NEW YORK (AP) — While you can usually find a banana in supermarkets for under $1, a banana taped to a wall might fetch over $1 million at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction in New York. This peculiar artwork, titled “Comedian,” is created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and is capturing significant attention.
The piece features a bright yellow banana affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape. It first became a conversation starter at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair in 2019, where it was introduced as an edition of three. The artwork sparked discussions not only about its absurdity but also about the nature of art itself.
Critics and enthusiasts questioned whether “Comedian” was a prank or a commentary reflecting the current art scene. The piece faced an unexpected twist when another artist removed the banana from the wall and ate it, prompting the introduction of a backup banana. The ensuing frenzy led to massive crowds trying to capture selfies with it, forcing the exhibit to be taken down. Despite the chaos, three editions sold for between $120,000 and $150,000, as reported by Perrotin gallery.
Cattelan’s “Comedian” is estimated to be valued between $1 million and $1.5 million for the auction scheduled on November 20. David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, describes it as both profound and provocative. He explains, “Cattelan is really holding a mirror to the contemporary art world, prompting us to reevaluate how we ascribe value to art and what we consider to be art.”
Bidders should note they won’t be purchasing the original banana from Miami. The original fruits are long gone, as it was always intended for the fruit to be replaced regularly along with the tape.
When acquiring Cattelan’s “Comedian,” buyers receive a certificate of authenticity, allowing them the right to reproduce the banana and tape on their wall as an original artwork by the artist. This notion suggests that the essence of the artwork lies not in the physical banana itself but in the concept behind it.
The title “Comedian” adds to the discussion about the seriousness of Cattelan’s intent. Chloé Cooper Jones, an assistant professor at Columbia University School of the Arts, highlights the context in which the artwork was revealed. It was showcased at a high-profile art fair attended by affluent collectors, which was likely meant to provoke thought and debate about the absurdity of art investments.
Cooper Jones remarks that if “Comedian” serves merely as a reflection of the elitist art-collecting scene, it is not particularly groundbreaking. However, she suggests that Cattelan’s work may transcend mere humor directed at wealthy individuals. Known as a “trickster artist,” Cattelan often intertwines humor with deeper, darker themes, prompting audiences to confront unsettling aspects of history and human nature.
The choice of a banana carries connotations tied to imperialism, labor exploitation, and corporate dominance. As Cooper Jones observes, “It would be difficult to find a simpler symbol representing global trade and its injustices than the banana.” If “Comedian” serves to make viewers reflect on their moral complicity in the production of everyday items, it adds another layer of meaning to the work.
Interestingly, “Comedian” will be auctioned alongside a renowned piece from Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” series, expected to sell for around $60 million. When drawing comparisons between Cattelan’s banana and Monet’s classic work “Nymphéas,” Galperin reminds us that impressionism was once regarded as non-art when it first emerged. He asserts, “No significant artwork from the past century or two has been devoid of discomfort or controversy at its unveiling.”
___
Follow Julie Walker on X @jwalkreporter.
