![Iain Ball — [Rare Earth Sculptures] Europium (Installation VI, 2014)](https://rtwaymdozgnhgluydsys.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/artwork-images/1ECACE27-1B9D-484F-8B7E-F2157347C9BE/D79DB31B-65D1-4920-A17F-346038B225EE/28085986-8887-4E6E-9A7B-881813844A8F.jpg)
[Rare Earth Sculptures] Europium (Installation VI, 2014)
2014
Rare Earth Sculptures] Europium (Installation VI, 2014) is a living on-chain asset from the Rare Earth cycle of ENERGY⋮PANGEA. The sculpture operates as a speculative system that brings together supply chains, propaganda feeds, and improvised energy infrastructures at the coordinates 50°57'42.22" N, 4°24'27.83" W. Europium — the rare earth element that underpins our screens, LEDs, and security inks — becomes both material and allegory for Europe’s technological and political sovereignty. Preserved here as an authenticated relic, the work continues to function as a node in the larger ENERGY⋮PANGEA ecology, probing questions of resource dependence, scarcity, and the fragile foundations of contemporary life.
- Medium
- Documentation Photograph, Archival Relic, NFT (Ethereum)
- Edition
- 1 of 3
- Signed
- Yes
- Condition
- Excellent
- Provenance
- Original installation by Iain Ball / ENERGY⋮PANGEA, 2014. Minted 2025 as 1 of 3 ERC-721 NFTs documenting the work in the ENERGY⋮PANGEA Legacy Archive (contract: 0x9663df3b9541f882a43dd160396def7846c23749, Token ID: 4155996400). Directly from the artist’s collection. Artist-retained since creation. Full on-chain provenance is publicly verifiable on Manifold and Etherscan.
- Location
- Blockchain (Ethereum) + original installation site 50°57'42.22" N, 4°24'27.83" W
![[Rare Earth Sculptures] Promethium (archival poster III) (1/5 edition)](https://rtwaymdozgnhgluydsys.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/artwork-images/1ecace27-1b9d-484f-8b7e-f2157347c9be/31412b83-3ea5-49ee-a2f3-224263f7d2b5/0.jpg)
Collectors with works by Iain Ball
Artists in conversation
Trevor Paglen
American · b. 1974
Paglen creates investigative art installations that map hidden infrastructure, surveillance systems, and geopolitical coordinates, closely mirroring Ball's fusion of supply chain speculation with precise geographic data and technological sovereignty themes.
Hito Steyerl
German · b. 1966
Steyerl works at the intersection of digital systems, propaganda feeds, and political economy through installation and moving image, sharing Ball's approach of using elemental or networked materials as allegories for geopolitical and technological power structures.
Simon Denny
New Zealander · b. 1982
Denny's practice critically examines blockchain systems, tech industry infrastructure, and speculative economies through sculptural installation, directly paralleling Ball's use of on chain assets and rare earth materiality as sites of political and corporate critique.
Start the Discussion
Request access to join the discussion