In an audacious move that blurs the lines between art, commerce, and social experiment, the avant-garde art collective MSCHF is poised to unveil its latest provocative creation, 'King Solomon's Baby.' This ambitious sculpture, set to debut in a live, participatory event, challenges conventional notions of art ownership and market value by literally dividing the artwork among its purchasers. Following their recent impactful 'Material Values' exhibition, MSCHF continues its exploration of societal constructs through interactive and often controversial artistic endeavors.
A Divisive Masterpiece: 'King Solomon's Baby' Comes to Life at Pioneer Works
On July 10, 2025, a significant date in the contemporary art calendar, the Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF will present 'King Solomon's Baby' at the esteemed Pioneer Works in New York. This large-scale sculpture, initially valued at $100,000 as a single, complete unit, is designed to undergo a transformative process based on its acquisition. Echoing the ancient wisdom of the biblical King Solomon, who proposed dividing a disputed child to reveal the true parent, MSCHF’s artwork will be physically sectioned if multiple buyers express interest. For instance, should two individuals purchase the piece, each would receive a $50,000 half; three buyers would lead to three corresponding segments, and so forth, creating a truly fragmented, yet collectively owned, masterpiece.
The public unveiling will commence with a reception from 7 PM to 9 PM at Pioneer Works. A pivotal moment will occur at 8:30 PM, when the ceremonial 'first slice' of the sculpture is performed, marking the beginning of its potential dismemberment. Over the subsequent two days, the sculpture will be meticulously divided into its final number of pieces in a durational performance, accessible both in person at Pioneer Works and via a live online stream. The fragmented components of the artwork will then remain on public display through Pioneer Works’ July Second Sunday event, allowing viewers to witness the tangible outcome of this unique purchasing mechanism. Sales for this groundbreaking project will commence simultaneously on kingsolomonsbaby.com at 2 PM EST, offering a democratic yet speculative opportunity for collectors to engage directly with the artwork's fate. This project extends MSCHF's history of creating participatory spectacles, following successful ventures like the Art Basel Miami 'ATM Leaderboard' and their notorious project of severing and selling individual dots from a Damien Hirst painting.
A Modern Parable on Value and Collective Ownership
From a critical perspective, MSCHF's 'King Solomon's Baby' is more than just an art installation; it's a profound social commentary and an economic experiment. The collective masterfully crafts a scenario that mirrors the complexities and absurdities of the art market, where value is often subjective and influenced by external factors. By introducing a 'financial trust fall' element, they compel potential buyers to consider not only their individual investment but also the collective impact of their decisions on the artwork's physical and conceptual integrity. This piece prompts us to question the nature of ownership in an increasingly shared and fragmented world. Does a piece retain its artistic merit when physically divided? Does its value increase or decrease with shared possession? MSCHF challenges us to contemplate these questions, pushing the boundaries of what art can be and how we interact with it in the digital age. It's a bold reminder that art, much like life, can be about the journey of shared experience and the profound questions it raises, rather than just the end product.