Banana Taped to Wall Sells for $6.2M at Sotheby's
Banana Duct-Taped to Wall Sells for $6.2M at Sotheby's
The Facts
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual artwork "Comedian," consisting of a banana attached to a wall with duct tape, sold for $6.2M at Sotheby's contemporary art auction in New York on Wednesday.
The artwork, which was bought by Chinese cryptocurrency firm founder Justin Sun, comes with a certificate of authenticity and instructions for replacing the banana when it rots. This comes after the piece debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019.
The Spin
"Comedian" offers a compelling critique of both art and society. Its temporary nature challenges traditional notions of permanence, while its simplicity mocks the commodification of art. By transforming an everyday object into a high-value piece of conceptual art, itthe piece provokes debate on wealth, accessibility, and what truly defines art. AsWith society is now debating the absurdity of thethis piececreation, Maurizio Cattelan has achieved his goal.
Modern art likeis thisall istoo often not some unique form of social commentary but ratheressentially a money laundering scheme. Its low production costs and subjective valuation often allow for inflated prices that disguise illicit transactions. It's sad that the art industry, which used to be led by the classics, has often been hijacked by those who either wish to commit financial fraud or degenerate ourculture cultureitself.
