Duct-Taped Banana Artwork Sells for a Record $6.24 Million in New York

A unique artwork titled “Comedian”, featuring a banana taped to a wall with duct tape, has been sold at a record-breaking $6.24 million (approximately PKR 1.7 billion) at an auction in New York. Created by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, the artwork has been a topic of global fascination since its debut.

Auction Details:

• The auction was conducted by Sotheby’s, which estimated the price to be between $1 million and $1.5 million.
• The bidding started at $800,000, eventually climbing to the record figure.
• The artwork was purchased collectively by three buyers, including Justin Sun, a Chinese collector and founder of a cryptocurrency platform.

Artwork History:

• “Comedian” was first showcased at the Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, where it gained widespread attention and sparked debates about modern art.
• Many observers questioned whether the piece was a joke or a commentary on the current state of art.

Notable Incidents:

1. The Banana Was Eaten:
   • In 2023, during an exhibition in South Korea, an art student removed the banana from the installation and ate it, citing hunger. The banana was replaced, and no action was taken against the student.
   • Similarly, in 2019, performance artist David Datuna ate the banana displayed at Art Basel Miami. It was replaced without any consequences.
2. Global Exhibitions:
   • Before the auction, “Comedian” was displayed in major cities, including New York, London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.

Price and Significance:

This simple yet thought-provoking artwork has become a cultural phenomenon, challenging perceptions of value and humor in contemporary art. Its record-breaking sale highlights the growing appreciation for conceptual art and its ability to spark conversations worldwide