Maurizio Cattelan, one of contemporary art’s most provocative and humorous voices, has again captured global attention with his artwork Comedian, a single banana duct-taped to a wall. Originally debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, the work quickly became a sensation, sparking widespread discussion about the nature of art, value, and humour. As Sotheby’s prepares to auction an edition of Comedian on 20 November 2024, estimated to fetch between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 USD, it’s worth revisiting the story of this iconic artwork.
Maurizio Cattelan: A Profile in Wit and Subversion
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan is renowned for his conceptual and often controversial artworks. Known for a distinctly satirical approach, Cattelan has repeatedly challenged social norms and questioned authority through his creations. His works often blend dark humour and irony with sharp critiques of society, as seen in The Ninth Hour, which depicts a meteorite striking Pope John Paul II. With Comedian, Cattelan turned his eye to the art market itself, highlighting the absurdity often associated with the value and status of modern art.
Sculpture of Cattelan's finger in front of the Milan Stock Exchange. The Milan Stock Exchange building in Piazza Affari with the work of Maurizio Cattelan. Taken from Shutterstock.
The 2019 Debut of Comedian at Art Basel
When Comedian made its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2019, it quickly became one of the most talked-about artworks of the year. Consisting of nothing more than a fresh banana affixed to a wall with duct tape, the piece seemed almost comically simple. However, it struck a nerve, selling swiftly: the first two editions sold for $120,000 each, while a third edition was priced at $150,000 and reportedly went to a buyer linked to the Guggenheim Museum.
Onlookers flocked to view the artwork, intrigued by its simplicity and seemingly ludicrous price tag. Yet, the piece carried a deeper meaning that resonated with the public and art critics alike. Cattelan’s banana raised questions about art’s permanence and value. With a banana that would inevitably rot, buyers weren’t just purchasing an object; they were investing in a concept, an idea that would need to be recreated and replaced over time.
Interpreting Comedian: Satire and the Art of the Everyday
The title Comedian hints at the playful spirit behind the work. Cattelan isn’t presenting a masterpiece with Comedian; he’s presenting a challenge. By choosing an everyday item—a banana—and affixing it to a wall, Cattelan mocks the art market and dares audiences to question why art has value. Can art simply be about “being there,” or is it more about the discussion it generates?
Through Comedian, Cattelan draws attention to the transient nature of art. The banana, destined to decay, suggests the impermanence of life itself. But by taping it to the wall, the artist hints at a futile attempt to preserve something inherently ephemeral. It also raises questions about the audience’s role in creating meaning: is art valuable because it provokes thought and emotion, or because someone is willing to pay for it?
The Comedian saga continued beyond its initial sale. In a memorable act of performance art, New York-based artist David Datuna took the artwork’s humour one step further by eating the banana during the show, declaring it an act of “artistic consumption.” His stunt underscored the piece’s themes of impermanence and audience interaction, drawing additional media attention. In 2023, South Korean student Noh Huyn-soo performed a similar action at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, eating the banana and then taping the peel back onto the wall, highlighting how Comedian continues to invite new interpretations and playful performances.
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's ‘Comedian’. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s and The Artist
Sotheby’s Auction: A $1.5 Million Banana?
On 20 November 2024, Sotheby’s will auction one edition of Comedian at their New York The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction. Expected to fetch between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 USD, the piece is on a pre-auction tour across ten global cities, building anticipation and reigniting debates about value in contemporary art. The winning bidder will receive a fresh banana, a roll of duct tape, a certificate of authenticity, and official installation instructions. Notably, neither the banana nor the tape in this edition are the originals from 2019, reinforcing the artwork’s transient nature.
The Legacy of Comedian
Comedian has carved out an enduring place in modern art history, much like the work of Banksy or Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, both of whom similarly questioned the role of the artist and the value of art. Through Comedian, Cattelan satirically asks viewers to think about what gives art meaning, what determines value, and whether the essence of art can be captured in something as mundane as a piece of fruit. It also asks how far people are willing to go in the name of art—whether by paying six figures for a banana or consuming it in front of an audience.
As Comedian heads to Sotheby’s auction block, it not only stands as a reminder of art’s potential to question norms but also of its power to create unforgettable, shared experiences. Whether loved, mocked, or eaten, Comedian is undeniably a cultural icon that has left its mark on the art world and beyond.
