A piece of art history was made in 2019 when a seemingly ordinary banana duct-taped to a wall was sold for an astonishing $120,000. The artwork, named "Comedian" by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sparked a frenzy on social media and reignited the age-old debate on the essence of art.

Fast forward to a Sotheby's auction in New York, and one of the three editions of this viral artwork exceeded all expectations by selling for a staggering $6.24 million, far surpassing its pre-auction estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million, with bidding starting at $800,000. Auctioneer Oliver Barker, in his description of the piece, referred to it as "iconic" and "disruptive,"

humorously noting that selling a banana was not something he ever anticipated saying. The buyer, Justin Sun, a Chinese collector and the founder of a cryptocurrency platform, revealed that he acquired the artwork, stating in a press release, "This is not just an artwork; it symbolizes a cultural phenomenon that connects the realms of art, internet culture, and the cryptocurrency community. I am confident that this piece will provoke further thought and conversation and will become a part of history." As part of his purchase, Sun received a roll of duct tape, a banana, a certificate of authenticity, and official installation instructions. It's worth noting that neither the tape nor the banana are the original items used in the artwork's creation.

Sotheby's clarified that "Comedian" is a conceptual artwork, and the physical materials are replaced with each new installation, as per the artist's instructions. The original artwork was crafted using a banana purchased from a Miami grocery store, and the gallery confirmed that it could be replaced. The art world was divided over the merits of the piece, but some critics saw it as part of the rich lineage of conceptual works that question the very value of art, dating back to Marcel Duchamp's iconic mounted urinal. Crowds flocked to see the viral installation, and the situation took an unexpected turn when performance artist David Datuna removed the banana from the wall, peeling and eating it in front of a shocked audience. Datuna defended his action as an artistic performance, not an act of vandalism. The Miami installation was later removed due to public safety concerns, but all three editions were sold at the fair, with two being purchased by private collectors for $120,000 each, and the third for an undisclosed higher sum, which was later donated to The Guggenheim museum in New York.

In interviews following the Miami installation, Cattelan described "Comedian" as a commentary piece. Speaking to the Art Newspaper in 2021, he stated that it was "not a joke," calling the viral installation "a reflection on what we value." Known for his satirical works that challenge popular culture, Cattelan did not respond to requests for comment when the auction was announced in October. David Galperin, Sotheby's head of contemporary art for the Americas, described "Comedian" as a "defiant work of pure genius" in a press release announcing the sale. He added, "Balancing profound critical thought and subversive wit, this is a defining work for the artist and for our generation. If at its core, 'Comedian' questions the very notion of the value of art, then putting the work at auction… will be the ultimate realization of its essential conceptual idea — the public will finally have a say in deciding its true value."

While this marked the first time "Comedian" was auctioned, the artwork was recently exhibited at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, where it was also eaten. An art student from Seoul National University removed the fruit and consumed it, then taped the peel back to the wall, stating he did so because he was hungry. The museum later replaced the eaten banana with a fresh one. Sun, in the press release of the auction, also mentioned his intention to eat the fruit, saying, "Additionally, 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." Sotheby's exhibited the artwork in various cities including New York, London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles prior to the sale.

The sale of "Comedian" has not only made headlines but also sparked a global conversation about the nature of art and its value. It challenges the traditional notions of what constitutes art and invites the public to participate in the discourse surrounding the worth of such pieces. The artwork's journey from a simple fruit to a million-dollar piece of art is a testament to the power of conceptual art and the impact it can have on the art world and beyond. As the debate continues, "Comedian" stands as a symbol of the evolving dialogue on art, its value, and the role of the audience in defining it.