A simple experimental art piece consisting of a banana attached to the wall with duct tape is expected to fetch over $1 million at auction this week.
Sotheby’s will auction off artist Maurizio Cattelan’s conceptual art piece “Comedian” on Wednesday, and experts expect it to attract expensive bids. While the artwork consists of only a ripe yellow banana taped to the wall with duct tape, Sotheby’s expects it to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million.
If “Comedian” does go for over $1 million, it would be more than eight times its original sale price. The piece debuted in 2019, selling for just over $120,000 and sparking debate online and in the art world.
While the piece may be funny to some, Mr. Cattelan has rejected commentary that it’s meant as a joke. In 2021, he told The Art Newspaper that the taped banana was a “sincere commentary and reflection on what we value.”
Mr. Cattelan has a history of producing viral artwork. He previously drew the ire of the art world and conservatives with 2016’s “American,” a solid gold toilet. The piece was installed in one of the bathrooms at New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum for visitors to use.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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