A banana attached to a white wall with adhesive tape was sold for more than 131 million kroner. The new owner received not only a piece of fruit, but also a roll of insulating tape, instructions on how to clean the banana, and a certificate of authenticity. Justin Sun, the founder of cryptocurrency tron, offered a staggering sum for the work of the Italian artist Maurizio Catellano. He said he plans to eat the banana he bought.
One of the three versions of the work from 2019, titled The Comedian, made its first auction at Sotheby’s New York contemporary art auction. The starting price of the Comedy was 800,000 dollars. But it wasn’t long until he began to climb high above the original estimates. “I never thought I’d be saying ‘five million dollars for a banana,'” he remarked to auctioneer Oliver Barker as the bidding neared its peak.
With his work, Maurizio Cattelan followed Marcel Duchamp and his famous urinal, which turned the values of the art world upside down with his creation. Duchamp believed that the value of a work of art lies in the context and the idea. Not in technical or aesthetic perfection. Both artists used everyday objects to simply draw attention to the absurdity of the global art market. The fact that ordinary things are easier raises questions in people about the value and meaning of such works.
The special banana that Sun sold on a white background cost just 35 cents before the auction. In the end, a Chinese businessman will pay 6.2 million dollars for the banana, including taxes, which translates to about 131 million crowns. For them, he gets not only a piece of fruit and a roll of insulating tape, but above all a certificate of authenticity and instructions to submit the work. Including how to exchange fruit.
The purchased banana is said to be eaten by the new owner. The creation, which the auctioneer described as a “viral sensation”, made its first appearance at the Art Basel contemporary art sale exhibition in Miami, Florida in 2019. Already at that time, the media was interested in the world in the price of 120 000 dollars.
They ate the banana, they stole the toilet
The incident happened later, when another artist, David Datuna, tore a banana from the wall, peeled it and ate it, and it also caught the attention of the media. He called his art show The Hungry Artist. Last May, a local art student enjoyed the work in the same way in the South Korean capital of Seoul. Apart from the most expensive banana in the world, Cattelana was also famous for his toilet bowl made of eighteen carat gold. However, the work called America was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England in September 2019.
2024-11-23 07:32:00
#Banana #money #Chinese #selling #millions #auction #cost #cents #Now.cz
Given the ephemeral nature of “Comedian” as a perishable object, how does its value transform when the physical banana is consumed or deteriorates?[[2](https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2019/12/05/maurizio-cattelans-banana-comedian-devoured-art-basel-miami-beach)]
## The Art of the Banana: A World-Today-News Interview
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World-Today-News, where we delve into the events shaping our world. Today, we’re exploring the captivating world of contemporary art with a focus on Maurizio Cattelan’s $6.2 million banana, titled ‘Comedian’. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name], [Guest 1 Expertise], and [Guest 2 Name], [Guest 2 Expertise].
**Section 1: The Price of a Banana**
* **Moderator:** Let’s start with the banana itself. A fruit that typically costs a few cents was transformed into a multi-million dollar artwork. What does this say about the current state of the art market? [Guest 1]
* **Moderator:** [Guest 2], many see this sale as absurd and a cynical commentary on the art world. Do you agree? What are your thoughts on the concept of assigning such a high value to everyday objects?
* **Moderator:**
Could one argue that Cattelan is using irony and humor to expose the absurdity within the art world, much like Duchamp did with his urinal? [Guest 1]
* **Moderator**:
This piece sparked debate about whether
an artwork’s value lies in the object itself, the artist’s intention, or the perceptions of the viewer. [Guest 2], where do you draw the line between art and mere provocation?
**Section 2: The Collector and the Consumption**
* **Moderator:** Justin Sun, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, purchased this banana with the intention of eating it. What does this tell us about the motivations of contemporary art collectors?
[Guest 1]
* **Moderator:**
Does eating the banana change its artistic value? Does it become less of a piece of art or a performance in itself?
[Guest 2]
* **Moderator:** This incident echoes similar occurrences, including David Datuna eating a version of the banana at Art Basel. Does this suggest a vandalistic urge or a deeper engagement with the work? [Guest 1]
**Section 3: The Legacy of Cattelan**
* **Moderator:** Maurizio Cattelan, known for his controversial works like the gold toilet, constantly pushes boundaries. How does he challenge our perceptions of art and its purpose? [Guest 2]
* **Moderator:** The gold toilet, valued at $6 million, was stolen in 2019. Does this speak to the fragility of art’s value when detached from the artist’s hand? [Guest 1]
* **Moderator:**
Where do you see Cattelan’s reputation within the history of contemporary art? Does he open doors for new forms of expression or risk trivializing the field?
[Guest 2]
* **Moderator:** Thank you both for your insightful commentary. This has been a fascinating discussion
about the ‘Comedian’ and the ever-evolving nature
of art in the 21st century.
**Conclusion:**