The Duct-Taped Banana: A $6. 2M Art Mystery

Ever heard of a banana duct-taped to a wall selling for $6. 2M? That's exactly what happened at Sotheby's New York. The piece, called "Comedian" by Maurizio Cattelan, sparked a seven-minute bidding war and sold for a whopping $6. 2M—far more than its estimated $1M to $1. 5M value. A Chinese collector, Justin Sun, outbid online competitors to secure the unique artwork. The banana, attached with silver duct tape, has been a hot topic since its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019. It's been eaten twice while on display, yet it remains a symbol of both art-market excess and its own absurdity. Sun plans to eat the banana himself, adding another layer to its story. Sotheby's accepted cryptocurrency for the sale, and Sun paid using crypto, though the specific currency isn't known. The lot includes a roll of duct tape, a banana sourced from the fruit stand outside Sotheby's, and a certificate of authenticity. Cattelan described the work as a commentary on value, and it quickly became the fair's most popular object before being taken down due to crowd concerns. Three editions were sold initially, with one going to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.