When Tron blockchain founder Justin Sun said, “I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history,” about the artwork casually called ‘The Banana,’ he wasn’t joking. We know that now, as the tycoon spent a staggering $6.2 million on Maurizio Cattelan’s duct-taped banana art, aptly titled Comedian.
Naturally, the Chinese businessman paid in crypto. The piece debuted at the 2019 Art Basel fair in Miami, where it sold for $120,000, and the sensation surrounding the banana has never died down; if anything, it has only grown. Proof? The bidding for Comedian started at $800,000 and ended with Sun snagging the fruit for $6.2 million.
Contrary to expectations that Sun would be the only one interested in the “monkey’s delight,” there were actually seven bidders keen on taking home the world’s most expensive fruit, perhaps to whip up a record-breaking smoothie. Some even donned banana-themed T-shirts to the sale and filmed their bids for posterity. While they didn’t win the highly discussed Tropical Torch, it must have been thrilling to be so close to Maurizio Cattelan’s witty yet thought-provoking work. It would’ve been amazing if this was the original banana from 2019, miraculously preserved without rotting.
However, the artwork comes with a set of instructions for replacing the banana when it inevitably spoils, reinforcing its fleeting nature. Still, the allure of Comedian, also known as ‘The Banana,’ won’t go unconsumed, literally. Sun confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that he will eat the banana, saying, “In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture.” The world will watch with innate curiosity as the multi-million-dollar banana, price-wise, practically an elixir, is devoured. Will it taste any sweeter because of its jaw-dropping value?
Perhaps that’s a question better answered by fellow Chinese art collector Liu Yiqian, who made headlines first by swiping his Amex Centurion to buy a $36-million “Chicken Cup” and then by casually sipping tea from the rare and revered Chenghua-era relic.
Many had expected him to treat the holy grail of ceramics with more reverence.
In comparison, Comedian is a much more playful take on art. That doesn’t mean Sun is playing around, he’s a serious collector with works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Alberto Giacometti in his portfolio.
What floored him about Comedian was the idea behind it, a concept where the message outweighs the visuals. When he saw a Sotheby’s video about the Banana’s resale, he knew it had to be his. Now, Sun owns the infamous artwork, which he calls eternal in its own way. “As long as you own the banana, you’re part of an artwork that’s evolving,” he said. It seems bananas are set to become an irreplaceable part of his diet going forward.
