It’s not much more than a banana taped to the wall, yet the capture of Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan once again caused a sensation in the art market last Wednesday night in New York: it was acquired for $6.2 million dollars from a Chinese-American businessman at an auction.
In the hall of the auction house Sotheby’s seven potential buyers or their representatives in person and many more by phone or digitally fought a real battle to acquire the work “Comedian”.
It is a banana, stuck to the wall with a piece of silver tape.
For several minutes, the price went up, the hits continued, it went from $800,000 to $5.2 million, $6.2 million. dollars if costs are included, when the hammer was last heard.
A short time later it was announced in a Sotheby’s press release that Justin Sun, founder of the cryptocurrency platform Tron, is the buyer.
After over 6 minutes of heated bidding, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s and Chairman of Sotheby’s China, Jen Hua, placed the winning bid for ‘Comedian’ on behalf of @justinsuntronChinese collector and founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON.
— Sotheby’s (@Sothebys) November 21, 2024
“It’s not just about art. It represents a cultural phenomenon that has created a bridge between the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community,” commented the businessman originally from Xining, China. He clarified that he meant to “eat the banana”, doing so as a “unique artistic experience” and to honor “her place in art history and popular culture”.
— H.E. Justin Sun 🍌 (@justinsuntron) November 21, 2024
Thirty-something Justin Sun had already attracted interest when he acquired Alberto Giacometti’s 2021 sculpture for $78.4 million.
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve bought the banana !!! @SpaceX @Sothebys I am Justin Sun, and I’m excited to share that I have successfully acquired Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic work, Comedian for $6.2 million. This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon… pic.twitter.com/lAj1RE6y0C
— H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) November 21, 2024
The specific conception of the iconoclastic and deliberately provocative creator Maurizio Catalan, which had three versions, was intended to raise questions about the meaning of art and its value. It has been much discussed, since the first exhibition in which it was presented, in 2019 in Miami, where another artist ate the fruit to denounce the price of the work, $120,000 at the time. Another specimen was donated to the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Maurizio Cattelan
Sotheby’s had yesterday estimated the value of this “project” between 1 and 1.5 million. dollars. The terms of the sale provide that the buyer will receive a certificate of authenticity and instructions on how to replace the fruit.
Maurizio Cattelan was already known in the space for previous provocative creations, such as a golden toilet and a sculpture depicting the pope being crushed by a meteorite.
Art market experts noted in the auction house’s own video that the sale was ridiculous, absurd and a palpable indication of the excesses of this market, drawing parallels with Banksy’s self-destructing work “Girl with Ballon”, also auctioned by Sotheby’s in London in 2018.
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#USA #banana #stuck #wall #sold #million #buyer #Photos
Here are two Perspective-Action-Adaptation (PAA) related questions based on the provided text:
This article discusses the recent sale of Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork “Comedian,” a banana duct-taped to a wall, for $6.2 million. It highlights the controversial nature of the piece and the reactions it has evoked. Here are some potential interview questions based on the article, divided into thematic sections:
**Section 1: The Art Itself**
* What makes Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” a work of art? Is its value derived solely from its concept, its execution, or the controversy surrounding it?
* What are your thoughts on the use of everyday objects in art? Does it elevate the ordinary, or does it cheapen the meaning of art?
* How does “Comedian,” with its ephemeral nature and the potential for decay, challenge our traditional understanding of art ownership and preservation?
**Section 2: The Art Market**
* Is the $6.2 million price tag for “Comedian” justified? Does its sale reflect the true value of the artwork, or is it a symptom of an inflated and speculative art market?
* How does this sale compare to other notable art sales? What does it tell us about the current state of the art market and the individuals who participate in it?
* Do you think this sale is a sign of true appreciation for Cattelan’s work, or is it simply a case of hype and speculative investment?
**Section 3: Cultural Implications**
* What does the public reaction to “Comedian” say about our relationship with art and our willingness to challenge conventions?
* Does the controversy surrounding “Comedian” ultimately benefit or harm the art world?
* What does the message behind “Comedian” say about consumerism, capitalism, or the value we place on objects in our society?
These questions are designed to spark discussion and encourage different perspectives on the complex and provocative nature of “Comedian” and its place in the art world.
