Sometimes the art world writes stories that sound like a joke. In Metz, France, a single action was enough to temporarily make one of the most famous contemporary artworks disappear: A visitor took the banana off the wall.
That unassuming piece of fruit is the ephemeral component of the installation “Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The work consists of a banana taped to the wall and has been among the most debated art objects worldwide for years. When the fruit vanished at the Centre Pompidou-Metz at the end of May, the museum responded immediately and filed a report.
The real surprise, however, lies elsewhere. The material value of the banana is practically irrelevant. Anyone who thinks of an especially expensive piece of fruit in this artwork misses the core of the idea. What is decisive are the certificate of authenticity and the precise instructions from the artist for the presentation. The banana itself serves only a symbolic function and is regularly replaced once it becomes ripe or unsightly.
That is part of its fascination.
Since its first presentation in 2019 at the Art Basel fair in Miami, the work has sparked heated debates. Critics see it as a provocation, supporters as a brilliant reflection on the art market. The question still hangs over the work like a storm cloud: What exactly are collectors buying when they pay millions for a banana?
The discussion gained additional fuel when one of the pieces was auctioned for more than six million dollars in 2024. For many people, this sounds absurd. Others regard this very irritation as part of the artistic concept. After all, Cattelan has been dealing for decades with the mechanisms of attention, prestige, and public perception.
The fact that the banana keeps disappearing or being eaten has by now almost become part of the artwork’s story. Shortly after the premiere, a performance artist made headlines by eating the exhibited fruit. Similar incidents occurred later in South Korea and even once before in Metz. Each time, the reaction was surprisingly unspectacular: The banana was replaced, the artwork remained.
Somewhat crazy.
The current incident fits seamlessly into the history of “Comedian.” No lasting damage occurred. Nevertheless, the museum criticized the act since visitors were temporarily unable to experience part of the exhibition.
Perhaps this new incident shows why the work still functions today. A banana on a wall triggers reports, debates, and head-shaking worldwide. It provokes questions about value, meaning, and attention – and that seems to be the actual artwork.
While the stolen banana has long since been replaced, the debate continues. The fruit perishes. The idea behind it remains surprisingly durable.
By C. Hatty