Christie’s and MAPS to host NFT auction to fund scientific psychedelic research

Art and luxury auction house Christie’s is launching a new NFT collection for its upcoming auction -  to support the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). All proceeds from the auction will all be donated to the NGO’s research studies into the legalization of psychedelics for mental health. 

MAPS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research, education and advocacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies since 1986. 

The collection is titled ‘Cartography of the Mind’ and produced in partnership with Ryan Zurrer, founder of Web3 companies Dialectic and Vine Ventures. 

The auction will take place at Christie's between June 21 to June 28, and will feature more than two dozen psychedelic-themed artworks by artists who advocate for alternative medicine such as Beeple, Refik Anadol, Mad Dog Jones, and more. The artists contributing to the collection have produced some of the most relevant artwork and claim their psychedelic experiences have inspired their work. 

While the bidding window coincides with NFT NYC, Cartography of the Mind will be displayed in an exhibition powered by Atomic Form at Christie’s new galleries on the corner of 6th Avenue and 49th Street. 

The founder and CEO of MAPS, Rick Doblin said, ‘There is an intrinsic connection between the psychedelic community and art. Art is often used to integrate psychedelic experiences, transcending language, culture, and experience to communicate what words simply cannot.’ 

Christie’s Director of Digital Art, Noah Davis said, ‘MAPS is an organization that has benefited an incredible range of people, many of them artists, and I am delighted that the proceeds from this auction will go towards furthering their mission.’

Photo: Christie’s