In a spectacle that blends the worlds of cryptocurrency and conceptual art, Justin Sun, a prominent figure in the crypto space, ate the banana from Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” artwork, which he purchased for $6.2 million. The event took place in one of Hong Kong’s most luxurious hotels on Friday, drawing a crowd of journalists and influencers.
Sun, who had earlier given a speech at the Peninsula hotel, described the banana as “iconic” and drew parallels between the transient nature of conceptual art and the digital essence of cryptocurrencies. “It’s much better than other bananas,” Sun quipped after taking his first bite. “It’s really quite good.”
“Comedian” by Cattelan, which consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall, was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. Sun outbid six other contenders to secure the piece. He spoke of his initial “disbelief” upon winning the bid, followed by a realization of its potential impact. “Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork’s history,” he remarked during the event.
The artwork, which first debuted at Art Basel in Miami Beach in 2019, stirred debate over its artistic merit and value. Sun compared such conceptual art to NFT (Non-Fungible Token) art, noting how both exist primarily as intellectual property or digital entities rather than physical objects.
The event wasn’t devoid of reminders of Sun’s broader business ventures. Earlier this week, he announced a $30 million investment in World Liberty Financial, a project endorsed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Sun’s legal troubles were also highlighted; he faces charges from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission related to unregistered securities from his Tron project, with the case still ongoing.
During the performance art moment, two men costumed as auction house staff stood before a plain wall, where the only color came from the yellow banana. Sun, who admitted to having “dumb questions” about the artwork’s maintenance, explained that owners receive a certificate of authenticity and instructions for replacing the fruit when it rots.
As a quirky memento for attendees, each guest was given a roll of duct tape and a banana. “Everyone has a banana to eat,” Sun declared, turning the act of consuming into a communal experience.
