GOING, GOING, GONE- THE TALE OF THE Duct-TapeD Banana

Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" (2019), a banana duct-taped to a wall, became one of the most viral and controversial works of art in the past decade. Its upcoming auction at Sotheby's is expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million, which raises questions about both the nature of contemporary art and the construction of the art market itself.

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian," a conceptual artwork comprising a banana stuck to a wall with duct tape, is up for auction five years after it sold for $120,000.

courtesy Sotheby’s

1. Contextual Background: The Artist and the Piece

Maurizio Cattelan is known for his provocative and often humorous approach to art, frequently challenging the boundaries of what art can be. "Comedian" exemplifies this spirit, using a simple, everyday object to create a statement about value, commodification, and the absurdity of the art world. When "Comedian" was first exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, it caused an uproar and quickly went viral as a symbol of the absurdism of the contemporary art market. Cattelan described it as "a sincere commentary and a reflection on what we value." The world went bananas for "Comedian," with crowds queuing to see it and media outlets like the New York Post featuring it on their front page with headlines like: "BANANAS! Art world gone mad." The piece had to be removed before the end of the fair due to "uncontrollable crowd movements."

The estimated value of $1 million to $1.5 million for "Comedian" is partly due to Cattelan's established reputation and his history of creating works that stir public conversation. The piece is not just about the banana itself, but the certificate of authenticity and instructions for display that come with it, which grant the buyer the right to recreate the artwork. This conceptual component plays a key role in its valuation. Sotheby's head of contemporary art in the Americas, David Galperin, stated that auctioning the work is the "ultimate realisation of its essential conceptual idea—the public will finally have a say in deciding its true value."

Three editions of "Comedian" were sold at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019 for $120,000 each. It is unclear which of these editions has been consigned to Sotheby's, but the provenance includes notable collectors such as Sarah Andelman and William and Beatrice Cox, who promised to donate their edition to a museum (an edition was later donated anonymously to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York). The popularity of "Comedian" was such that even renowned artist Damien Hirst lamented his inability to acquire one.

The upcoming sale of "Comedian" at Sotheby's The Now and Contemporary auction on 20 November, following its display in major cities worldwide, is one of the flashiest consignments of the season, despite a relatively subdued auction environment. The spectacle surrounding the piece is emblematic of the modern art world's fascination with celebrity, media coverage, and the blurring line between art and spectacle.

2. The Construction of the Art Market

The art market is a complex ecosystem driven by factors like reputation, rarity, and the narratives that artists and galleries build around pieces. High-profile auctions like this one are part spectacle, part economic event, creating an illusion of stability and value. For artists like Cattelan, whose works are already in high demand, the value lies in their brand and ability to generate headlines. However, this kind of valuation is largely inaccessible to early-career artists.

For early-career artists, the sale of "Comedian" is unlikely to have a direct impact on their careers or the valuation of their own work. The art market is stratified, with blue-chip artists like Cattelan operating in a different realm from emerging creators. The high auction prices are often the result of speculative investment, branding, and a collector's desire to own a part of a cultural phenomenon. These dynamics do not typically apply to artists who are just starting out, whose value is built more on community engagement, gallery representation, and the development of a consistent body of work over time.

Conclusion

While Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" continues to capture the public's imagination and draw hefty sums at auction, it is important for emerging artists to recognize that the art market operates on multiple levels. The spectacle of multi-million dollar sales is often disconnected from the day-to-day realities of building a sustainable art practice. Understanding the mechanics of the art market can help artists focus on what truly matters in their early careers—creating meaningful work, building relationships, and establishing their own unique voice.