We have seen various strange, mesmerizing, strange yet mesmerizing pieces of art through the years. The environment in an art museum is often sophisticated, and quiet. But this South Korean Art student’s stomach decided its snack time! And decided to eat the next eatable thing in sight- a banana artwork that was on display. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork “Comedian” was on display in the art museum until this student decided to eat it.
The video of student Noh Huyn peeling and having the banana shocked onlookers and netizens. While we sometimes look at these artworks rather amused, this was something else. What is funnier is watching him duct tape the banana peels back to their place as the banana artwork.
When asked why this student decided to do what he did, his simple reasoning was “he was hungry.” He later revealed that it seemed to him like another form of art to retape the eaten banana peel back to its place as a joke. He also suggested that the banana was meant to be eaten since it was taped to the wall.
The Banana Artwork
Or, Art Basel Banana
Although it sounds catchy, the name of the piece is not Art Basel Banana. It is by Maurizio Cattelan and is titled Comedian. Italian artist and absurdist Cattelan replaced a toilet at the Guggenheim in 2016 with a gilded one that was completely functional. He titled the piece of art America.
One might question, “Why a banana though?” When asked, Maurizio said he was initially thinking of a “sculpture shaped like a banana.” His exact statement read-
“Every time he traveled, he brought a banana with him and hung it in his hotel room to find inspiration. He made several models: first in resin, then in bronze, and painted bronze (before) finally coming back to the initial idea of a real banana.”
The sheer ridiculousness of the art piece is what it is all about, hence being named “Comedian.”
Cattelan is known for his satirical and whimsical artworks, and the banana artwork was just one of them.
When “Comedian” sold for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2019, it became one of the most viral moments in the art industry. At the fair, two additional editions of the work were also sold.
The Artist’s Reaction
Following the action, and the reaction of several netizens, and art lovers, the one from the creator of “Comedian” is important, After all, this is one of his most famous artworks and just being eaten like that is shocking, to say the least.
When asked the museum, their spokesperson said that Cattelan was informed about the incident and he didn’t have any reaction to it.
