Diaz #5 under virtual gavel

Auctions for Self-Portrait with Pipe, 2008 #3 and #4 closed late last night, making two eBay users incredibly happy. Each painting normally would fetch several thousand dollars. But, as a result of a Grand Experiment by Nelson Diaz, #4 fetched $112.50 to what appears to be a user in France. #3 sold for slightly more, $203.50.

The first painting in this series sold for a substantial $745, but this appears to have been an isolated incident. Two bidders engaged in a last-minute battle to win Self-Portrait with Pipe #1. The second installment in the series, which I own (!!!!!) sold for only $202.50. At this point, the auctions stabilized.

The fifth piece is now going under the virtual gavel. The auction began last night, almost as soon as the third and fourth ended. The action is already hot. Though it only became available last night, #5 is already at $102.50, and I’m betting that user’s maximum bid is actually higher (I bid it up to $100, and it turned over to an awkward amount, which means there’s probably more financial muscle behind this bid).

Learn more about the $1 auction experiment by Nelson Diaz >>

See the artist explain the concept in his own words >>

Bid on Self-Portrait with Pipe #5 >>