Background on the Artist and Artwork
The incident involves an artwork titled “Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, known for his provocative creations. The piece, valued at millions of dollars, was displayed at the Centre Pompidou in Metz, France. Cattelan’s artwork has been the center of attention since its first exhibition in Miami in 2019, where another artist consumed a banana attached to a wall to protest its high price of $120,000.
The Incident at the French Museum
On Saturday, a visitor at the Centre Pompidou in Metz reportedly bit into and consumed a banana attached to a wall, part of Cattelan’s “Comedian” installation. The museum confirmed the incident in a statement, assuring that security intervened swiftly and appropriately according to internal procedures.
“The integrity of the artwork was not affected in any way,” the museum explained, adding that since bananas are perishable items, they are regularly replaced following the artist’s instructions.
Artist’s Response
Cattelan expressed his disappointment, stating that the visitor mistook the banana for a piece of art rather than consuming the actual fruit. The artist clarified that the visitor only ate the banana, leaving the artwork intact.
Previous Controversies
- In Miami 2019, an artist consumed the banana to protest its high price of $120,000.
- Justin Sun, a Chinese-American entrepreneur, also ate the banana shortly after purchasing it for a reportedly high sum at an auction in New York.
Sun’s actions drew attention when he declared, “It’s much better than other bananas,” in front of journalists at a luxurious Hong Kong hotel.
No Formal Complaints
According to Le Républicain lorrain, no formal complaints have been filed regarding the incident at the Centre Pompidou in Metz.
Impact and Significance
Cattelan’s “Comedian” installation, with only three existing copies, challenges the notion of art and its value. The repeated incidents involving visitors consuming the bananas have sparked discussions about the perceived worth of art and the boundaries between interaction and destruction.
