A Banana Taped to a Wall Could Sell for Over $1 Million
Famous contemporary artist Maurizio Cattelan broke boundaries with his 2019 piece, “Comedian.” The work? Literally a banana duct-taped to a wall. While some saw it as a stroke of genius and dissected its possible underlying meaning, others were in an uproar over how outlandish they thought it was. All that buzz from five years ago is resurfacing now that “Comedian” is expected to score upwards of $1 million at auction.
Banana as Art
We’ve all seen movie and TV scenes where someone calls the integrity of artwork into question with the famous, “That looks like something a toddler painted.” Imagine the expletives those folks must’ve hurled when artist Maurizio Cattelan duct-taped a banana to a wall and called it “Comedian,” his masterpiece. Yes, really. Said artwork is now heading to auction, where it’s estimated to sell between $1 million and $1.5 million. That’s a seriously expensive piece of art.
What Makes This Banana Worth $1 Million?
Imagine how many lifetime supplies of bananas you could buy for a million bucks. It’s hard for some (most) people to wrap their heads around paying upwards of $1 million for this artwork, especially since the purchase isn’t even tangible. Since bananas are perishable and “Comedian” first debuted at Art Basel in 2019 (which means it’d be long-brown by now), whoever purchases it won’t be getting a piece of a wall sent to them, complete with a duct-taped banana. Instead, they will receive a certificate of authenticity, allowing them to reproduce it on their own wall and rightfully call it one of Maurizio Cattelan’s works. As long as they duct-tape their banana exactly 63 inches from the floor and have that trusty certificate, it’s considered an original Cattelan artwork. The value lies in the concept and the artist’s commentary on how art is defined.
Why Did It Go Viral?
When it was first unveiled, “Comedian” ignited reactions ranging from laughter to outrage (complex emotions for produce, to be sure). It became a cultural phenomenon, sparking memes and debates about the nature of art. Critics and fans alike couldn’t ignore the bold statement behind a piece so unassuming — and yet so controversial.
Is There More to the Banana Than Meets the Eye?
Some believe the banana in “Comedian” represents more than just a fruit. As Chloé Cooper Jones, assistant professor at the Columbia University School of the Arts, explains, it could symbolize global trade, exploitation, and corporate power. Its humble and universal nature may be a deliberate nod to deeper issues within both the art world and society. Surely a reputable artist wouldn’t just tape a nanner to the wall without some sort of symbolism at play, right?
When Is the Auction?
With an estimated price tag of over $1 million, “Comedian” is poised to make waves once again as it heads to auction at Sotheby’s “The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction.” The auction takes place on November 20 at 7 p.m. “Comedian” is one of many contemporary pieces that will be up for sale, including several works by the famous Roy Lichtenstein, but it’s the only piece of fruit taped to a wall — and the only lot accepting crypto as a payment option.