Cattelan's $120,000 Banana Stirs Controversy at Art Basel Miami Beach
At Art Basel Miami Beach, Maurizio Cattelan's sculpture Comedian—a banana duct-taped to a wall—became a viral sensation. The work, priced at $120,000 per edition, was presented by Galerie Perrotin. Cattelan previously used similar duct-tape techniques on gallerists Massimo De Carlo and Emmanuel Perrotin. Performance artist David Datuna removed and ate the banana, facing no legal action. Richard Leydier critiques the piece as cynical, comparing it to ready-mades and questioning the art world's dynamics. He notes Cattelan's Instagram account and contrasts his work with Gianni Motti's humor. The incident sparked media coverage, including a New York Post headline declaring the art world insane.
Key facts
- Maurizio Cattelan's Comedian is a banana duct-taped to a wall.
- The work was presented at Art Basel Miami Beach by Galerie Perrotin.
- Each edition was priced at $120,000.
- Cattelan previously duct-taped gallerists Massimo De Carlo and Emmanuel Perrotin.
- Performance artist David Datuna ate the banana without legal repercussions.
- The work went viral, drawing crowds for selfies.
- Richard Leydier wrote a critical opinion piece for artpress.
- The New York Post ran the headline 'The art world has gone mad.'
Entities
Artists
- Maurizio Cattelan
- David Datuna
- Gianni Motti
- Rirkrit Tiravanija
- Cy Twombly
Institutions
- Galerie Perrotin
- Art Basel Miami Beach
- artpress
- New York Post
Locations
- Miami Beach
- United States
- New York
Sources
- artpress —