In 2019, artist Maurizio Cattelan’s work titled “Comedian,” featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for an astonishing $120,000, sparking widespread debate about the nature of art. Now, the buzz continues as auction house Sotheby’s announced that one of the artwork’s three editions will be back on the market, with an estimated value between $1 million and $1.5 million.
What’s Included in the Sale?
The winning bidder will receive a roll of duct tape, a banana (not the original), a certificate of authenticity, and detailed installation instructions. Sotheby’s confirmed that neither the tape nor the banana in this edition are the originals, as the artwork is designed to have its materials replaced for each installation.
Art Basel Miami Beach: The Birth of ‘Comedian’
“Comedian” first gained fame at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair five years ago, where it was priced at six figures. The banana used for the initial installation was sourced from a local grocery store, and gallery representatives confirmed that it could be substituted at any time according to Cattelan’s guidance.
The installation divided critics, with some praising its conceptual roots that echo the legacy of Marcel Duchamp’s infamous urinal. Crowds flocked to view the installation, but the event took a surprising turn when performance artist David Datuna removed the banana from the wall, peeled it, and ate it in front of a captivated audience. Datuna later defended his actions as an artistic statement rather than vandalism.
Impact and Legacy of ‘Comedian’
Although the Miami installation was eventually dismantled due to public safety concerns, all three editions of “Comedian” were sold at the fair. Two editions fetched $120,000 each, while the third was sold for a higher but undisclosed amount and later donated to The Guggenheim Museum in New York. Sotheby’s has not disclosed the current seller but confirmed that the present owner acquired it from one of the original buyers.
In past interviews, Cattelan has characterized “Comedian” as a commentary on societal values. He expressed that the viral installation is “not a joke,” but rather a reflection of what people consider valuable.
A New Auction and World Tour
As the auction approaches, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art for the Americas, David Galperin, hailed “Comedian” as a “defiant work of pure genius” that balances critical thought and wit. He emphasized that auctioning the work would allow the public to determine its true value.
This auction marks the first time “Comedian” will be sold publicly, following a recent exhibition at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea. In yet another twist, a student from Seoul National University ate the banana during the exhibit, claiming hunger as the reason. The museum promptly replaced the banana with a fresh one.
Sotheby’s plans to showcase the artwork at its New York headquarters before the auction on November 20. Following this, “Comedian” will embark on a world tour, stopping in cities including London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.
