
It is hardly comprehensible: a banana, taped to a wall with a piece of duct tape, is making global headlines once again.
This controversial work, titled Comedian by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has not only returned to the spotlight but has also found a buyer willing to pay millions. Yes, millions for a banana!
And that raises the question: what makes this art? Is it the banana itself? The piece of duct tape? Or is it the sheer absurdity of the story behind it?
"A banana taped to a wall is not art"
A few years ago, I tweeted about this topic: "A banana taped to a wall is not art. Being able to sell it as art and making international headlines with it—that is (an) ART!" My tweet received a lot of reactions. Even a journalist from NPO Radio 1 called me to discuss it on the show Dit is de Dag. Unfortunately, the conversation never happened because a 'more important' topic came up that day. Ironically, today this banana with duct tape seems more important than ever—or at least more interesting to the media and the art market.
The fact that someone is willing to pay millions for this piece shows that art is not just about the object but about the story, the context, and—let’s be honest—the artist's name.
A banana that sparks discussion
Why is Comedian receiving so much attention again? The answer is simple: it provokes discussion. As philosopher Immanuel Kant once wrote, art is that which "promotes the mental exercise of social communication." And this banana succeeds in doing exactly that, whether you call it art or not.
Everyone has an opinion about it. It sparks debate, outrage, admiration, and amusement. It acts as a mirror, making us reflect on what we value and why.
But what stings is that this kind of "art" diverts attention from artists who work with passion and craftsmanship. The contrast is stark. While some artists barely have the means to buy paint and canvas, a buyer is willing to pay millions for a banana and some duct tape.
The story makes the art
Let’s be honest: without the story and Cattelan’s name, no one would notice this banana, let alone buy it. The piece only holds value because it is linked to a well-known artist and because it is provocative.
This is a common occurrence in the art world: the story, the artist’s reputation, and media attention determine the value. The object itself becomes secondary. Just like Anton Heyboer once demonstrated in his interview with Ivo Niehe: a simple drawing is worth nothing until you sign it. Then, suddenly, it’s worth tens of thousands.
Maurizio Cattelan plays into this brilliantly. He mocks the art world and the absurdity of the market. He ridicules collectors and their obsession with status and exclusivity. But who is the real winner here? Is it the artist, who sparks a global discussion? Or the buyer, who embraces this work as a status symbol?
A painful contrast
What has resurfaced in the news today highlights a painful contrast. While exorbitant amounts are spent on a banana with tape, countless artists struggle to make ends meet. Artists who pour their soul and dedication into their work, often with a deeper message or social engagement, rarely receive the recognition they deserve.
Take Vincent van Gogh, perhaps the most tragic example. He sold only a handful of works in his lifetime and lived in poverty. Only after his death was he recognized as one of the greatest artists of all time. His paintings now sell for hundreds of millions, but that money comes too late. What could Van Gogh have achieved if he had received that appreciation during his lifetime? Perhaps his dream of creating an artist community in the Yellow House in France could have become a reality.
What is art, really?
The question that Comedian raises is simple yet fundamental: what is art? Is it technique, beauty, the emotions it evokes? Or is it the name, the story, and the discussion it generates? If we believe Immanuel Kant, art is about fostering social communication. In that sense, Cattelan is undoubtedly a master. His work makes us reflect on the value we assign to things and why.
But art is more than provocation. For many artists, it is a way to reflect on the world, capture emotions, and create meaning. It is disheartening that these artists often do not receive the recognition they deserve. Their work, which sometimes takes years of dedication, is overshadowed by a banana with duct tape—a piece that can be made in mere seconds.
Time for a revolution in art appreciation
Today’s news once again underscores how the art world sometimes loses sight of its essence. Art should be an expression of creativity and emotion, not a means for status or financial speculation. Perhaps it is time for a revolution in how we appreciate art.
Let’s give attention and recognition to artists who genuinely contribute to the world. Artists who tell stories, evoke emotions, and address social issues with their work. Because while a banana with duct tape makes the headlines, it is the artists with passion, vision, and talent who truly change the world.
But the question remains: who is the real artist here? Cattelan, who satirizes the absurdity of the market? Or the buyer, who takes this work seriously and pays millions for it? Perhaps the answer is that we are all part of this game. Because as long as we continue talking and writing about it, we keep assigning value to the banana with duct tape. And that, as I tweeted before, might just be the greatest art of all.
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