These “oddly satisfying” animations are going under hammer at Sotheby’s Paris

Starting from March 17, Sotheby’s is set to hold the first-ever digital art and NFT auction in Paris, as part of the “Natively Digital” series. 

The upcoming sale, titled “Natively Digital: Oddly Satisfying,” features a total of 57 lots created by 3D artists across various disciplines who are exceptional at their craft, including Anyma, ARC, Andreas Wannersted, Beeple, Clement Morin, Jon Noorlander, Ryan Talbot, Filip Hodas, Lucas Zanotto, Olivier Latta, and more.

For this sale, the artists have set out to explore the theme of “oddly satisfying video” — a well-known internet phenomenon often referred to as visual ASMR — applying their distinctive aesthetic, concept, theme, and signature style to the resulting works of art.

The concept of “suspension of disbelief” was introduced by the poet and aesthetic philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1817. He believed that if a writer could infuse “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 employ similar tools to magicians and illusionists, with the shared objective of creating a reaction of astonishment in their audience. Oddly satisfying videos and 3D animations leverage the concept of suspended disbelief to captivate and mesmerize their audience, often portraying everyday experiences as cinematic and hyper-real.

Oddly satisfying videos have become a popular internet phenomenon, with viewers finding pleasure in repetitive events or actions. According to Evan Malone, a professor of art and film philosophy, the appeal of oddly satisfying videos may lie in their portrayal of everyday experiences as hyper-real.

As a result of their exploration of pleasure from the hyper-real, the artists featured in this auction have produced 3D animations that showcases their mastery of visual realistic design and clever use of sound design to create a deeply rooted sense of pleasure. 

The “Natively Digital: Oddly Satisfying” sale will begin on March 17 (10am CET) through March 24.