A contemporary artwork by the esteemed Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has been auctioned for a staggering sum of $6.2 million (€5.8 million) at the prestigious Sotheby's auction house in New York.
However, this provocative piece of art was not an oil painting, a thought-provoking photograph, or a unique sculpture; rather, it was an innovative work of art crafted from a simple, yet unconventional material: a banana.
This particular banana was affixed to a wall using a piece of duct tape.
"This artwork transcends the boundaries of traditional art," asserted the victorious bidder, Justin Sun, a Chinese-born entrepreneur specializing in cryptocurrency.
"It symbolizes a cultural phenomenon that seamlessly merges the realms of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community."
The artwork, titled "Comedian," premiered at the Art Basel show in Miami Beach in 2019, where it sparked considerable debate regarding its classification as art.
Sun, however, sees this controversy as a testament to the artwork's significance.
"I am confident that this piece will inspire further contemplation and dialogue, ultimately securing its place in art history," he stated.
Sun emerged victorious in a bidding war against six other competitors for the banana-adorned piece, which was initially set at a guide price of $1-1.5 million, a price that represents a significant increase from its original valuation of $120,000 five years prior.
It is important to note that the banana acquired by Sun was not five years old; rather, the artwork receives a fresh banana for each exhibition, with this being the third iteration.
The original banana was consumed by performance artist David Datuna, who described his experience as "hungry" while examining it at the Miami exhibition.
Sun, the visionary behind the cryptocurrency exchange Tron, expressed his intention to partake in the experience as well.
"In the days to come, I plan to personally consume the banana as a part of this distinctive artistic journey, paying homage to its role in both art history and popular culture," he declared.
As part of his acquisition, Sun also received a certificate of authenticity that verifies the artwork's creator, Maurizio Cattelan, and instructions on how to replace the banana when it becomes unsuitable for display.
