Banana duct-taped to a wall sells for $6.2m at auction

Thursday, 21 November 2024 11:47

A banana duct-taped to a wall has sold for $6.2m (£4.9m) at an auction in New York.

The conceptual art piece, called Comedian, became a viral sensation after Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan debuted it at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019.

Festivalgoers tried to make out whether the single piece of fruit stuck to a white wall with silver tape was a joke or cheeky commentary on questionable standards among art collectors.

The Sotheby's auction house said it was the announcement of a new original work by the prominent and provocative artist Cattelan that initially captured the world's attention, but Comedian "quickly erupted into a viral global sensation that drew record crowds, social media inundation, landed the cover of The New York Post, and divided viewers and critics alike".

At one point, someone even took the banana off the wall and ate it.

Now Justin Sun, founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, has paid $6.2m at an auction for a certificate of authenticity that gives him the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it "Comedian."

Mr Sun said Comedian "represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community".

But the latest version won't last long - because he's going to eat it.

"Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honouring its place in both art history and popular culture," Mr Sun said.

Read more:
Americans upset about Trump win offered '€1 houses' in Italy
Why Swedish minister's staff insist on banana-free rooms

The Sotheby's auction saw bidding start at $800,000 and increase to multi-millions within minutes, with the auctioneer joking: "Don't let it slip away."

Lucius Elliot, head of contemporary marquee sales at Sotheby's, said there has been much debate over "whether this is art, whether it is a prank, whether it is a symbol of the excess of the art market".

"In truth, it is, of course, all of those things," he concluded.

Sky News

More from Watch

Everything 'on the table' in debate over restricting children's social media use, says science secretary

The science secretary has said he will "keep everything on the table" when it comes to restricting social media for children aged under 16 if tech companies do not act.
'Millions remain trapped': Leaseholders still 'cash cows' despite update on abolishing 'feudal' system

Long-awaited legislation to abolish England's "feudal" leasehold property system will be published in the second half of next year, the government has confirmed in a major update for the millions of people affected.
Water companies blocked from using customer cash for 'undeserved' bonuses

Nine water companies have been blocked from using customer money to fund "undeserved" bonuses by the industry's regulator.
Public sector pay rises help drive up government borrowing

Government borrowing rose to £17.4bn last month - the second highest October figure since monthly records began, official figures show.
Britain 'directly involved' in Ukraine war, Russian ambassador tells Sky News

Britain is now "directly involved" in the Ukraine war after its Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike targets inside Russia, according to Moscow's ambassador.
Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson among mourners as funeral takes place

Friends and family of Liam Payne, including his One Direction bandmates, have gathered to say goodbye at his funeral.
Budget fallout: Royal Mail owner warns on prices and jobs

Royal Mail's parent firm has blamed the budget for a failure to return to profitability, warning it cannot rule out price hikes and job cuts in response.
Developed countries at COP29 urged to put a figure on climate cash as deadline looms

Countries have reacted furiously to a stash of draft deals published at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan today.
British tourist who fell ill from methanol poisoning dies after 'free shots' giveaway in Laos resort

A British tourist being treated after a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos has died, according to UK officials.
Donald Trump watches SpaceX launch with Elon Musk, but test flight does not go as planned

Elon Musk's SpaceX has successfully performed another launch of its Starship rocket in front of President-elect Donald Trump, but the test flight did not go perfectly.
Arrest warrants issued for Israeli PM Netanyahu and former defence secretary Gallant and senior Hamas commander over alleged war crimes

Arrest warrants have been issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence secretary Yoav Gallant and a senior Hamas commander by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Thales faces bribery and corruption investigation

An investigation is under way into the France-based defence company Thales for suspected bribery and corruption, the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has announced.
Dylan Thomas found guilty of murdering 'best friend' on Christmas Eve in Cardiff

A man has been found guilty of murdering his "best friend" on Christmas Eve.
Hussam Al Ramli: Man arrested in Wolverhampton as part of major European people smuggling sting

A man connected with one of Europe's most significant people smuggling rings has been arrested in Wolverhampton.
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro among 37 people facing charges of attempting coup

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro is among more than 30 people facing charges of allegedly attempting a coup after his electoral defeat in 2022.
Environment secretary Steve Reed tells farmers it is 'hard to be sorry for trying to make UK's economy work'

Environment secretary Steve Reed said it is "hard to be sorry for trying to make the country's economy work" as he spoke to farmers for the first time since the budget.
Volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupts for seventh time in a year

A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland has erupted for the seventh time since December, prompting evacuation orders.
NHS was within 'six or seven hours' of running out of PPE in first COVID wave, says Matt Hancock

Some hospitals in England were within "six or seven hours" of running out of personal protective equipment in the early stages of the COVID pandemic, a former health secretary has admitted.