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# Treasure of Lima: A Buried Exhibition
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/treasure-of-lima-a-buried-exhibition/
- Published: 2015-01-07T10:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2016-06-15T01:53:11.000Z
- Description: Auctioning off the encrypted GPS co-ordinates of a buried cache of artworks
- Author: Maks Fus Mickiewicz
- Tags: Seeds, Art & Design, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:25

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/10383/705180e3-4c70-465b-8969-482b32378112.jpg)

Buried treasure, for the majority of us is the stuff of fantasy. The chance of stumbling across/inheriting a map detailing the whereabouts of a fortune is very slim. Following the map's instruction before digging a hole to reveal a life-changing nest egg is unfortunately even less likely.   
  
That was until Phillips auction house in New York held an auction for the GPS co-ordinates of a hidden cache of art (curated by [Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Academy](http://www.tba21.org/program/current?ref=protein.xyz) in Vienna), containing 40 contemporary artworks from artists such as [Marina Abramovic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina%5FAbramovi%C4%87?ref=protein.xyz), [Ed Ruscha](http://www.edruscha.com/?ref=protein.xyz) and [Doug Aitken](http://www.dougaitkenworkshop.com/?ref=protein.xyz).  
  
On 13 November a mystery bidder paid $185,000 for the co-ordinates, digitally encrypted and laser cut onto a steel cylinder, an artwork in itself by the Dutch artist [Constant Dullaart](http://www.constantdullaart.com/%F0%9F%90%92%E2%9A%AB%E2%9D%8C%E2%8C%98%F0%9F%94%8D%E2%9C%A8%E2%98%A0%E2%9C%8A%F0%9F%90%8D%20%E2%9C%8B%F0%9F%93%B1%F0%9F%90%87%E2%96%91%E2%9C%93%E2%96%91%E2%96%91%E2%9C%A8%E2%9A%AB%E2%9D%8C%E2%9D%8C%E2%8C%98%E2%8F%8F%E2%9C%8A%F0%9F%90%80%E2%9C%93%E2%99%AA%E2%8C%AB%E2%9D%8C%E2%9D%8C%E2%8C%98%E2%9B%94%E2%8F%B3%E2%9D%8C%E2%8C%BD%E2%8C%BD/?ref=protein.xyz) and German cryptographer Michael Wege. While the encryption doesn’t entitle the winner to the prize, it should stand them in far better stead than other potential treasure hunters.  
  
[Treasure of Lima: A Buried Exhibition](http://www.tba21academy.org/projects/treasure-of-lima/?ref=protein.xyz) engages the narrative and legal identity of Isla del Coco (the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island), contrasting historical legends of buried treasure with the island’s real status, a natural treasure worthy of protection. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the marine protection of Isla del Coco.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/10383/c559ed93-f088-40bc-90d7-da30737cf225.png)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/10383/1dd3e898-e59f-4eb8-bfe4-8cec98e31110.jpg)