The Banana That Sold for Millions
COMEDIAN – The banana taped to a wall is a unique art piece by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan that recently sold for $6.2 million (P365 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.
First shown at Art Basel in 2019, the artwork consists of a real banana stuck to a wall with a piece of silver duct tape. The piece quickly caused debates about what can be considered art and whether this creation qualifies as real artwork. Cattelan, known for his bold and humorous works, said the piece is a comment on the unpredictable art market, which he has criticized for focusing more on profits than creativity.
The buyer, cryptocurrency businessman Justin Sun, called the work more than just an art piece—it is a cultural icon. He believes it connects the worlds of art, internet humor, and the cryptocurrency community, saying it will spark conversations and become part of art history. Originally priced at $120,000 (P7.07 million) in 2019, the final auction price went far beyond expectations, with an initial guide price of $1-1.5 million (P59-88.4 million). Seven bidders competed for the banana, and Sun bought it despite the fruit’s short lifespan.
Since bananas spoil quickly, the buyer mainly purchased a certificate proving the work’s authenticity and guidelines for replacing the fruit when it goes bad. This version of Comedian is the third; the first banana was famously eaten by artist David Datuna in 2019, adding more controversy to the piece.
Sun, who has made other big art purchases, like Alberto Giacometti’s Le Nez for $78.4 million, says he plans to eat the banana himself as part of the art experience. The banana artwork challenges traditional ideas about what art should be, showing the strange and sometimes ridiculous ways the art world values creations.