It pains us to write this but in the world of conceptual art, there’s always a fine line between genius and absurdity. Nothing illustrates this better than Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian—a banana duct-taped to a wall—which recently sold for a staggering £4.9 million ($6.2 million) at an auction in New York, £4.90 would be impressive but million is enough to make us want to cry!
The buyer? Justin Sun, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and founder of a blockchain network. But here’s the twist: Mr Sun didn’t actually buy the physical banana or the duct tape. Instead, he purchased a certificate giving him the right to tape a banana to a wall and call it Comedian.
In Sun’s words, the piece represents “a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” He added, “In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honouring its place in both art history and popular culture.”
From £0.28 ($0.35) to £4.9 Million ($6.2 Million): The Rise of the Banana
The banana itself, reportedly bought for a mere £0.28 ($0.35) earlier that day, is now among the most expensive pieces of fruit in history. Bidding for the artwork started at £630,000 ($800,000), quickly escalating as six rival bidders competed to own the controversial installation.
Sotheby’s auctioneer Oliver Barker joked,
“Don’t let it slip away… These are words I’ve never thought I’d say: Five million dollars for a banana.”
A Viral Art Sensation
Comedian first made headlines in 2019 when it debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach. Festivalgoers were divided—was it a profound commentary on consumerism or just an elaborate prank? One performance artist made headlines by removing the banana from the wall and eating it. Another incident occurred in 2023 when a South Korean art student did the same at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul.
Each time, the artwork was simply restored by replacing the eaten banana with a fresh one, as per the accompanying instructions.
What Makes Comedian So Valuable?
The value of Comedian lies not in the fruit or the duct tape but in the concept—a commentary on the ephemeral nature of material goods and the bizarre excesses of the art market. The piece also taps into the zeitgeist of meme culture, making it a modern-day Mona Lisa of internet humour.
Justin Sun’s acquisition of Comedian may also be seen as a strategic move to align himself with the intersection of art, crypto, and digital culture. However, Sun is not without controversy. The US Securities and Exchange Commission accused him of fraud in 2023, alleging that he inflated the trading volumes of his cryptocurrency, TRX—a charge he denies.
Art or Absurdity?
The sale of a duct-taped banana for millions has reignited debates about what qualifies as art. Critics argue it’s a mockery of the art world, while supporters see it as a genius reflection of contemporary culture. Whatever your stance, Comedian has succeeded in doing what all great art strives for—it’s sparked conversation and made history.
As Sun prepares to eat the banana in a self-declared performance, the art world waits to see what’s next for the bizarre, thought-provoking journey of Comedian. One thing’s certain: this banana will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Slowly looks at the fruit bowl in the kitchen…
Images Courtesy of Sotheby’s
