Edition Practice and Pricing
Welcome to the official edition and pricing guidelines for my contemporary 3D-printed sculptures. My work focuses on transformative art through a phygital process — from a single thought, through digital modelling, to a form materialized in the real world. I believe in complete transparency for collectors, curators, and galleries on how editions are produced and priced.
3D printing is a comparatively new artistic medium and is particularly suitable for editions. In this text, I explain my edition practice, the artistic reservations, and the handling of digital twins in order to create maximum transparency for collectors, curators, and galleries evaluating a sculpture's edition size and pricing.
Edition and Production
Unless otherwise stated, my 3D‑printed sculptures are produced as an edition of 5 (+Proof Print/+Gallery Print), usually in PLA (polylactide, a predominantly plant‑based thermoplastic often made from corn starch or sugarcane and not primarily derived from petroleum). Within the edition, a different printing material or finish is possible on request. Each piece is numbered and individually post‑processed.
Production and variability: Editions are generally produced on demand. Individual pieces may vary in surface, post‑processing and small details; these variations are an intentional element of the artistic process. Buyers receive the actually produced, numbered object. The authenticity of the piece is confirmed by a Certificate of Authenticity.
3D Print Materials, Structural Integrity, and Placement
Fundamentally, my sculptures are realized through advanced 3D printing techniques. I primarily use high-quality PLA (polylactide), a plant-based thermoplastic perfectly suited for detailed art editions. However, specific structural, higher curatorial, or collector-specific requirements demand alternative materials, where PETG is introduced. Notably, for larger suspended works hanging from the ceiling, the use of PETG becomes strictly mandatory. This shift in material prevents the natural structural deformation ("cold melting" or cold flow) that PLA experiences under continuous tension, ensuring the long-term integrity of the suspended sculpture.
While PLA is designed exclusively for indoor presentation, PETG offers greater weather resistance and can potentially be suitable for outdoor exhibitions. However, for permanent outdoor installations, I currently exclusively recommend bronze casting to guarantee maximum durability for outdoor placement and timeless curatorial value.
Pricing Structure
Prices for my sculpture editions are set in coordination with Galerie Helligkeit and maintained consistently across all sales channels. Detailed pricing for the Curated Collection is available upon request, or visible through Galerie Helligkeit and Artsy. The value of each piece is determined by its physical scale, the complexity and time invested in the digital research, and the specific hand-finished material.
Following established fine art edition practices, acquisition values are tiered and increase as an edition sells out. This structure inherently rewards early collectors. We are always available to discuss specific inquiries or provide a detailed pricing dossier for available works.
I maintain a consistent pricing structure across all platforms and galleries. If a gallery does not list a specific work or its price, please reach out to me directly via the contact form.
Questions and Answers
Are there exceptions to the edition practice or artist reservations?
The artist reserves the right to produce additional individual copies or further realizations in other formats and materials, in particular, but not exclusively, in bronze. Such realizations are considered independent works and are not part of the edition of 5. These reservations safeguard artistic freedom, allow for long‑term development of the form, and can enhance the value of the original edition.
Exception for unlimited works: Unlimited or uniquely produced sculptures are exempt from the edition practice described above and are treated independently.
Do you commission works in different formats?
Yes. All unlimited artworks can be commissioned in different scales. Limited sculptures (usually an edition of 5) may also be scaled, but such realizations are not considered part of the original edition — they are treated as part of the artist's reservations described above.
What happens to the digital twin of the physical sculpture?
The digital twins — 3D models and associated metadata — are permanently archived for curatorial reasons. They may be used for virtual exhibitions, digital reproductions, research, and mediation.
The sale of the original digital twin is not foreseen; however, the sale as a digital object in reduced quality (e.g., in virtual worlds) remains exclusively reserved to the artist. Any use is carried out while preserving provenance and reproduction documentation.
Can I commission a sculpture in a different material?
Yes. Depending on the series and current availability, individual realizations in alternative materials (such as bronze or sintered metals) can be commissioned within the edition practice. Please reach out to the artist directly to discuss your specific request and explore available options.
How should I care for and conserve the sculpture?
PLA is particularly suitable for editions and indoor presentation. Because it is sensitive to heat and UV, it is less suitable for permanent outdoor display.
To care for your piece, remove dust with an antistatic brush or a microfiber cloth. Clean stains spot-wise with lukewarm water and, if necessary, a mild, pH‑neutral cleaning agent. While PLA is relatively dimensionally stable, impacts and point loads should be avoided. Delicate parts should be especially protected during handling, transport, and presentation.
How are international transport and delivery handled?
Works are safely packaged in custom materials for worldwide shipping. For international acquisitions and pieces currently exhibited, professional transport, customs, and white-glove delivery are usually coordinated directly through Galerie Helligkeit to ensure the highest standard of care and security.
All About Trust
Acquiring fine art is built on transparency and communication. For detailed information on material options, alternative realizations within the edition, large‑format versions, or virtual presentations, please contact the studio.
About the Work
What is digital sculpture?
Digital sculpture is created in a virtual environment before being materialized physically.
What is phygital art?
Phygital art combines a digital presence (such as AR/VR or a digital twin) with a physical sculpture.
What is a hybrid digital‑physical workflow?
A hybrid workflow merges digital prototyping with physical fabrication and hand‑finishing.
How does Ivo Meier create his sculptures?
Each sculpture begins digitally, is refined through virtual testing, and is then realized as a physical, tactile object.
Do the sculptures exist digitally and physically?
Yes. Every sculpture has a digital twin alongside its physical edition.
Why are most sculptures limited to five?
Most works are produced in a strictly limited edition of five to preserve artistic integrity and uniqueness; unlimited or uniquely produced sculptures are the exception and are treated independently (see edition practice above).
What themes does the work explore?
The sculptures explore inner worlds, resonance, liminality, and the transition from digital to material form.
What is the role of the digital twin?
The digital twin preserves the conceptual origin of the work and enables its virtual presentation.