Duct-taped banana artwork sells for $6.2m in NYC

A piece of provocative contemporary art, consisting of a banana duct-taped to a wall, has sold for an astonishing $6.2 million (£4.9 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. The artwork, titled Comedian, was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and was sold to Justin Sun, a Chinese entrepreneur in the cryptocurrency industry. The sale exceeded pre-auction estimates by four times, marking the banana as one of the most expensive fruit-related artworks in history.

Comedian first gained attention in 2019, becoming a viral sensation and sparking widespread debate about the nature of art. The work is simple but striking: a ripe banana affixed to a wall with industrial duct tape. Despite its unorthodox and seemingly minimalist appearance, Comedian captivated the art world, pushing the boundaries of what can be considered art in the contemporary scene. The installation was not only about the banana but also about the idea of impermanence and transformation, as the fruit itself would eventually decay.

Justin Sun, the founder of the Tron blockchain network, outbid six other contenders to acquire the piece at the November 2024 auction. Following the purchase, Sun made a playful remark, stating he would eat the banana as part of his “unique artistic experience.” His comment highlights the playful and experimental nature of Cattelan’s work, which invites viewers to engage with the concept of art in a non-traditional way.

Interestingly, while the artwork fetched millions at auction, the banana itself was bought earlier in the day for just $0.35, according to reports from the New York Times. This stark contrast between the modest cost of the fruit and the astronomical price of the artwork underscores the value of concept and provenance in the world of modern art.

The Comedian installation has traveled the world since its debut in 2019, appearing in various high-profile galleries and museums. One of the key aspects of the piece is its instructions for maintenance: whenever the banana inevitably rots, it must be replaced with a fresh one. This rotating banana concept was part of Cattelan’s commentary on both the fleeting nature of art and the commercialization of art in the contemporary market.

Despite its whimsical nature, the piece has raised important philosophical and artistic questions about what constitutes “art” and who decides its value. In addition to being an eye-catching spectacle, Comedian also invites commentary on the commodification of art, as well as the role of the artist in shaping an artwork’s meaning and significance. The artwork’s value was further underscored by the fact that this installation has had two bananas replaced during its public showings.

In a curious moment, Comedian was first sold for $120,000 at Art Basel in Miami back in 2017, before the piece gained viral fame. During that sale, a performance artist took down the banana from the wall after the transaction, and a new fruit was quickly put in its place. This action of removing and replacing the banana became part of the ongoing conversation about the artist’s intent and the longevity of the piece. After the banana’s replacement, no further actions were taken, reinforcing the notion that the artwork was fluid and ever-changing, much like the interpretation of art itself.

The sale of Comedian comes at a time when Sun’s business ventures have drawn scrutiny. He is the founder of Tron, a blockchain platform known for its cryptocurrency transactions. Last year, the US Securities and Exchange Commission accused him of fraud, alleging that he had artificially inflated trading volumes for Tron’s cryptocurrency token (TRX). Sun has denied these charges, but the legal proceedings surrounding his business practices have kept him in the public eye.

While some may question the legitimacy of an artwork like Comedian, its sale at such a high price underscores the increasing intersection of art and technology, particularly in the realms of digital currencies and NFTs. Sun’s purchase of the banana duct-taped to the wall represents a fusion of the worlds of art and cryptocurrency, as both fields continue to explore new ways to challenge traditional ideas of value and ownership.

Ultimately, the auction of Comedian serves as a reminder that in the contemporary art world, value is not solely determined by the materials used, but by the ideas, cultural relevance, and the persona behind the work itself. The banana may rot, but the conversation surrounding the artwork—and its million-dollar price tag—will likely endure for years to come.