Never underestimate the power of a viral banana. That’s what the world learned on Wednesday when Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” sold for $6.2 million, including the buyer’s premium, at a Sotheby’s auction.
After a fierce bidding war that lasted only minutes, “Comedian,” which consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall, was sold to crypto billionaire Justin Sun, founder of the TRON platform. Sotheby’s pre-sale estimate valued “Comedian” at between $1 million and $1.5 million, a drastic increase from its original price.
Cattelan debuted “Comedian” in 2019, unveiling three editions along with two artist’s proofs, each of which sold for between $120,000 and $150,000. The version sold by Sotheby’s was version number two.
In a statement on X, Sun praised “Comedian” as a “cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” Sun was Grenada’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization for a time and still refers to himself as “His Excellency” on social media and the TRON website.
Like others before him, the TRON founder said he planned to eat the banana in “Comedian.”
“I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history,” he said. “[I]n 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.”
The ‘Apex’ of a Duct-Taped Banana’s Career
Cattelan, an Italian artist who now lives in New York City, is known as a prankster in the art world. Besides the duct-taped banana, one of his most famous pieces is an 18-karat gold functioning toilet. Titled “America,” the piece was offered to the Trump White House during his first presidency, though it never made it in the end. The toilet, which has been on display in museums in the past, can be used by anyone and often inspired hours-long lines.
When it comes to “Comedian,” Cattelan said he created the piece to question what society considers to be art.
“To me, Comedian was not a joke; it was a sincere commentary and a reflection on what we value. At art fairs, speed and business reign, so I saw it like this: if I had to be at a fair, I could sell a banana like others sell their paintings. I could play within the system, but with my rules,” the Italian artist said in 2021.
“Comedian” quickly became a viral sensation after it was presented at Art Basel Miami Beach. Some in the art world hated it, others loved it. Crowds lined up to see the banana, eventually causing a security concern and forcing organizers to take it down. Online, it spread like wildfire, with people and brands sticking things to walls as an homage to the piece. Brooke Shields even taped a banana to her forehead.
Years after the debut of “Comedian,” the questions about value Cattelan asked with the piece still resonate. What some might see as absurd and ordinary—the banana in the piece cost less than $1 and has to be changed regularly—others see as delightful and extraordinary.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Cattelan posed the question again as he awaited the results of the auction.
“On what basis does an object acquire value in the art system?” Cattelan said. “The auction will be the apex of its career. I’m eager to see what the answers will be.
Notably, the artist will not receive any part of the $6.2 million price his creation fetched at auction. That goes to the work’s previous owner and the auction house. As for Sun, he’ll receive a roll of duct tape, a banana, and a certificate of authenticity signed by Cattelan.
Image | Sotheby's (edited)
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