A banana duct-taped to a wall, the conceptual art piece titled Comedian by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has sold for RM29.3 million (approximately $6.2 million) at an auction in New York. The controversial work was purchased by Justin Sun, the founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, who revealed he plans to eat the banana as part of an "artistic experience."
Originally debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, Comedian became an instant global sensation, with onlookers debating whether the piece was a clever critique of art-world absurdity or simply a joke. Festival attendees were divided, with some praising its wit and others questioning the standards of contemporary art collectors.
The artwork includes a certificate of authenticity granting the owner the right to recreate the piece by taping a banana to a wall and calling it Comedian. During its debut, the original banana was famously removed and eaten by another artist, further fueling the controversy.
At the recent Sotheby’s auction, bidding for Comedian started at RM3.8 million (approximately $800,000) and quickly escalated to millions within minutes. The auctioneer humorously urged bidders to "not let it slip away."
Justin Sun described the piece as a cultural bridge between art, memes, and cryptocurrency, saying, "In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture." Lucius Elliot, head of contemporary marquee sales at Sotheby’s, acknowledged the debates surrounding the work. "Is it art? Is it a prank? Is it a symbol of the excess in the art market? In truth, it is all of those things," he said.
Comedian continues to challenge and redefine the boundaries of contemporary art, sparking conversation and controversy even years after its debut.
Source: Sky News