A banana duct-taped to a wall is now poised to fetch a jaw-dropping $1.5 million at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction in New York. Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian,” infamous for sparking debate since its debut at Art Basel Miami in 2019, has become emblematic of contemporary art’s blurred lines and biting commentary on value, authenticity, and absurdity.
The auction, set for November 20, won't deliver a banana from 2019 but a new, standard-issue fruit taped with fresh duct tape, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. This certificate grants the buyer the rights to display the concept, with detailed instructions on how to recreate the artwork — just as Cattelan did five years ago using a banana that cost less than a dollar.
“Comedian” has a storied journey. At its Miami unveiling, the piece caused a sensation, selling two of its original three editions for an astounding $120,000 each. The third piece was donated to the Guggenheim Museum.
Its display drew in record crowds, so much so that Art Basel curators eventually removed it, fearing other works would be damaged in the fervour. The work even inspired performance artist David Datuna, who famously ate the banana on display, calling his act “Hungry Artist.”
While the artwork’s materiality — a piece of fruit bound to inevitably rot — may seem trivial, its impact remains far-reaching. Art critics argue that the real essence of “Comedian” lies not in the banana itself but in the statement it makes about the nature of art and value.
After its explosive debut, “Comedian” has since garnered comparisons to Cattelan’s other provocative works, notably “America,” a fully functional gold toilet that caused a media frenzy in 2016. Sotheby’s has described Cattelan as “among Contemporary Art’s most brilliant provocateurs,” a label fitting for an artist who has challenged traditional conceptions of art at every turn.
Before the auction, “Comedian” will embark on a global tour, offering audiences in Sotheby’s galleries worldwide a chance to experience this unconventional piece.
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