The miniatures, available from April 2, are part of a new conceptual piece by Cattelan, with the number 666 probably chosen to further provoke the Catholic Church, according to official sources. A hotline, or duty phone, is also active from that date and is monitored by the artist himself, though the purpose or function of this hotline remains unclear. It is unknown how many miniatures have been sold so far, and the specific reactions or statements from the Catholic Church regarding the number 666 have not been disclosed.
This work follows Cattelan's previous controversial piece, 'Comedian', which consists of instructions for how a banana should be attached to the wall with silver tape. 2 million dollars, equivalent to 60 million kronor, and he ate it in front of filming cameras. Cattelan's 'banana work' was received with mixed feelings and divided the art world into two camps: it was considered by some as a stroke of genius, but dismissed by others as nonsense.
Why Maurizio Cattelan wants to push boundaries again is mentioned but not detailed, and what the sculpture that the miniatures are based on is has not been specified.