Maurizio Cattelan says his 'banana on the wall' is an artistic provocation

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan is the creator of the 'banana wallpaper' that just sold for $6.2 million.

Maurizio Cattelan said in an interview published on November 22 that the "banana on the wall" work is a provocation and an invitation to appreciate the true value of art.

Comedian sold for $6.2 million

PHOTO: SOTHEBY'S

The work titled Comedian by Maurizio Cattelan was purchased by Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun on November 20 at an auction at Sotheby's New York.

This work shook the art world in 2019 when it debuted at Art Basel in Miami (USA).

"It is a provocation that invites us to reflect on the value of art and the dynamics of the market, pushing us to question what this work says about us as viewers," Cattelan told Italian newspaper La Repubblica .

The "banana wallpaper" artwork, made from a banana that cost 25 cents (over 6,000 VND), increased from its starting price of 800,000 USD to 5.2 million USD, plus taxes and fees the buyer must pay is 6.2 million USD (155 billion VND).

“It was the market that decided to take the banana stuck on the wall seriously…”, Cattelan added.

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan (64 years old)

PHOTO: REUTERS

The 64-year-old artist is known for his surreal installations and sculptures, including a fake horse dangling from the ceiling, the late Pope John Paul II being hit by a meteorite and a marble hand with its middle finger raised outside the Milan stock exchange.

Cattelan also said he was fast asleep when the banana was auctioned, and dreamed that his favorite football team Atalanta would beat AC Milan in their upcoming home match in Serie A.

" Comedian is a laugh against a tired system, an invitation to rediscover the power of irony and simplicity," the artist commented on the work "banana on the wall".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/maurizio-cattelan-cho-biet-tac-pham-qua-chuoi-dan-tuong-cua-minh-la-su-khieu-khich-nghe-thuat-185241123083734926.htm