A banana duct-taped to a wall, a conceptual piece by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. The artwork, titled Comedian, was purchased by cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, who described it as a cultural bridge between art, memes, and crypto.
Initially showcased at the 2019 Art Basel show in Miami Beach, Comedian sparked debate about what constitutes art. Sun plans to eat the banana as part of the artistic experience, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance.
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The banana installation was originally priced at $120,000 but smashed auction expectations, with seven bidders competing for the piece. The artwork includes a certificate of authenticity and instructions to replace the banana when it decays.
This was the third iteration of Comedian; the first was famously eaten by performance artist David Datuna, who claimed he was “hungry” during the Miami show. Sun’s purchase has once again highlighted the intersection of art, value, and public discourse.
