A $6.2 Million Banana, Bought with Crypto

Justin Sun has purchased Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial artwork, Comedian—a banana duct-taped to a wall—for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

The sculpture, which sparked widespread debate became a cultural phenomenon, sold within six minutes of competitive bidding. Sotheby’s confirmed that this was the only auction of the day that accepted crypto payments.

In a twist, Sun revealed he had toyed with the idea of using TRX, his cryptocurrency, or Bitcoin, which had hit a record $95,000 at the time of the auction.

“Comedian”: A Viral Artwork with Historical Significance

Comedian first appeared in 2019 at Art Basel Miami Beach, presented by the Perrotin gallery. The artwork garnered significant attention, eventually requiring its removal due to overcrowding.

The initial three editions of the piece sold for $120,000 to $150,000 each. Since then, it has become a topic of discussion in art and pop culture, inspiring memes, merchandise, and debates about the nature of art itself.

Connecting Symbolism with Decentralization

Following the sale, Bloomberg reported Sun expressing admiration for Comedian, noting its conceptual nature aligning with themes of decentralization central to the crypto world. He described it as an artwork “impossible to destroy,” as its essence is its concept, not its physical form.

Sun, known for acquiring works by artists like Picasso, Warhol, and Giacometti, sees this acquisition as a bridge between modern art and the expanding crypto market.

Read also: Justin Sun’s Crypto Portfolio: Does It Include Bitcoin?

He plans to display the piece in his Hong Kong apartment and is open to lending it to industry players for public exhibitions.

Sun also noted the practicality of Comedian, calling it “easy to transport” compared to traditional artworks. He even suggested its suitability for space display, stating he would consider lending it to Elon Musk for a mission to Mars.