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Man eats $120,000 banana taped to the wall at Miami art exhibition!

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Dec 19, 2019, 13:10 IST

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Banana sold for $120,000 at Art Basel

For art lovers across the world, Art Basel is one of the most awaited exhibitions that draws over 70,000 visitors every year to the heart of Miami Beach for four days to enjoy a wide array of the best modern art the world has to offer. Over a period of time, it has helped usher in a cultural revolution in Miami. While every year the exhibition gets attention because of unique artworks, this year it got media attention because of an installation featuring a fresh banana duct-taped to a wall that was sold for $120,000.

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What actually happened?

As part of an exhibition taking place at The Art Basel in Miami exhibited Maurizio Cattelan’s minimal art piece that featured a fresh banana taped from the wall. An artist named David Dutana ate the banana and dubbed himself “The Hungry Artist”. The art installation was named Comedian and is said to be a “symbol of global trade, a double entendre, as well as a classic device for humour.” The idea caught the attention of a French collector, who, in turn, paid an eye-watering $120,000 to own it.

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The Instagram video

The artist, David Datuna, posted a video of the stunt on Instagram titled "Hungry Artist," which showed him shoving the banana in his mouth in front of a group of shocked and giggling art patrons. "Art performance ... hungry artist," he said, as he peeled the banana and took a bite. "Do you have more? $150,000? Tasting good," he continued. Later, he was taken aside for questioning by a team who represented Maurizio Cattelan.

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Public reaction

While the art installation gained attention due to its pricing, experts in the industry raised a question against the idea of Art Basel promoting such work. The social media saw ripple through the art world- Is Art Basel highlighting the international art scene, or burying Miami's?