Cattelan’s $1.5M Banana: Art or Absurdity?
Can you imagine a banana stuck on the wall with duct tape being auctioned for $1.5 million? This provocative piece, titled “Comedian” by Maurizio Cattelan, is set to challenge the boundaries of art and value at Sotheby’s contemporary art auction on November 20. Initially unveiled at the 2019 Art Basel Miami Beach fair, the artwork has sparked debates about the meaning of art and its worth.
Cattelan’s piece consists of a ripe banana attached to a wall with silver duct tape, and though the banana itself is perishable, buyers will receive a certificate of authenticity, allowing them to recreate the installation themselves. This reflects Cattelan’s view that the concept behind the artwork—rather than the object itself—holds the true value.
The artwork has raised questions about how society assigns value to art and critiques the conventional definitions of what constitutes artistic work. Experts suggest that “Comedian” could also be a deeper commentary on global trade, exploitation, and moral complicity, with the banana symbolizing imperialism and labor exploitation.
Despite its lighthearted appearance, the piece has garnered serious attention, and its auction coincides with the sale of a Claude Monet Water Lilies piece valued at $60 million. Sotheby’s contemporary art head, David Galperin, points out the parallel between the two works, noting that even Monet’s impressionism was once considered radical. For Cattelan, “Comedian” might similarly provoke discomfort but also expand the limits of what we consider profound art.
