S otheby’s is thrilled to present the inaugural digital art and NFT auction held in Paris within the Natively Digital series, showcasing the mesmerizing world of 3D animation. Our latest sale, Natively Digital: Oddly Satisfying, features a hand-picked selection of 3D artists who are masters of their craft and world-renowned animators.

These are recognized professionals within the creative industries of advertising, music, and cinema whose works are sure to amaze and inspire. We are proud to support and feature the works of artists like Anyma, ARC, Andreas Wannersted, Clement Morin, Jon Noorlander, Ryan Talbot, Filip Hodas, Lucas Zanotto, Olivier Latta and more. Many of the artists featured in this sale have been a part of the NFT movement as early as 2020.

Each artist was given the task of exploring the theme of "Oddly Satisfying Video," a well-known internet phenomenon often referred to as visual ASMR. The resulting works of art represent each artist's distinctive aesthetic, concept, theme, and signature style. These mesmerizing pieces have a hypnotic, kinetic nature that questions the legacy of optical art in contemporary digital production, leaving you with an odd sense of satisfaction.

Natively Digital : Oddly Satisfying, présente une sélection d'artistes 3D mondialement célèbres parmi lesquels Anyma, ARC, Andreas Wannerstedt, Clément Morin, Jon Noorlander, Ryan Talbot, Filip Hodas, Lucas Zanotto, Olivier Latta. La plupart d’entre eux sont des professionnels reconnus dans les industries créatives de la publicité, de la musique, du cinéma et font partie du mouvement NFT depuis 2020.

Chaque artiste explore le thème de vidéo « étrangement satisfaisante », un phénomène souvent appelé ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, réponse automatique des méridiens sensoriels) et propose selon le concept choisi et son esthétique une réponse singulière. Ces œuvres hypnotiques questionnent l'héritage de l'art cinétique dans la production numérique contemporaine et vous laissant avec un « sentiment étrange de satisfaction ».

The concept of "suspension of disbelief" was first introduced by the poet and aesthetic philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1817. Coleridge suggested that if a writer could infuse a "human interest and a semblance of truth" into a fantastic tale, the reader would suspend judgment concerning the implausibility of the narrative. Visual effects and digital animation use similar tricks and tools to magicians and illusionists, with the shared objective of creating a reaction of astonishment upon their audience. In a sense, the wizards of the past and the internet wizards of today both leverage the concept of suspended disbelief. Whether it is pulling a rabbit out of a top hat or generating a seemingly impossible render, both aim to captivate and mesmerize their audience.

The term emerged on the internet forum Reddit after the /r/oddlysatisfying subreddit was established in 2013. Oddly satisfying videos have emerged as a popular internet phenomenon, often referred to as "visual ASMR". They showcase repetitive events or actions that viewers find pleasing and may watch as a form of escapism. The appeal of these videos is thought to lie in the human preference for symmetry, patterns, and repetition, as well as the interest in exploring the behavior of materials and mechanical movements. According to Professor Robert Colombo, watching oddly satisfying videos has been found to cause the release of happiness-inducing chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine. The satisfaction derived from these videos may also be related to mirror neurons and a subconscious urge toward achieving a "just right" feeling.

Evan Malone, a professor of art and film philosophy, theorized that the appeal of oddly satisfying videos may lie in their portrayal of everyday experiences as cinematic and, in Baudrillard's words, "hyper-real". The effect of watching such videos has been described as a "brain massage" or "lightly hypnotizing", and as a form of psychological self-care to help overcome stress or anxiety. The satisfaction derived from oddly satisfying videos may have to do with mirror neurons, which fire both when one performs a motion and when one watches someone else perform a motion. In a world of chaos and inelegance it can be reassuring to see order, control. If anything, the videos reveal that people with OCD aren’t anomalous in their desire to bring a pleasing equilibrium to their lives. These videos may offer a glimpse into the catharsis that the disorder denies those affected by it.

The artists featured in this auction have produced 3D animations that explore the theme of oddly satisfying videos, and the works are not just "shiny nicely looking loops". They showcase mastery of visual realistic design and clever uses of sound design to create a deeply rooted sense of pleasure. These artists are part of a long legacy of creators who have sought visual perfection in their art. The works of the artist in this auction have been stolen at numerous occasions and used by social media accounts for their own benefit, but with the rise of NFTs, these artists can finally be credited and compensated for their contributions to the art world. The satisfaction and pursuit of contentment are central themes across many philosophical and religious schools, and the works in this auction embody these concepts within the realm of digital art.