Art world reacts to $6 million banana artwork 'Comedian' as market struggles to recover
This year has seen some of the worst sales in decades for the art market, and the “Comedian” piece is unlikely to move the needle one way or the other.
For most art-world buyers, a work unsubtly called “Comedian” lacked a certain a-peel.
It’s little wonder: “Comedian” is actually just a banana duct-taped to a wall. Created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, the piece debuted at the 2019 Art Basel fair in Miami, where it caused a sensation but also earned as many chuckles as critical plaudits.
But on Wednesday, Cattelan got the last laugh as “Comedian” sold for $6.24 million, including $1 million in fees.
The buyer was soon revealed to be Justin Sun, a 34-year old cryptocurrency platform founder from China and based in Switzerland. Sun confirmed the purchase on his X feed, writing that it represented “a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.”
“I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history,” Sun wrote, adding he would personally eat the banana “as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture.”
Rating: 5