In December 2019, Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian captivated the world in its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach. Comprised of a banana fastened with duct tape to a wall, the artwork quickly erupted into a viral global sensation that left a lasting impact on the contemporary cultural consciousness.
Its initial appearance drew record crowds, divided viewers and critics alike, and caused such pandemonium that it had to be removed from the premises before the end of the fair. Widely venerated, and hotly contested – and eaten not only once, but twice – the work headlined news stories shared around the world. Skyrocketing to art historical infamy and universal recognition in an instant, no other artwork from the twenty-first century has provoked controversy, sparked imagination, and upended the very definition of contemporary art like Cattelan’s Comedian.
Estimated at $1-1.5 million, Sotheby’s will offer Comedian at auction for the first time as a highlight of The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction this November in New York. The work will take to the global stage, kicking off with a one-day exhibition this Monday, 28 October in New York, followed by a world tour including London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, before returning to New York for exhibition ahead of the auction on 20 November.
Main Image: Maurizio Cattelan, Comedian
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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