Going bananas: Maurizio Cattelan’s viral duct-taped fruit heads to auction

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Maurizio Cattelan’s provocative duct-taped banana will go under the hammer at...

Wait. Poor choice of words. The duct-taped banana will be auctioned intact and not smashed under a gavel at Sotheby’s in New York on 20 November.

Better.

The Italian visual artist, known for his hyperrealistic sculptures and satirical approach to art, titled his piece "Comedian" and has explained, quite seriously, that it is “a sincere commentary and a reflection on what we value.”

It was first shown at Art Basel Miami in 2019 and was the subject of derision, as well as fascination. And hungry stomachs, as "Comedian" was torn off the wall and eaten. Twice. The artwork was later replaced by fresh bananas.

“If at its core, Comedian questions the very notion of the value of art, then putting the work at auction this November will be the ultimate realization of its essential conceptual idea — the public will finally have a say in deciding its true value,” said David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art in the Americas, who described "Comedian" as “a defiant work of pure genius."

Sotheby’s has already estimated its value - between $1 million and $1.5 million (€924,000 and €1.4 million).

The buyer of the work will receive a certificate of authenticity rather than the fruit itself.

Before the auction on 20 November, the piece will tour in major cities including London, Paris, Milan, Dubai, Tokyo, and then back to New York.