By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-21 16:57:56 | Updated at 2024-11-24 15:18:19
2 days ago
Duct-taped banana sells again at auction — for $6.2 million
Channel 3000 News/AP ^ | November 21, 2024 | AP Staff
Posted on 11/21/2024 8:53:52 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
A piece of conceptual art consisting of a simple banana, duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at an auction in New York on Wednesday, with the winning bid coming from a prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur.
"Comedian," by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was a phenomenon when it debuted in 2019 at Art Basel Miami Beach, as festivalgoers tried to make out whether the single yellow piece of fruit affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape was a joke or cheeky commentary on questionable standards among art collectors. At one point, another artist took the banana off the wall and ate it. The piece attracted so much attention that it had to be withdrawn from view. But three editions sold for between $120,000 and $150,000, according to the gallery handling sales at the time.
Five years later, Justin Sun, founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, has now paid more than 40 times that higher price point at the Sotheby's auction. Or, more accurately, Sun purchased a certificate of authenticity that gives him the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it "Comedian."
The piece attracted heavy attention at the busy auction at Sotheby's, with attendees in the crowded room holding up phones to take photos as two handlers wearing white gloves stood at both sides of the banana.
(Excerpt) Read more at channel3000.com ...
TOPICS: History; Hobbies; Society; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: art; auction; banana; stupidity
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
To: Diana in Wisconsin
I figured inflation was bad but wow.
2 posted on 11/21/2024 8:55:52 AM PST by Orosius (“Wake America Up Again )
To: Diana in Wisconsin
I think I could do a reasonable forgery for a couple of bucks.
3 posted on 11/21/2024 8:56:17 AM PST by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
To: Diana in Wisconsin
4 posted on 11/21/2024 8:56:47 AM PST by Frank Drebin (And don't ever let me catch you guys in America!)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
