In 2019, a banana duct-taped to a wall by artist Maurizio Cattelan was sold for $120,000, sparking a debate about the value of art. Now, one of the three editions of this artwork, titled "Comedian," is back on sale at Sotheby's with an estimated value of $1 million to $1.5 million.
The winning bidder will receive a roll of duct tape, a banana, a certificate of authenticity, and installation instructions. Sotheby's confirmed that the tape and banana in this edition are not the originals, as the physical materials are replaced with each installation.
"Comedian" was first displayed at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair five years ago, where it attracted attention with its six-figure price tag. The original banana used in the artwork was bought from a grocery store in Miami, but it could be replaced according to the artist's instructions.
The art world had mixed reactions to "Comedian," with some seeing it as a commentary on the value of art itself. The artwork gained further notoriety when performance artist David Datuna ate the banana from the wall at the fair, considering it a part of his artistic performance.
All three editions of "Comedian" were eventually sold at the fair, with two going to private collectors for $120,000 each and the third being purchased for a higher sum. Sotheby's has not revealed the identity of the seller in the upcoming auction but mentioned that the current owner acquired it from one of the original buyers.
Cattelan described "Comedian" as a reflection on societal values and not merely a joke. Sotheby's head of contemporary art for the Americas praised the artwork as a "defiant work of pure genius" that challenges the notion of art's value.
While this will be the first time "Comedian" appears at auction, it was recently exhibited at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, where it was also eaten by an art student. The museum replaced the eaten banana with a fresh one.
Sotheby's plans to exhibit "Comedian" before the sale, with showings in various cities around the world. The auction will take place at Sotheby's New York headquarters on November 20, allowing the public to determine the true value of this controversial artwork.