Chinese Crypto mogul pays $6.2M for iconic art piece- banana duct-taped to a wall

Arguably the most recognized artwork of the last decade has found a new owner.Comedian, a sculpture by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan made of a banana duct taped to a wall, sold for US$6.2 million at Sotheby's in New York after more than six minutes of intense bidding.The auction house revealed that the buyer was Justin Sun, a Chinese Bitcoin entrepreneur.?

Duct-taped banana had a presale estimate of US$1 million to US$1.5 million

The work, which is one of three, plus two artist's proofs, had a presale estimate of US$1 million to US$1.5 million, but advance rumour anticipated - correctly, as it turned out - that it would sell for several times that amount.

The piece launched at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, where it was placed at the Perrotin gallery's stand. It quickly generated a stir, with crowds forming so densely that the gallery was obliged to remove it for crowd control.?

All three works in the edition sold for between US$120,000 and $150,000. One was later donated to the Guggenheim, while the other two remain in private ownership.

Cattelan's duct-taped banana quickly became a popular meme around the world??

Cattelan's duct-taped banana quickly became a popular meme around the world. It made the first page of the New York Post with the headline "Bananas!", celebrities talked about it on social media, and it was adapted into caps, knockoffs, and other goods.

Many in the art world regard it to be a valid work of fine art.?

Also read:?South Korean Art Student Eats $120,000 Banana Art Installation Because He Was Hungry

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