A remarkable new statue dedicated to the founder of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, has been unveiled in Lugano, Switzerland. The artist, Valentina Picozzi, known as Satoshigallery, spent 18 months researching and three months building the statue. Picozzi’s aim was to connect people to Bitcoin culture through art, and this latest creation took a total of 21 months to complete due to its unique features.
The statue portrays a faceless figure working on a laptop and can only be clearly seen from the side. When viewed from the front or back, it appears transparent due to its slit design. Picozzi describes the statue as “disappearing in front of the audience,” with only fragments of Satoshi visible “between the lines of the code.”
Constructed from 304 stainless steel and corten block, the statue stands in front of Villa Ciani, a mansion from the mid-1800s that now serves as an events venue in Lugano. It was revealed as part of the annual forum organized by Plan B, which brings together blockchain industry leaders, government officials, and Bitcoin enthusiasts in the city.
Picozzi explains that the statue also celebrates the forum and the Mayor of Lugano, who has played a significant role in promoting blockchain technology in the city. Michele Foletti, the Mayor of Lugano, sees the statue as a symbol of the city’s commitment to digital innovation. He believes that Lugano is rapidly becoming a leading hub for such innovations and that the statue embodies the forward-thinking spirit of the city.
However, the statue will not remain in its current location indefinitely. Picozzi is still deciding on a final resting place for her artwork, but it will be included in the permanent collection of Parco Ciani in Lugano.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that a statue of Satoshi Nakamoto has been erected. Budapest’s Graphisoft Park unveiled a bronze depiction of the pseudonymous Bitcoin creator in 2021. Sculptors Gergely Réka and Tamás Gilly intentionally designed the figure with a hoodie and a mirrored face. The mirrored face allows visitors to see themselves in the sculpture, symbolizing the idea that anyone could be the true identity behind Satoshi Nakamoto.