Justin Sun, the entrepreneur behind Tron
The piece, titled Comedian by Maurizio Cattelan, consists of a real banana attached to a wall with duct tape. Sun, however, intends to make this purchase even more unconventional by consuming the banana himself.
Sun shared his plans through a post on X, emphasizing the artwork’s significance beyond its simplicity. “This is not just an artwork”, Sun explained. “It represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community”.
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The piece itself, despite its temporary materials, comes with a set of instructions for replacing the banana and tape as needed, as well as a certificate authenticating its status as Comedian. Essentially, buyers pay for the concept and the documentation rather than the physical banana and tape.
The auction, hosted by Sotheby’s, saw competition over the artwork. Bidding began at $800,000 but quickly escalated, with the final price exceeding four times its initial estimate of $1–$1.5 million.
Sun secured the winning bid at $5.2 million, with an additional $1 million in fees. Throughout the process, the auctioneer lightened the mood with banana-related puns, urging participants to keep the work from "slipping away".
Sun’s plan to eat the banana adds to the legacy of Comedian. If he follows through, he will join a short list of individuals who have consumed the artwork as part of its artistic narrative.
In the same post, he revealed his intention to personally eat the banana. He said:
I will personally eat the banana🍌 as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture. Stay tuned!
The intersection of art and creativity continues to push boundaries in unexpected ways. Recently, McDonald's McCafé teamed up with Doodles to infuse digital art into coffee culture, blending non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with the morning brew. How does this partnership bring excitement to coffee lovers? Read the full story.
