Viral duct-taped banana could sell for $1 million in auction

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual artwork "Comedian," which involves a banana duct-taped to a wall, is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby's in New York on 20 November. It is estimated to have a value of $1 million to $1.5 million, reports 9news.

The piece, originally unveiled in 2019 at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair, sparked global intrigue and debate over its absurdity and deeper meaning. Three editions of "Comedian" were sold at the fair for prices ranging between $120,000 and $150,000, despite controversy surrounding its validity as art.

The artwork's debut saw dramatic moments, including a fellow artist removing and eating the banana, only for it to be replaced by another. The installation, a banana affixed to a white wall with duct tape, became an instant social media sensation, drawing such large crowds that it was eventually removed from display.

Sotheby's head of contemporary art, David Galperin, called the work "profound and provocative," highlighting its commentary on the value and definition of art. Galperin explained that buyers are not purchasing the banana itself but a certificate of authenticity allowing them to recreate the artwork as an original Cattelan piece.

"What Cattelan is really doing is turning a mirror to the contemporary art world," Galperin said, "and asking questions about how we ascribe value to artworks."

While the piece has been dismissed by some as a prank or a critique of wealthy art collectors, others see a deeper resonance. Chloé Cooper Jones, an assistant professor at Columbia University, noted the banana's symbolism, referencing its ties to imperialism, labor exploitation, and global trade.

"It would be hard to come up with a better, simple symbol of global trade and all of its exploitations than the banana," Cooper Jones said. She suggested the piece might challenge viewers to consider their moral complicity in the commodification of everyday objects.

Cattelan, often described as a "trickster artist," has a reputation for blending humor with dark undertones in his work.

Galperin compared "Comedian" to impressionist works like Claude Monet's "Nymphéas" (Water Lilies), another Sotheby's highlight estimated at $60 million. He remarked that even Monet's work faced criticism in its early days.

"No important, profound, meaningful artwork in history did not provoke discomfort when it was first unveiled," Galperin said.

As the art world prepares for the auction, "Comedian" continues to provoke questions about the boundaries of creativity and the ever-evolving definition of art.