The cryptocurrency industry’s flair for the dramatic has reached new heights as TRON founder Justin Sun has acquired Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial artwork “Comedian” – infamously known simply as ‘The Banana’ – for a staggering $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. Yes, it’s literally a banana taped to a wall.
Sun, a central and often controversial figure in the crypto space, has built a reputation for grabbing headlines since founding the TRON blockchain platform in 2017. Currently serving as Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, Sun has become known for his bold moves in both the digital asset space and traditional markets.
The final price, which includes $1 million in auction house fees, far exceeded Sotheby’s pre-sale estimates of $1-1.5 million. In what could only happen in the contemporary art world, the auction turned into a six-minute spectacle of escalating bids, starting at $800,000.
After over 6 minutes of heated bidding, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's and Chairman of Sotheby's China, Jen Hua, placed the winning bid for ‘Comedian’ on behalf of @justinsuntron, Chinese collector and founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON. https://t.co/Vf6kMoHfOQ
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) November 21, 2024
The auctioneer even threw in banana-themed puns, warning bidders not to “let it slip away” to groaning audience members as Sun outbid six other contenders.
Taking to social media platform X on November 21, Sun framed his purchase as more than just an expensive piece of fruit. The blockchain entrepreneur positioned the piece as a bridge between art, meme culture, and cryptocurrency communities, suggesting it would spark future discussions and secure its place in history.
Well played ser. Welcome to the Banana Zone!
— Raoul Pal (@RaoulGMI) November 21, 2024
What exactly did Sun buy for $6.2 million? Technically, a certificate of authenticity and installation instructions. The physical banana itself can be replaced when it rots, and the duct tape can be renewed as needed – essentially meaning Sun has paid millions for the right to perpetually tape fresh bananas to a wall.
In an unexpected twist that adds another layer to the performance art aspect, Sun has declared his intention to eat the banana himself. This would make him the third person to consume the artwork. The piece has a peculiar history of being eaten – first by artist David Datuna following its $120,000 sale at Miami Art Basel in 2019, and later by a hungry student who missed breakfast during the work’s exhibition at a Seoul museum in 2023. Neither incident resulted in legal consequences, as the banana could simply be replaced.
Whether this latest move proves to be madness or marketing genius, one thing is certain: Sun has once again managed to place himself at the center of a story that perfectly captures the intersection of crypto wealth, art world excess, and internet culture.
Featured Image via X
