The purchase and consumption of an artwork titled Comedian, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has stirred discussions worldwide. The artwork, consisting solely of a banana taped to a wall with duct tape, was sold for a staggering $6.2 million (over ₱360 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. The new owner is Justin Sun, a Chinese entrepreneur prominent in the cryptocurrency industry.
After acquiring the artwork, Sun ate the banana in front of journalists and influencers at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. He remarked, “It tastes better than other bananas.” He added that consuming the banana was a part of the artwork’s evolving history.
The controversial Comedian first debuted in 2019 at the Art Basel Miami Beach. It quickly became a focal point for debates on the concept and value of art. During his speech, Sun compared the artwork to NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and blockchain technology, emphasizing their shared focus on intellectual property rather than physical objects.
Despite its hefty price tag, the banana itself was originally purchased for less than a dollar from a Manhattan fruit stall. Upon learning about the sale, Shah Alam, the vendor, was moved to tears and stated, “I am a poor man. I have never seen this kind of money.”
In response, Sun pledged to buy 100,000 bananas from Alam’s stall to symbolize the connection between everyday life and art. He announced plans to distribute the bananas globally as a tribute to this unique relationship.
The Comedian comes with a certificate of authenticity and instructions on how to replace the banana once it decays. Sun also purchased the rights to recreate the artwork using any banana and duct tape. He has not disclosed whether he plans to do so.
At the event’s conclusion, attendees received duct tape and a banana as souvenirs. Sun remarked, “Everyone has a banana to eat.”
This extraordinary blend of art, humor, and commentary has continued to spark global curiosity, making Comedian a symbol of modern conceptual art.