A Banana Taped to a Wall Sold for $6.2 Million in New York!
A cryptocurrency entrepreneur purchased a fresh banana taped to a wall with silver duct tape for an astonishing $6.2 million. Based on the current exchange rate in Iran, this amounts to approximately 420 billion tomans.
This conceptual and controversial artwork, titled Comedian, was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and first showcased in 2019 at Art Basel Miami Beach. It sparked widespread debates about whether such an object could be considered art. Cattelan stated that his goal was to provoke these very questions.
On Wednesday, Justin Sun, the Chinese-born founder in the crypto sphere, acquired the piece through Sotheby’s auction. The banana and its simple duct tape had initially been sold for $120,000 five years ago.
In a statement released by Sotheby’s, Sun described the work as “not just art but a cultural phenomenon bridging the worlds of art, memes, and cryptocurrency.” He added, “I believe this piece will inspire future thought and discussions, becoming a part of history.”
The sale, which had seven potential bidders, far exceeded expectations. Sotheby’s had initially estimated the artwork’s value to be between $1 million and $1.5 million. Given the banana’s perishable nature, the buyer received a certificate of authenticity verifying Cattelan’s creation along with instructions on how to replace the banana if it spoils.
Banana Taped to a Wall” Becomes an Edible Masterpiece Once Again
The banana sold for $6.2 million is the third iteration of this conceptual art series. The first version gained fame in 2019 when artist David Datuna ate it, claiming he felt hungry while examining the piece.
Justin Sun, founder of the Tron cryptocurrency platform, plans to follow in Datuna’s footsteps. Sun announced:
“In the coming days, I will personally eat this banana as part of its unique artistic experience, celebrating its place in both art history and pop culture.”
According to The New York Times, the banana auctioned on Wednesday was originally purchased for 35 cents from a Bangladeshi vendor in Manhattan.
This extraordinary story of art and appetite highlights the playful tension between conceptual art’s value and its ephemeral nature.