NEW YORK, USA — The art world was abuzz on Friday, November 29, 2024, as Justin Sun, the collector who purchased Maurizio Cattelan’s viral banana artwork Comedian for $6.24 million, ate the fruit as part of what he called a “unique artistic experience.”
The act marked the latest chapter in the saga of conceptual artwork, which has become a global symbol of art’s interplay with value and culture.
In a video posted on social media, Sun, a Chinese billionaire and cryptocurrency entrepreneur, ceremoniously removed the banana from its duct-taped mount before peeling and consuming it.
“This is not just about eating a banana,” Sun said.
“It’s about experiencing the essence of the artwork and honouring its place in art history.”
He later announced plans to replace the fruit, in line with the artwork’s instructions, preserving its conceptual integrity.
The Legacy of ‘Comedian’
First displayed at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, Comedian became a viral sensation when Cattelan duct-taped a banana to a wall and priced it at six figures.
The work quickly sold out its three editions, sparking heated debates about the value of conceptual art.
One of the original bananas was famously eaten by performance artist David Datuna during its debut, an act he described as “performance art” rather than vandalism.
Since then, Comedian has been exhibited worldwide, with its banana replaced for each installation.
Record-Breaking Sale and Cultural Phenomenon
Sun’s purchase of Comedian at Sotheby’s earlier this week smashed expectations, selling for $6.24 million—far exceeding its $1 million to $1.5 million estimate.
In addition to a certificate of authenticity and installation instructions, Sun received a fresh banana and roll of duct tape.
Describing the work as a “cultural phenomenon,” Sun framed his decision to eat the banana as part of the artistic process.
“This piece bridges the worlds of art, memes, and cryptocurrency,” Sun said.
“Eating the banana was my way of engaging with its conceptual depth.”
A Continued Debate on Value and Art
Cattelan has defended Comedian as a reflection on what society values.
“It’s not a joke,” the artist said in 2021, calling the work “a commentary on value and impermanence.”
Sotheby’s David Galperin echoed this view, stating that the artwork “challenges traditional notions of art and engages audiences in profound ways.”
Sun’s consumption of the banana has reignited the conversation about art’s role in provoking thought and challenging norms.
While some view the act as a continuation of the artwork’s conceptual intent, others question the spectacle surrounding it.
As the banana is replaced and Comedian continues its journey, Sun’s act adds a new layer to the story, cementing its place as a defining piece in the evolving dialogue of contemporary art.
