In what can only be described as a bizarre intersection of art, money, and food, a man recently ate a banana he bought for nearly £5 million. This outrageous snack choice has sparked conversations around the globe about the value of conceptual art and the absurdity of extravagant purchases. But how did a simple fruit end up costing millions? Let’s break it down.
The Origins of the £5 Million Banana
To understand how a banana could be sold for an eye-watering £5 million, we need to take a trip to Manhattan. Shah Alam, a 74-year-old fruit seller, has a modest fruit stand near the iconic Sotheby’s auction house. Normally, Alam sells bananas for a modest 20p each, or 79p a bunch. But one particular banana, purchased by a wealthy buyer, was about to make history.
That banana became the focal point of an art installation by Maurizio Cattelan, an Italian artist known for his provocative works. The piece, called “COMEDIAN,” involved simply taping the banana to a wall using duct tape. While this might sound trivial to most, Cattelan’s piece sparked a debate about the nature of art itself—what makes something valuable? Is it the artist, the concept, or the sheer absurdity of the work?
Cattelan’s “COMEDIAN”: The Controversial Art Piece That Started It All
This isn’t the first time Maurizio Cattelan has used food to create a statement. In previous years, he famously sold taped bananas for significant sums at auctions. At Art Basel Miami in 2019, a similar banana was sold three times before performance artist David Datuna peeled it off the wall and ate it, further emphasizing the absurdity and unpredictability of conceptual art.
This time, however, the auction for Cattelan’s banana artwork took things to another level. The bidding began at $800,000 (£630,000) and quickly escalated, eventually reaching a staggering $6.2 million (approximately £5 million). The buyer? Justin Sun, a Chinese-born cryptocurrency mogul, known for making bold, high-profile purchases.
Justin Sun and the £5 Million Banana: A Historic Consumption
After purchasing the banana, Sun promised that he would eat it. And so, with a crowd of reporters and art enthusiasts watching in Hong Kong, he did just that. In what can only be described as an art world spectacle, Sun peeled the £5 million banana and tasted it, declaring it to be “much better than other bananas.” While his statement might sound like a joke, the reality is that this act itself was a part of the art’s narrative.
This is apparently art. More specifically it’s a banana duct taped to a wall that was sold for an obscene price. (John Nacion/Getty Images)
The performance—consuming the banana—was not just about enjoying a snack, but about making a statement. By eating the fruit, Sun became part of the artwork’s history. In the eyes of Cattelan and many art critics, Sun’s consumption was an integral part of the piece’s ongoing journey, a living testament to the bizarre world of conceptual art.
The Surreal World of Conceptual Art: What Makes Art Valuable?
Cattelan’s work raises an important question: What makes art valuable? Is it the materials used, the emotional impact, or simply the price tag? The concept behind “COMEDIAN” challenges traditional ideas of what constitutes art. After all, a banana and some tape are hardly the materials that most would associate with masterpieces. Yet, Cattelan’s work has shown us that art is more about the idea than the object itself.
Some argue that the value of this art lies in its commentary on modern society and consumerism. The sheer absurdity of spending millions on a piece that’s meant to be eaten highlights how art can be manipulated for profit. It’s a reflection of how society often equates value with rarity or status rather than intrinsic worth.
The Emotional Reaction of Shah Alam: A Fruit Seller’s Perspective
While the world marveled at the £5 million banana, Shah Alam, the fruit vendor who sold the banana, had an emotional reaction. When he was informed of the banana’s hefty auction price, he was overwhelmed with disbelief. Alam, a humble seller who has never seen such amounts of money, was moved to tears. “I am a poor man. I have never had this kind of money; I have never seen this kind of money,” he said.
Alam’s reaction underscores an important aspect of this entire situation: the divide between the world of high art and the everyday realities of working people. While Sun, Cattelan, and others in the art world celebrated this monumental sale, Alam’s life remained unchanged. He continued to run his modest fruit stall, unaware that his banana would become part of a multi-million-dollar transaction.
Cattelan’s Thoughts on Art and the Banana Vendor
In response to Alam’s emotional reaction, Cattelan expressed his own thoughts about art’s role in society. He said, “The reaction of the banana vendor moves me deeply, underscoring how art can resonate in unexpected and profound ways. However, art, by its nature, does not solve problems—if it did, it would be politics.”
This comment highlights the often paradoxical nature of art. While it can provoke deep emotional responses and intellectual discourse, it doesn’t necessarily solve any of the pressing issues facing the world. Instead, it offers a mirror to society, reflecting our values, absurdities, and contradictions.
The Banana’s Legacy: From Art Basel to Hong Kong and Beyond
Interestingly, Justin Sun’s consumption of the £5 million banana is not an isolated event. In 2019, another similar banana taped to a wall at Art Basel Miami was consumed by David Datuna, further adding to the banana’s legacy as an art object. After Datuna peeled the fruit off the wall, gallery officials simply replaced it, claiming that the banana was merely an “idea” rather than a tangible object.
What makes Cattelan’s banana art so captivating is its transient nature. The piece doesn’t exist in a permanent form. The banana is eaten, decays, and disappears, yet the idea—the concept—remains in the minds of those who witnessed it. The fruit itself may be gone, but its impact on the art world will be long-lasting.
Conclusion: The Price of Art in a World Obsessed with Value
The £5 million banana is a clear example of the absurdity that can arise when art meets the high-stakes world of luxury and investment. What began as a simple piece of fruit sold at a street vendor’s stall has transformed into an expensive cultural statement. While some may find the entire spectacle ridiculous, others will argue that this is exactly what makes conceptual art so powerful.
In the end, the question remains: what is the true value of art? Is it defined by the price someone is willing to pay, or is it found in the emotional or intellectual response it provokes? As the banana fades into history, it’s clear that the boundaries of art—and the prices we attach to it—are more flexible than ever.
