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Sophia Instantiation, an NFT artwork created with digital artist Andrea Bonaceto, sold at auction in Hong Kong in March 2021 for a reported $688,888. The lot paired a 12-second video with a physical artwork painted by Sophia. The sale was for the artwork—not for Sophia the robot.
What sold for nearly $700,000?
The work was titled Sophia Instantiation. Its digital component was a 12-second MP4 showing Bonaceto’s portrait evolving into a digital painting by Sophia. The lot also included a physical artwork: a printout of Sophia’s self-portrait, painted by the robot. The reported $688,888 price was for this artwork lot, not for the NFT file alone or for the robot itself. The Next Web reported the sale price after the March 2021 auction.
How did Sophia and Bonaceto create it?
The project combined Bonaceto’s portrait with Sophia’s computational art process and physical painting. Reuters reported that Sophia’s work drew on Bonaceto’s art, art history, and Sophia’s own drawings and paintings, processed through repeated computational iterations. Sophia’s creator, David Hanson, described these as “iterative loops of evolution.” Reuters’ pre-auction report quoted Sophia describing the use of transformer networks and genetic algorithms, but the reporting does not provide technical documentation to specify the systems more precisely.
The winning bidder, known as 888, also contributed a hand-painted image that was incorporated into the final physical work through Sophia’s brushstrokes, according to The Next Web’s post-sale account. The result was therefore a collaboration involving Sophia, Bonaceto, and a contribution from the buyer—not an artwork made by the robot in isolation.
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- "For Keeps is one part Aspiration, one part Inspiration, and one part Affirmation - The Power is in the Message! Each Character comes with Accessories, Fun Fashion Play, a Cupcake Keepsake (The World's Best Note Passer), and
- 20 Affirmation messages which are also Stickers! Share an affirmation with a friend, a family member or loved one by twisting off the top of your Cupcake Keepsake, inserting your affirmation, twisting the cap back on, and handing it to those you want to share your Affirmations and Feelings with! 7 Styles to Collect!
- Hot Pink Sophia - For Keeps Girl with Cupcake Keepsake Series 1 The job of feet is walking but their hobby is dancing.” - Sophia
- Keepsake: Raspberry Occupation: Choreographer Color: Hot Pink Hair
- 5.5” Fashion Doll with 9 pts of articulation packaged in a gift box. Also comes with a crown, purse, raspberry hair clip, cellphone, Mary Janes w/ ankle straps, and bows, sneakers, Interchangeable outfit (dress with straps/ruffled skirt bottom), Mystery Message Tee, “Raspberry, and Peach” Cupcake Keepsake, Pack of 20 affirmation stickers, and a stand with the For Keeps insignia."
What did the winning bidder receive?
The auction lot included the 12-second MP4 and the physical painting. Before the sale, Reuters reported that Sophia would interact with the winning bidder, study the bidder’s face, and add a final inspired brushstroke. The Next Web’s account after the auction says the winner’s own image was fused into the final painting. These descriptions concern the artwork and its completion, not a transfer of ownership of Sophia.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was this the same artwork that sold at Sotheby’s?
No. Sophia Facing the Singularities was a separate 2021 mixed-media installation. Sotheby’s catalog identifies it as a distinct work, and an Algorand release reports that it sold at Sotheby’s on October 10, 2021, for HKD 5,015,000, or USD 644,177. Those figures do not describe Sophia Instantiation or its March auction.
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Rank #4
- Wit So Sharp, It's Practically Vintage: Bring home the sass, wisdom, and humor of everyone's favorite sharp-tongued Golden Girl with this exclusive retro action figure of Sophia Petrillo. The perfect way to pay homage to the classic '80s sitcom.
- A Nostalgic Look Back: This retro-style action figure depicts Sophia's signature style from the hit series. She's featured in her classic outfit, consisting of a blue shirt with a matching sweater, a purple skirt, and her trademark yellow glasses.
- Collectible Size That's Big In Sass: Measuring approximately 3.75 inches tall, this action figure captures Sophia's iconic look. It's an ideal collectible to display, in or out of its retro-themed blister card packaging.
- Fun Play Features: Enjoy a blast from the past as you relive iconic moments from the series, one pose at a time. With 5 points of articulation, you can adjust Sophia's arms, legs, and head to position her mid-quip as she drops a well-timed punchline.
- Official Golden Girls Collectible: Celebrate four decades of sass, cheesecake, and friendship with this officially licensed Sophia 3.75-Inch Retro Action Figure based on The Golden Girls. Intended for ages 14+ and up.
Rank #3
- Build Olivia’s cupcake shop complete with inventive gadgets and help her tweak them with her tools, then deliver tasty treats around Heartlake City on the scooter!
- Includes 2 mini-dolls: LEGO Friends Emma, LEGO Friends Andrea, plus a Zobo robot figure, as well as a rotating cupcake server, cupcake-dispensing machine, mini play kitchen, and a removable table and chairs
- 335 pieces – cooking play set for boys and girls aged 6+ and for fans and kids of all ages
- Café measures over 5” (13cm) high, 7” (19cm) wide and 4” (11cm) deep toy scooter measures over 1” (5cm) high, 2” (7cm) long and 1” (3cm) wide
- The LEGO Friends Olivia’s Cupcake Café 41366 building set can be built together with all other original LEGO sets and LEGO bricks for creative building
Rank #2
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