Dubai Set to Host Maurizio Cattelan’s Iconic Artwork for One Day Only
One of the most talked-about art exhibits in recent years is making its way to Dubai for a limited engagement—just one day in November. Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic artwork, titled Comedian, features a banana affixed to a wall with duct tape and promises to be a highlight for art enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike.
This intriguing piece will be showcased in the UAE as part of its world tour before being auctioned in New York City, where it is expected to fetch at least Dhs3.6 million. This exhibit could represent one of the final opportunities for the public to view this controversial artwork, as it may enter a private collection after the sale, possibly never to be seen again.
When Comedian was first unveiled at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, it attracted record crowds, sparked intense debate among viewers and critics, and had to be removed from the venue before the fair concluded. In a remarkable twist, two previous editions of the piece have been consumed, adding to its notoriety, with one instance being a performance art event.
On November 4, art lovers can catch a glimpse of this provocative banana at Sotheby’s in DIFC as part of the world tour. But what makes this artwork so special? Is it truly just a banana? Let’s explore the details surrounding this fascinating creation.
What Makes Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian So Controversial?
Comedian challenges our conventional perceptions of art. Can simply taping a banana to a wall qualify as art? Maurizio Cattelan is renowned for his ability to disrupt the art world with irreverent and ironic commentary on what constitutes artistic value.
This piece marked Catellan’s return to the art fair scene after a 15-year hiatus. It even alludes to one of his earlier works from 1999, where he famously duct-taped a gallery owner to the walls of his own gallery as a provocative statement.
At the time of its debut, Cattelan described Comedian as a sincere commentary on contemporary art valuation. He explained, “To me, Comedian was not a joke; it was a sincere commentary and a reflection on what we value. At art fairs, speed and business reign, so I thought: if I had to be at a fair, I could sell a banana like others sell their paintings. I could play within the system, but with my own rules.”
The piece drew mixed reactions; while some critics labeled it as the worst art of the week, others, including The Guardian, praised its audacity, and CBS dubbed it the most talked-about artwork at Miami’s Art Basel. Cattelan’s work pays homage to the French cultural prankster Marcel Duchamp, who stirred controversy in the early 20th century by displaying a urinal as art. Cattelan has also previously showcased an 18-karat gold toilet titled America at the Guggenheim.
Is a Real Banana Used in the Comedian?
When Cattelan conceptualized Comedian, his initial vision involved creating a more complex structure. He experimented with resin and bronze before ultimately settling on a real banana, which costs around Dhs1. Thus, the artwork indeed features a real banana, simply duct-taped to a plain wall with a single strip of tape.
As mentioned earlier, two instances of the piece being eaten have occurred. The first was in 2019 when Georgian performance artist David Datuna consumed the banana shortly after it had sold for approximately Dhs326,000. In a subsequent incident in 2023, a student in Seoul ate the banana because he claimed he “was hungry,” before taping the peel back to the wall.
The Comedian World Tour
The provocative art piece will embark on a global tour before its auction in New York. If you miss it in Dubai, here are the other locations and dates where you can experience this unique artwork:
- New York, Monday, October 28
- London, Tuesday, October 29
- Paris, Wednesday, October 30
- Milan, Thursday, October 31
- Hong Kong, Friday, November 1
- Dubai, Monday, November 4
- Taipei, Tuesday, November 5
- Tokyo, Wednesday, November 6
- Los Angeles, Thursday, November 7
- New York, Friday, November 8 – Wednesday, November 20
Free admission. 10 AM – 6 PM. Mon, Nov 4. Sotheby’s Dubai, DIFC Gate Village, Building 3. sothebys.com
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