Viral Banana Artwork Sells Again for $6.24 Million

The viral banana artwork, famously taped to a wall by artist Maurizio Cattelan, has been sold again for $6.24 million. Originally a sensation at Art Basel Miami in 2019, the piece continues to capture attention in the art world, with this sale marking another significant chapter in its already remarkable history.

In 2019, the sale of a banana duct-taped to a wall for $120,000 sparked a social media frenzy and reignited debates about the meaning of art.

Artist Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial piece, "Comedian," has proven to be a lucrative investment for one collector. A recent auction saw one of its three editions sell for a remarkable $6.24 million at Sotheby’s in New York, far surpassing the estimated $1 million to $1.5 million. Bidding began at $800,000.

During the auction, Oliver Barker, the auctioneer, referred to the artwork as “iconic” and “disruptive,” humorously noting that he never imagined he would be selling a banana. Shortly after, it was revealed that Chinese collector Justin Sun, the founder of a cryptocurrency platform, was the winning bidder.

In a statement, Sun expressed that the artwork represents “a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community,” believing that it will inspire further discussion and become a part of history. As the purchaser, Sun will receive the duct tape, a banana, and a certificate of authenticity, along with installation instructions. However, Sotheby’s confirmed that neither the tape nor the banana are the original ones.

“Comedian” is a conceptual piece, and each installation uses newly purchased materials, as per the artist’s instructions. Cattelan and the Perrotin gallery initially attracted attention in 2019 when the piece was displayed at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair with a hefty price tag. The banana used in the first iteration was bought from a Miami grocery store, and the gallery maintained that it could be replaced, in keeping with the artist’s concept.

While many in the art world were divided on the piece’s value, some saw it as a continuation of the conceptual art tradition, dating back to Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” (a mounted urinal) that questions the nature of art itself. Crowds quickly gathered at the Miami fair, eager to see the installation, but things took an unexpected turn when performance artist David Datuna took the banana off the wall, peeled it, and ate it in front of a stunned audience. He later defended his actions as part of an artistic performance, not vandalism.

The Miami display was eventually taken down for safety reasons, but all three editions of "Comedian" were sold at the event. Two were purchased by private collectors for $120,000 each, and the third was bought for a higher price, later donated to The Guggenheim Museum in New York.

In interviews after the Miami incident, Cattelan described “Comedian” as a commentary on societal values. He emphasized that it was “not a joke,” calling the piece a reflection on what society values, and he didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment when the auction was announced in October.

David Galperin, head of contemporary art for Sotheby’s Americas, described "Comedian" as a "defiant work of pure genius" in a press release. He explained that the piece’s central theme — questioning the value of art — aligns perfectly with the auction itself. "The public will finally have a say in deciding its true value," he said.

Although this was the first time “Comedian” had been sold at auction, the piece was recently displayed at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea. During that exhibition, a student from Seoul National University ate the banana and taped the peel back to the wall, explaining that he was hungry. The museum replaced the banana afterward.

Sun, the new owner, mentioned in his statement that he too planned to eat the banana, adding that it would be a part of his “unique artistic experience” and a way to honor the piece’s place in art history and popular culture.

Sotheby’s took the artwork on a global tour, showcasing it in cities like New York, London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles before the auction.

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: CNN‍