Today, TRON founder Justin Sun stated that he purchased the iconic work (Comedian) by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan for $6.2 million (NT$201 million).
Although this work is very simple, just a banana taped to the wall, it has become an important page in modern art history due to its unique interpretation of artistic concepts and the huge sensation it caused. Justin Sun stated:
I am pleased to announce that I bought the banana! ... I am happy to tell everyone that I successfully acquired Maurizio Cattelan's iconic work (Comedian) for $6.2 million.
This is not just a piece of art; it also represents a cultural phenomenon that connects the art, meme, and cryptocurrency communities. I believe this article will provoke more thought and discussion in the future and become part of history.
I am honored to be the owner of the banana and look forward to it inspiring further creativity and influence among art lovers around the world.
The artistic concept behind the banana
(Comedian) debuted at Art Basel Miami in 2019. The form of this work is simple and straightforward: a banana taped to the wall, and if the banana goes bad, it must be replaced. Artist Maurizio Cattelan emphasizes that true art lies in the 'concept,' not the object itself.
During the past exhibition, performance artist David Datuna also caused a sensation by taking down and eating the exhibited banana on the spot. The gallery quickly replaced it with another banana.
In fact, in 2019, this work was auctioned at Sotheby's and sold for $120,000, sparking a heated discussion on social media at the time. Last month, the market estimated this auction would be between $1 million and $1.5 million, but unexpectedly today Justin Sun bought it for $6.2 million at 4 to 6 times the price.
This auction at Sotheby's was the second version out of three, and at that time all three versions were sold, with one of them currently donated to the Guggenheim Museum.
Netizens are watching, and BAN continues to fall.
Netizens joked: 'It really is a matter of spending money wisely!' 'Sun is cutting leeks to buy bananas', 'Next time I'll send you banana leaves!' Some also pointed out that the core of this work lies in documenting people's pursuit of sensation and attention, not just a banana.
On the other hand, the meme coin BAN, which was ignited by this event on the SOL chain, has continued to decline after reaching its peak on the 18th, reporting $0.1676 before the deadline, as its popularity seems to have passed.
