Duct-Taped Banana Artwork Fetches Record $6.2 Million at Sotheby's Auction

The sale of Maurizio Cattelan's provocative installation, "Comedian," at Sotheby's has garnered $6.2 million, far exceeding estimates. Chinese entrepreneur Justin Sun plans to eat the banana as part of the artwork's unique experience, continuing its legacy of engaging with viewers.

Maurizio Cattelan's controversial artwork known as "Comedian," which features a banana duct-taped to a wall, has sold for an astonishing $6.2 million (£4.9 million) at a Sotheby's auction in New York, significantly surpassing pre-sale projections. The auction took place on Wednesday, with Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun ultimately winning the bidding after competing against six other bidders.

Mr. Sun expressed his intent to consume the banana in a bid to further engage with the unique artistic experience this piece represents. It is reported that the banana was initially purchased earlier the same day for just $0.35, making it one of the most expensive fruits ever sold.

First showcased in 2019, "Comedian" quickly became a cultural phenomenon and ignited intense discussions around the concept of art itself. The installation is designed to allow for the banana's replacement once it inevitably rots, highlighting the transient nature of art. This artistic concept has taken on a life of its own, with the banana being removed and replaced on more than one occasion.

In one notable instance, a student in South Korea consumed the banana during a display at the Leeum Museum, after which a new banana was placed in its place. Similarly, in an earlier event, a performance artist took the banana from the wall when the artwork was sold for $120,000 at Art Basel in Miami; the piece was quickly restored after the action.

Justin Sun is known for running the Tron blockchain network, which supports various cryptocurrency transactions. He was previously accused of fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly inflating trading volumes of his cryptocurrency token, TRX, which he denies. The sale of "Comedian" underscores the intriguing intersections of art, value, and the contemporary cultural landscape.