The Swiss venture capitalist Ryan Zurrer has become one of the most high-profile collectors of digital art since the NFT (non-fungible token) boom of 2021. It was Zurrer who purchased the digital artist Beeple’s first physical work, a 7ft LED screen sculpture called Human One, from Christie’s New York in 2021 for $28.9m (with fees). That year, Zurrer founded 1OF1, a collective through which he has donated important digital work to institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and supported exhibitions of digital artists. Zurrer’s collection comprises major works by artists like Refik Anadol, Beeple, Ix Shells, Sasha Stiles, Sarah Meyohas, Ian Cheng, Auriea Harvey, Daniel Arsham and many others.
Zurrer owns Human One (2021), the digital artist Beeple’s first physical work Christie’s Images Ltd
The Art Newspaper: How quickly do you decide to buy a work of art?
Ryan Zurrer: Typically, we take a number of months before purchasing a new work. We want to connect with the artist and understand their process. Our data-science team at 1OF1 will also run analytics wherever possible. However, there are moments where we see something and make a move quickly.
What was the first work you ever bought?
The first contemporary artwork that I bought was a Vik Muniz work called Vidigal (2018) when I lived in Brazil. It is emblematic of the kaleidoscope of life that the favelas in Brazil represent to me.
What was the last work you bought?
The most recent major purchase was digitally native artist Sam Spratt’s painting The Monument Game, which is currently on view until 21 June as part of the artist’s solo exhibition in Venice. The exhibition, supported by 1OF1, has been a truly rewarding experiment in community involvement in an evolving work of art, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the interest and feedback from the curatorial community. We also recently acquired Sasha Stiles’s Ars Autopoetica (2023). Sasha is the defining AI poet, and we are incredibly excited about her practice.
I saw CryptoPunks during the mint and didn’t realise at the time how seminal a moment that really was
What do you regret not buying when you had the chance?
I saw CryptoPunks [an early NFT art project] during the mint and didn’t realise at the time how seminal a moment that really was. I will never have as many CryptoPunks as I would like.
If you could have any work from any museum, what would it be?
I would love to have the Docomo emoji set at M+ [museum in Hong Kong]. Also, Starry Night (1889) by Van Gogh has a certain psychedelic metaphor which dovetails with my work in mental health.
Where do you like to eat and drink while you’re in Basel?
Stucki by Tanja Grandits. It’s a fantastic tasting menu of Swiss contemporary ingredients presented in a creative way.
Do you have any parties lined up?
Yes, we are very excited about the 1OF1 Summer Jam, which will bring together a wonderful group of artists and curators for a day-long symposium in celebration of visionaries who saw the future of digital art before it was obvious. I’m also excited about the Zegna dinner; that brand is very personal to me, and I love the team and the family.
Basel’s Restaurant Stucki is a firm favourite with Zurrer, who loves its “fantastic tasting menu of Swiss contemporary ingredients presented in a creative way” © Perspektiv
What’s your least favourite thing about art fairs?
I don’t like the big crowds after the first afternoon, and there’s never enough time to see everything.
Where do you go in Basel to get away from it all?
I go home to Zug (around 100km south-east of Basel). Zug is my favourite city on the planet by far and is so amazing during the summer.
What tip would you give to someone visiting Basel for the first time?
Art Basel brings together an incredible mix of very thoughtful people from different walks of life to celebrate their love of art. I’d suggest that people keep an open mind and lean into learning from the wisdom different participants, galleries and artists have to offer. Almost everyone I talk to at Basel has an interesting story and something to teach me.