How a Duct-Taped Banana Became a $1 Million Art Sensation.
A banana duct-taped to a wall, titled “Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is now estimated to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction in New York on November 20. The conceptual artwork, which first debuted in 2019 at Art Basel Miami Beach, quickly became a cultural phenomenon and sparked debates about the meaning and value of art.
The piece, consisting of a yellow banana affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape, initially sold as an edition of three for prices ranging from $120,000 to $150,000, according to Perrotin gallery. The artwork’s viral fame was amplified when another artist removed the banana, ate it, and prompted a replacement. Crowds gathered for selfies in such overwhelming numbers that the gallery eventually withdrew “Comedian” from display.
A Provocative Statement
David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, described the work as “profound and provocative,” saying it challenges traditional notions of value and art.
“What you’re buying isn’t the banana itself,” Galperin explained, “but a certificate of authenticity granting the owner the right to reproduce the artwork with fresh bananas and duct tape, ensuring its ongoing existence as a Cattelan original.”
The title, “Comedian,” hints at the artist’s playful intentions. Cattelan, often referred to as a “trickster artist,” is known for blending humor with darker social commentary.
Layers of Meaning
Chloé Cooper Jones, an assistant professor at Columbia University, suggests “Comedian” might be more than a satire of the art world’s excesses. She sees the banana as a potent symbol tied to global trade, imperialism, and labor exploitation.
“It’s hard to think of a better, simple symbol of global trade and its exploitations than the banana,” Cooper Jones said. If the piece compels viewers to reflect on their role in global systems of production, it could hold deeper significance beyond its absurdity.
Comparing Cattelan to Monet
Sotheby’s is also auctioning a Claude Monet painting from the famed “Water Lilies” series, valued at $60 million. Galperin notes that Monet’s impressionism was once considered radical, much like Cattelan’s banana challenges contemporary norms.
“No profound artwork from the past century or two escaped initial discomfort or criticism,” Galperin remarked.
Cattelan’s “Comedian” may provoke laughter, confusion, or debate, but it undeniably mirrors a modern art world obsessed with value, spectacle, and meaning in the mundane.
