A banana taped to a wall, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has sold for an astonishing $6.2 million at a New York auction on Wednesday, November 20.
The artwork, titled Comedian, has once again sparked heated debate about what constitutes art in today’s world.
The banana, attached to a wall with a single strip of silver duct tape, was first showcased at Art Basel in Miami Beach in 2019, where it made waves for its unconventional and playful concept.
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The buyer, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, is the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Tron.
He described the piece not just as art, but as a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and cryptocurrency.
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The auction, which saw seven bidders compete for the piece, far exceeded expectations.
The artwork was initially priced between $1 million and $1.5 million, but the final bid pushed it to $6.2 million.
What makes the sale particularly unique is that due to the banana’s perishable nature, Sun is essentially purchasing a certificate of authenticity and instructions for replacing the fruit when it deteriorates.
This was the third iteration of Comedian. The original banana was famously eaten by performance artist David Datuna during the 2019 Miami exhibition, further blurring the lines between art and performance.
Sun has even hinted that he might follow suit, eating the banana himself as part of the artwork’s experience, cementing its connection to internet culture.
Maurizio Cattelan, known for provocative works like a gold toilet titled America, has long criticized the speculative nature of the art market.
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Initially priced at just $120,000, Comedian has now become a symbol of the bizarre intersection of high art, cryptocurrency, and pop culture.
Sun’s acquisition follows his previous purchase of a $78.4 million Alberto Giacometti sculpture in 2021, highlighting his interest in the fusion of digital and traditional art.
Despite a slight downturn in global art markets, auctions like this one prove that rare and controversial works continue to captivate collectors.
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