As the New York modern and contemporary auctions draw to a close, one artwork has stolen the spotlight and captivated audiences worldwide: Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian (2019). This provocative piece, composed of a banana duct-taped to a wall, has sparked a media frenzy. Adding to its intrigue, Sotheby’s recently sold the artwork for an astonishing $6.2 million, including fees. But while the price tag is jaw-dropping, it’s what the buyer plans to do with the artwork that has everyone talking.
A Banana Worth Millions – And Soon to Be Eaten
Justin Sun, the Chinese crypto entrepreneur who purchased the piece, announced his unique plans for the banana. He stated, “In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture.” While the connection between digestion and art history might raise some eyebrows, Sun’s announcement has added another layer of intrigue to this already infamous work.
This isn’t the first time an art collector has surprised the world by using an art piece in an unconventional way. Liu Yiqian, a Chinese billionaire and art collector, famously purchased the Meiyintang “chicken cup” in 2014 for $36 million. Rather than letting the Ming-era porcelain sit untouched, Liu used it to drink tea, transforming its historical value into a deeply personal and modern experience.
Art and food have often intersected, with many artists incorporating edible materials into their creations. Urs Fischer’s Faules Fundament (Rotten Foundation) (2017) and Dieter Roth’s chocolate and bread sculptures of the 1960s both explored the natural process of decay as a central theme. Similarly, Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.) (1991) invited viewers to eat the candies that comprised the artwork, blending consumption with artistic participation.
However, using perishable materials presents challenges for preservation. Roth’s bread sculptures, for instance, have required restoration due to infestations of weevils, highlighting the tension between the ephemeral nature of food and the enduring legacy of art.
Justin Sun’s $6 Million Statement
By choosing to eat Cattelan’s Comedian, Justin Sun may not be mocking the art world but rather participating in its long tradition of experiential and conceptual art. His decision could be seen as a respectful act of engagement, adding new meaning to a piece that already challenges conventional notions of value, permanence, and artistic intent.
Whether Sun’s move will add to the artwork’s legacy or its humor remains to be seen. As the art world holds its breath, one thing is certain: Comedian continues to be a conversation starter, proving that even a banana can leave a lasting impression.