Bangladeshi fruit seller left in tears after learning his 35-cent banana was duct-taped to a wall & auctioned for $6.2M
A New York fruit vendor, Shah Alam, unknowingly sold a banana that became part of Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual artwork Comedian, which recently sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby's. Alam, who struggles to make ends meet, was heartbroken to learn his 35-cent banana played a role in such a lucrative sale while he got nothing.
A fruit vendor in New York City recently found himself at the center of an art-world controversy. Shah Alam, a 74-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant, unknowingly provided a banana for a conceptual art piece titled 'Comedian' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan that went on to sell for an astounding $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction and now, he isn't too happy.
'Comedian' first gained notoriety at Art Basel Miami in 2019, where it was exhibited as a banana duct-taped to a wall.
The piece is a critique of the art market's excesses, with its value tied to the hype and money it attracts.
The recent sale at Sotheby's saw the taped banana fetch $5.2 million, with an additional $1 million in auction fees. The buyer? A Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur named Justin Sun.
"This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history," he wrote on X.
I¡¯m thrilled to announce that I¡¯ve bought the banana? !!! @SpaceX @Sothebys I am Justin Sun, and I¡¯m excited to share that I have successfully acquired Maurizio Cattelan¡¯s iconic work, Comedian for $6.2 million. This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon¡ pic.twitter.com/lAj1RE6y0C
¡ª H.E. Justin Sun ? (@justinsuntron) November 21, 2024
Cattelan explained the deeper meaning of the piece to The Times: "The higher the price, the more it reinforces its original concept."
The banana must be replaced regularly to maintain the artwork's appearance.
Banana seller is devastated
Alam, who sells fruit outside Sotheby's for $12 an hour, was unaware of the banana's newfound fame until a journalist informed him.
The news left him in tears. "I am a poor man," he said, struggling to comprehend how a 35-cent banana could sell for millions.
The New York Post reports that Alam lives in a cramped basement in the Bronx and supports himself with long hours at his fruit stand, enduring all weather conditions.
Despite the public outcry over Alam's situation, Cattelan expressed empathy but stopped short of offering assistance. "Art, by its nature, does not solve problems¡ªif it did, it would be politics," he stated.
But later, Sun took to X to share that he will be buying 100,000 bananas from Shah Alam to express his gratitude.
To thank Mr. Shah Alam, I¡¯ve decided to buy 100,000 bananas from his stand in New York's Upper East Side. These bananas will be distributed free worldwide through his stand. Show a valid ID to claim one banana, while supplies last. https://t.co/jbCnh0u3JI
¡ª H.E. Justin Sun ? (@justinsuntron) November 28, 2024
"These bananas will be distributed free worldwide through his stand. Show a valid ID to claim one banana, while supplies last."
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Srishti B Dutta brings you everything from rags-to-riches tales and inspiring student success stories to those "No way, this can't be real!" moments. Whether it's intriguing, heartwarming, or just plain quirky, she's got it covered.
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