Selfridges’ Post

Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” — yep, the banana duct-taped to a wall — just sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby’s. Let that sink in. A banana. With duct tape. Millions. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the banana (or the tape). It’s about the conversation it starts. Art can take the simplest stuff—literally grocery-store produce—and turn it into something that makes us pause, laugh, argue, or think. And honestly? That’s something we all can do. Maybe not duct-tape-a-banana-and-sell-it-for-millions kind of creativity, but we can bring our own spin to whatever we do. So, what’s your “banana”? What’s the ordinary thing you’re turning into something extraordinary? Let’s hear it! 🍌🎨 #Creativity #JustForFun #BananaTalk #Perspective #PowerToCreate #Artistry #Creativity

This is just bananas. The story of Comedian, the infamous artwork by Maurizio Cattelan, revolves around a banana duct-taped to a wall, which has sparked global debate about the meaning and value of contemporary art. Originally unveiled at Art Basel Miami in 2019, Comedian sold in editions priced between $120,000 and $150,000. Buyers received a certificate of authenticity and instructions for its reinstallation, emphasizing the conceptual nature of the work rather than its physical components. The artwork is a satirical commentary on the art market, challenging what constitutes art and why it holds value. The banana itself, being a perishable item, underscores themes of impermanence and absurdity. Notably, the piece gained further attention when performance artists ate the banana on display, turning the act into part of the artwork’s legacy. In 2024, Comedian made headlines again as Sotheby’s prepared to auction another edition, estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million. It sold for 6.2. The buyer will receive a new banana, duct tape, and a certificate of authenticity, reiterating that the artwork’s value lies in its idea rather than its physical form. This controversial piece continues to provoke discussions about consumerism, the role of the audience, and the boundaries of art itself. #art #banana #sothebys #comedian #priorities https://lnkd.in/djK7ZS-P

It's an Idea on Sale: How a $1 Banana 🍌 Became Worth $1 Million" 💰 Walk into any supermarket, and you can pick up a banana for less than a dollar. But what if that banana were duct-taped to a wall? That’s not your average fruit – that’s "Comedian", a conceptual artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which stunned the art world in 2019. Debuting at Art Basel Miami Beach, "Comedian" features a banana affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape. It sounds simple enough, right? But it wasn’t just the banana that made this piece famous—it was the idea behind it. The concept of art, value, and perception took center stage as this ‘ordinary’ banana was sold for prices between $120,000 and $150,000. In a twist of fate, one of the bananas was even eaten by a performance artist during the exhibition. A backup banana was brought in, and the crowds just couldn’t get enough. The piece was eventually withdrawn, but the intrigue didn’t end there. Now, "Comedian" is valued at $1 million to $1.5 million at Sotheby’s upcoming auction. But here’s the kicker: the banana is long gone. What buyers will actually be purchasing is the right to reproduce the artwork as an original. The power of this sale isn’t about the object, but the idea it represents—proving that sometimes, the most valuable thing you can sell is not the product itself, but the concept. This incredible story isn’t just about a banana; it’s a powerful lesson in the art of storytelling, perception, and value. In business, just as in art, it’s not always what you sell, but how you sell it that can transform something ordinary into something extraordinary. #Art #Creativity #BusinessStrategy #Marketing #Innovation #Sothebys #ArtAuction https://lnkd.in/gZXJpqZe

This was one of those things I spoke to artists, gallerists, and collectors about. Many felt great about trajectory and the collecting investment of many of the world’s dope emerging artists. I often wondered if things were happening too fast, with the world (not just the art world) becoming familiar with these artists to where they become kitchen conversation like a #CarrieMaeWeems, a #Basquiat, or a #BisaButler. Instead, the climb feels like a fall for many, with loads of collectors pulling out investments of artists citing everything from declining markets all the way to political views. The market is a very nasty and shifty place and as the article read, changes it’s face quickly in the #UltraContemporary art scene - where some of the largest gains and inflated asking prices have lived since about 2018 or maybe even earlier. I truly believe that great work will always prevail and sometimes all it takes is time for it to come back into favor. I mean, they “find” an artist every year that has been forgotten about by the market. A few artists have asked how can they prevent this happening to them and I’ve had them look at the process of @njidekaakunyilicrosby who doesn’t overproduce work. That allows her market to remain stable throughout turbulence, it also allows collectors to feel secure knowing they have something limited and special. Flooding the market with availability can be detrimental for artists as it could make your practice seem like a factory and not 1 of 1. Thus, hurting market value and immediate desire. Do you think market will recover for younger artists or has their time past? https://lnkd.in/gU836tWu #artabovereality #newyorktimes #contemporaryart #artauction #artprices #ABCs #art #artcollectors #artdealers #artists #ultracontemporaryart #buyart

Read this insightful article about the art market and Basquiat, who exceeded Picasso as the benchmark - written by Marion Maneker. R. Adam Smith #artbusiness #artworld #artconsultant

Very informative overview of the market after one of London’s busiest Octobers, including the Frieze Art Fair. Katharine suggests: Maybe 2 quality fairs with clear intention is better than 3 fairs, of mediocre quality.

When I saw a banana duct-taped to a wall being sold for $6.2 million, I was deeply disheartened. The art industry today seems increasingly dominated by buyers and companies that prioritise spectacle over genuine artistic value. Works like the infamous banana, which come across as little more than a joke, highlight this troubling trend. Perhaps high-profile auctions at institutions like Sotheby’s should prompt reflection on how far the art world has strayed from its roots. As an artist navigating today’s landscape, I have encountered far more negativity than positivity in an industry once driven by passion but now overshadowed by greed. Here’s a thought what if that $6.2 million were to be invested in emerging artists, upcoming galleries, as well as educational programs? #foodforthought #art #artmarket

In case you wonder how to insure a +$6M banana taped to a wall with duct tape....

Interesting read on the current state of affairs in the Art Market especially the Ultra-Contemporary. What approach should collectors/sellers take? #artcollectors #collectionmanagement #artadvisory https://lnkd.in/gAMurG_G

When Comedian first appeared, it was a punchline - a well-aimed shot at the hyper-commercialization of art and the empty spectacle that often drives the market. It was the art world, for a brief second, laughing at itself. But that moment has passed, and the joke is no longer on the industry. It’s on us. Sotheby’s decision to revive and auction this piece again isn’t a daring move; it’s a desperate cash grab. When an auction house like Sotheby’s gives its stamp of approval to Comedian—again—they’re telling young artists that it’s not about innovation, talent, or vision. It’s about being a spectacle, about going viral, about packaging your art as a commodity that can be easily consumed and resold. But art isn’t supposed to be this way. It’s supposed to be an act of rebellion, a pursuit of truth, a space where boundaries are pushed and where risk is rewarded. What Sotheby’s should be doing is championing those voices - amplifying artists who are unafraid to take risks, who have something new to say, and who are willing to challenge the very market forces that Comedian once tried to critique. Instead, they’re retreating to the comfort of an old gag, proving that they’re more interested in cashing in than creating meaningful, lasting change in the art world. It’s time for Sotheby’s to do better. To move past the empty spectacle, the gimmicks, the lazy stunts that offer nothing new. To stop chasing viral moments and start creating a space where genuine art—art that’s complex, challenging, and authentic—can thrive. The art world needs to get back to its roots, to remember that its purpose is not to commodify and consume but to innovate and inspire. Because if all we’re left with is a banana and a wall, recycled and resold as if it still matters, then we’ve lost the plot entirely. We’ve stopped being the curators of culture, and we’ve become the merchants of the mundane. And that’s not just embarrassing—it’s a failure. A failure of imagination, a failure of integrity, and a failure of the very institutions that are supposed to lead us forward.