In an extraordinary display of art appreciation, Justin Sun, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur known for his ventures in blockchain, chowed down on a $6.2 million banana artwork titled "Comedian" by Maurizio Cattelan. The banana, duct-taped to a wall, fetched the staggering price at a Sotheby's auction in New York, where Sun bested six other bidders.
While feasting on the banana during a Hong Kong press conference, Sun mused about the parallels between the absurdity of the artwork and the cryptocurrency market, calling it "much better than other bananas." His purchase does not just grant him ownership of the banana itself, which is regularly replaced; he also received the rights for displaying the installation alongside instructions for swapping out the fruit.
This isn't the first time the banana has been eaten. Back in 2019, a performance artist and earlier this year, a South Korean student took their turns devouring the fruit—sans the hefty price tag. Each event attendee received their own banana and roll of duct tape as collaterals, adding a fun twist to the experience.
Sun, who operates the Tron blockchain network, likened the artwork to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), noting their shared perceived value amidst their lack of intrinsic worth. "Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork's history," he stated, eager to make his mark in the evolving narrative of both art and digital currency. The 34-year-old crypto enthusiast continues to remain a significant figure in the industry, recently revealing a $30 million investment in a crypto initiative linked to US President-elect Donald Trump— a venture that is sure to keep him in the news.
While feasting on the banana during a Hong Kong press conference, Sun mused about the parallels between the absurdity of the artwork and the cryptocurrency market, calling it "much better than other bananas." His purchase does not just grant him ownership of the banana itself, which is regularly replaced; he also received the rights for displaying the installation alongside instructions for swapping out the fruit.
This isn't the first time the banana has been eaten. Back in 2019, a performance artist and earlier this year, a South Korean student took their turns devouring the fruit—sans the hefty price tag. Each event attendee received their own banana and roll of duct tape as collaterals, adding a fun twist to the experience.
Sun, who operates the Tron blockchain network, likened the artwork to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), noting their shared perceived value amidst their lack of intrinsic worth. "Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork's history," he stated, eager to make his mark in the evolving narrative of both art and digital currency. The 34-year-old crypto enthusiast continues to remain a significant figure in the industry, recently revealing a $30 million investment in a crypto initiative linked to US President-elect Donald Trump— a venture that is sure to keep him in the news.
