A banana attached to a white wall with adhesive tape was auctioned for more than 131 million crowns. The new owner received not only a piece of fruit, but also a roll of insulating tape, instructions on how to glue the banana, and a certificate of authenticity. Justin Sun, founder of cryptocurrency tron, offered a dizzying amount for the work of Italian artist Maurizio Catellano. He said he intends to eat the banana he bought.
One of the three versions of the work from 2019, titled The Comedian, made its auction debut at Sotheby’s New York contemporary art auction. The starting price of the Comedian was 800,000 dollars. But it soon began to climb high above the original estimates. “I never thought I’d say ‘five million dollars for a banana,'” noted auctioneer Oliver Barker as the bidding neared its peak.
With his work, Maurizio Cattelan loosely followed Marcel Duchamp and his famous urinal, which turned the values of the art world quite upside down with his creation. Duchamp believed that the value of a work of art lies in the context and the idea. Not in technical perfection or beauty. Both artists used everyday objects to simply draw attention to the absurdity of the global art market. Because ordinary objects more easily raise questions in people about the value and meaning of such works.
Duchamp’s famous urinal from 1917, exhibited under the name Fountain. | Photo: Alfred Stieglitz, Wikimedia Commons
The particular banana that Sun auctioned off on a white background cost just 35 cents before the auction. In the end, the Chinese businessman will pay 6.2 million dollars for the banana, including fees, which translates to about 131 million crowns. For them, he receives not only a piece of fruit and a roll of insulating tape, but above all a certificate of authenticity and instructions for installing the work. Including how to swap fruit.
The purchased banana is said to be eaten by the new owner. The creation, which the auctioneer described as a “viral sensation”, had its premiere at the Art Basel contemporary art sales exhibition in Miami, Florida in 2019. Already then, the world media was interested in the price tag of 120,000 dollars.
Author of the famous banana Maurizio Cattelan. | Photo: Profimedia.cz
They ate the banana, stole the toilet
The subsequent incident, when another artist, David Datuna, tore a banana from the wall, peeled it and ate it, also caught the attention of the media. He called his art performance The Hungry Artist. Last May, a local art student enjoyed the work in the same way in the South Korean capital of Seoul. In addition to the most expensive banana in the world, Cattelana was also famous for his toilet bowl made of eighteen carat gold. However, the work called America was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England in September 2019.
The Great Banana Heist: A Comedy of Errors in Fine Art
So, ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a tale of absurdity! A banana taped to a wall, yes, you heard that right, a banana! Not just any banana, mind you, but one that fetched a staggering 6.2 million dollars at auction – over 131 million crowns! Just when you thought the art world couldn’t get any more ludicrous, along comes Maurizio Cattelan’s “The Comedian” to tape down the competition… literally!
The ba-na-na debacle kicked off at Sotheby’s New York, where auctioneer Oliver Barker made history announcing, “I never thought I’d say ‘five million dollars for a banana.’” Quite the turn of events from “I never thought I’d take my lunch to work!,” I can just imagine him at breakfast now, pondering how much toast could have gone for.
“I never thought I’d say ‘five million dollars for a banana!’” – Oliver Barker
Now, the banana was merely 35 cents at its humble beginning. Who knew that a bit of adhesive tape could rocket it into high society? But let’s be honest here: this isn’t just a fruit we’re talking about; it comes with a roll of tape, instructions on how to install said banana, and a certificate of authenticity. So, if you thought your degree was a waste of time, remember, all you need is an official sticker and some sticky stuff to make it in the art world!
Banana Split: The Ethics of Edibility
Justin Sun, the mastermind behind this fruity acquisition, has declared his intention to munch on the artwork. Yes, munch! This isn’t just any banana; it’s a piece of performance art—fresh from the market to the dining table. You can almost hear the punchline—“What’s the best way to appreciate art? Eat it!” Imagine the collectors: “Yes, darling, I have this Henry Moore sculpture and a delightful banana that pairs beautifully with it!”
But let’s not forget the legacy of Marcel Duchamp’s infamous urinal, “Fountain,” that turned the art world on its head with just a bit of porcelain. Cattelan’s banana follows in those illustrious footsteps, making us re-evaluate not just the value of art, but the very essence of what we call art. If a banana can spark such fervor, perhaps my childhood finger paintings deserve a second glance! Anyone need a ‘masterpiece’ from ’97?
A Banana for the Ages
The main attraction of this nonsensical auction also comes with a side of ridiculous events. Another artist, David Datuna, plucked the banana from its sticky perch and devoured it for his own performance piece titled “The Hungry Artist.” At this rate, I’m convinced I need to create a piece called “The Artistic Vacuum Cleaner” — buy it and I’ll come clean!
Meanwhile, Cattelan’s not only known for his edible artwork but also for a gold toilet named “America,” which was stolen in a caper worthy of a heist film — I can already hear the trailer: “In a world where toilets are golden and bananas hang by tape, one artist must fight to reclaim his throne…”
The Final Peel
In summary, this surreal saga of the banana will make for excellent dinner conversation—or a rather ripe topic for a far-reaching satire. Next time someone asks what art is, just point to the nearest convenience store; they might just stumble upon the gallery of the absurd right next to the snack aisle. Remember folks, art isn’t about what you see but what you’re willing to spend on the ludicrous—because many are laughing, and few are eating!
That might be the most expensive piece of fruit you can find, but honestly, does it really peel to you?
A banana affixed to a pristine white wall using adhesive tape has been auctioned for a staggering sum exceeding 131 million crowns. The new owner not only secured the unconventional piece of fruit but also received a roll of adhesive tape, detailed instructions on how to properly attach the banana, and an official certificate of authenticity. This remarkable purchase was made by Justin Sun, the influential founder of the cryptocurrency platform Tron, who expressed his playful intention to consume the banana he acquired.
This particular banana is one of only three versions of the art piece from 2019, titled The Comedian, and made its highly anticipated auction debut at Sotheby’s contemporary art auction in New York. The bidding commenced at an already impressive starting price of 800,000 dollars but quickly soared beyond initial forecasts. “I never thought I’d say ‘five million dollars for a banana,'” exclaimed auctioneer Oliver Barker as the frenzy of bidding reached its exhilarating climax.
Maurizio Cattelan, the creative mind behind this artwork, loosely drew inspiration from Marcel Duchamp, whose infamous urinal, presented in 1917 under the name Fountain, drastically altered the perception of art’s value. Duchamp argued that the essence of an artwork lies in its context and concept rather than merely its technical mastery or aesthetic appeal. Both Cattelan and Duchamp utilized ordinary objects to challenge and provoke thought concerning the absurdities present within the extravagant global art market. Their works invite audiences to question the significance and worth of such commonplace items.
The specific banana auctioned by Sun had a mere price tag of 35 cents before it transformed into the world’s most expensive fruit. Ultimately, the Chinese entrepreneur forked out 6.2 million dollars for this unconventional piece, including transaction fees, which is approximately 131 million crowns. In addition to the banana and the roll of tape, he received a thorough certificate of authenticity and comprehensive guidelines on how to install the artwork, including advice on replacing the fruit as needed.
The newly minted owner plans to eat the banana, showcasing the whimsical nature of this contemporary art phenomenon. Dubbed a “viral sensation” by the auctioneer, the artwork first made headlines when it premiered at the prestigious Art Basel contemporary art sales exhibition in Miami, Florida, back in 2019. At that time, the artwork’s initial price of 120,000 dollars had already piqued the interest of global media outlets.
The subsequent incident sparked further media fascination when fellow artist David Datuna famously removed the banana from its display, peeled it, and consumed it, branding his performance The Hungry Artist. This playful act echoed a similar occurrence when another art student indulged in the banana in Seoul last May. Aside from becoming renowned for this extraordinary banana, Cattelan also gained notoriety for his gold toilet, aptly named America, which unfortunately fell victim to theft from Blenheim Palace in England in September 2019.
**Title: Absurdity in Art: An Interview with Justin Sun on His Groundbreaking Purchase**
**Title: Absurdity in Art: An Interview with Justin Sun on His Groundbreaking Purchase**
*Host: Good evening, everyone! Tonight, we delve into a fascinating topic in the art world that has everyone talking—a banana. Yes, you heard that right! Joining us is Justin Sun, the founder of the cryptocurrency platform Tron and the proud owner of the $6.2 million banana artwork titled *The Comedian* by Maurizio Cattelan. Welcome, Justin!*
**Justin Sun:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
*Host: Let’s get straight to it. Most people are scratching their heads over a banana on a wall being worth more than 131 million crowns. Can you explain what drew you to this piece?*
**Justin Sun:** Absolutely! This banana, while it may seem absurd at first glance, represents much more than just a piece of fruit. It’s a commentary on the art world and how we define value in art. Just like Duchamp’s *Fountain*, Maurizio Cattelan used everyday objects to challenge our perceptions. The context and concept behind the piece are what make it valuable.
*Host: You mentioned Marcel Duchamp—his urinal was revolutionary for its time. Do you see parallels between his work and Cattelan’s?*
**Justin Sun:** For sure! Duchamp’s urinal was about questioning what art is and who gets to define it. Cattelan seems to pay homage to that legacy, pushing boundaries and making us rethink our perceptions of value and art. Both artists cleverly use humor and absurdity to engage the audience and provoke thought.
*Host: Speaking of humor, what was your reaction when the bidding for *The Comedian* skyrocketed?*
**Justin Sun:** Honestly, it was thrilling! As the auctioneer Oliver Barker said, “I never thought I’d say ‘five million dollars for a banana!’ ” It’s a surreal experience. It captures the essence of today’s art market—where the bizarre can sometimes take precedence over the traditional.
*Host: You’ve said you plan to eat the banana. That’s quite the statement! Is this part of your artistic expression?*
**Justin Sun:** Exactly! Eating the banana is a performance in itself. It embodies the ephemeral nature of art—the idea that it can be enjoyed in multiple ways. Also, it emphasizes the absurdity of the value we place on these objects. After all, how often do you get to say you’ve literally consumed a piece of art worth millions?
*Host: That’s definitely one way to challenge norms! Speaking of challenges, there was an incident when another artist ate a banana from the wall too. What are your thoughts on that?*
**Justin Sun:** It highlights the conversation about the accessibility of art. Some see it as a performance piece, while others might view it as disrespectful. But isn’t that what art is all about? Evoking emotions, sparking discussions, and sometimes creating a bit of chaos?
*Host: Before we wrap up, with the rise in market value for unconventional art pieces, how do you see the future of art evolving?*
**Justin Sun:** The future will continue to challenge traditional notions of art. Creativity will flourish in unexpected ways, and we’ll see more artists using absurdity to engage with audiences. As we embrace technology and innovative concepts, the lines between art, audience, and market will blur even more.
*Host: Thank you, Justin! You’ve provided such unique insights into this intriguing piece. We look forward to seeing how art continues to evolve through creative expression, even in the form of a banana!*
**Justin Sun:** Thank you for having me! Remember, art can be fun, ridiculous, and thought-provoking all at once!
*Host: Absolutely! That’s all for our show tonight—stay tuned for more explorations of the wonderful world of art! Goodnight, everyone!*