Duct-taped banana sells for more than $6 million at auction
NBCNov 21
Banana Taped to Wall Sells for $6.2M at Sotheby's
Above: A journalist takes a picture of Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan's duct-taped Banana entitled "Comedian," displayed during a media preview at Sotheby's in New York on Nov. 8, 2024. Image copyright: Kena Betancur/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
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
Narrative A
"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, the piece provokes debate on wealth, accessibility, and what truly defines art. With society now debating the absurdity of this creation, Maurizio Cattelan has achieved his goal.
Narrative B
Modern art is all too often not some unique form of social commentary but essentially 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 culture itself.