate highlighted tensions between traditional and conceptual art.
A Lawsuit Threat
The controversy took a legal turn. Tom Miller, a performance artist from Gainesville, Florida, claimed Garau stole his idea.
In 2016, Miller installed an invisible sculpture called Nothing at Bo Diddley Community Plaza. He believed Io Sono copied his concept.
“When I saw that, I thought ‘that’s exactly my idea,’” Miller said. “Ideas are important in the world, and recognition for those ideas are important”.
Miller hired Italian attorney Richard Fabiani. Fabiani sent a letter to Garau, demanding recognition and compensation.
“We think that it is clear that Mr. Miller created his work before Mr. Garau,” Fabiani stated. “Mr. Miller clearly deserves to have his work recognized.”
No lawsuit has been filed yet. The threat underscores the challenges of originality in conceptual art, where ideas are the medium.
Conceptual Art: Where Ideas Trump Matter
Io Sono fits into a rich history of conceptual art. In the 1960s, artists like Yves Klein explored immateriality.
Klein’s Zones of Immaterial Pictorial Sensibility involved selling empty space for gold, with buyers receiving a certificate.
Garau’s work follows this tradition. It prioritizes the idea over the object. “It is a work that asks you to activate the power of the imagination,” Garau said.
Other artists have taken similar approaches. John Cage’s 4’33”, a silent musical composition, relies on ambient sounds.
Yoko Ono’s Instruction Paintings invite viewers to imagine actions. Garau’s sculptures, like these works, exist in the viewer’s mind.
They challenge the notion that art must be tangible. This aligns with the broader movement of dematerialization, where art is about ideas, not objects.
The Value of Nothing in Today’s Art Market
The sale of Io Sono reflects trends in the art market. In 2021, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) gained popularity.
For example, Beeple’s NFT sold for $69.3 million at Christie’s . Like NFTs, Io Sono derives value from conceptual ownership.
Both rely on certificates to prove authenticity. This suggests a shift toward valuing intangible assets.
Garau has distanced himself from NFTs. In an interview, he said he would never create one, preferring the purity of immaterial art.
Yet, the parallels are clear. Both challenge traditional notions of value. They ask whether art needs a physical form to be worth millions.
Garau’s Other Invisible Works
Garau has created other immaterial sculptures. In 2023, he installed LOVE, IMMENSE LOVE in Jerusalem.
One piece was placed on the Temple Mount, another near the Western Wall. Each was marked by a white circle.
“Made from the same material that love itself is made,” Garau said. “You must look at them with the eyes of your heart”.
He plans to create seven such works globally. These pieces reinforce his commitment to immaterial art.
Art in the Age of Imagination
Salvatore Garau’s Io Sono challenges what art can be. It asks whether value lies in the object or the idea.
The $18,300 sale price reflects a willingness to invest in concepts. It also sparks debate about the art market’s future.
Is this a bold new direction or a fleeting stunt? The answer depends on perspective. For Garau, the work’s success lies in its ability to provoke thought.
“You don’t see it, but it exists,” he insists. As the art world evolves, Io Sono will remain a touchstone for discussions about imagination, value, and the essence of art.
