‘Zen and Pain’: St. Petersburg artist glorifies bitcoin wannabes

An anonymous St. Petersburg artist nicknamed Hioshi created a new piece of art dedicated to those who cannot afford to buy bitcoin. Like all Hioshi’s works, this one is minimalistic (just 15 cm high), placed on a column at the crossroads of Nevsky Prospect and Fontanka Embankment.

The small installation depicts a human figure sitting in the lotus position, bowing his head in desperation, with dollar and bitcoin signs to his left and right. It’s called “Zen and Pain” and the author devotes it to everyone who failed to capitalize on bitcoin’s  recent growth spurt.

“This is for everyone who’d like buy bitcoin, but by the time the currency started to show promise it already cost two thousand dollars, which is between two and six months of work for an ordinary Russian citizen,” Hioshi explained. In his view, those left bitcoin-less have no choice but to passively witness the growth. And keep practicing zen. 

Some people, however, try to mine bitcoins themselves – but that can be dangerous as well. Check out a story of an airport employee who got arrested for it!

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.