“Priceless Banana” Sold for $6.2 Million
In a deal that stunned the world, a banana taped to a wall, part of an artwork titled “The Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was sold for $5.2 million at an auction organized by Sotheby’s in New York. With the addition of auction fees, the total amount reached $6.2 million.
The buyer, Justin Sun, a Chinese businessman specializing in cryptocurrencies, stated that this banana is not just an art piece to him. In an unusual statement, Sun announced that he plans to eat the banana in the coming days as part of a “unique artistic experience,” emphasizing that the artwork bridges art, digital culture, and memes.
The piece first appeared at the Art Basel Miami Beach exhibition in 2019, where three editions were sold for prices ranging from $120,000 to $150,000 each. However, it sparked significant controversy when performance artist David Datuna removed one of the bananas and ate it in front of the audience, describing his act as a “performance art.”
It is worth noting that Justin Sun received a certificate of authenticity along with the banana, as well as instructions on how to reinstall the piece. Despite its high market value, it appears the fate of this artwork will soon be on a dining table.
