Million dollar artwork: Visitor eats the banana! Drama in the center of Metz!

Million dollar artwork: Visitor eats the banana! Drama in the center of Metz!

At the Center Pompidou Metz, a work of art by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan is causing a stir: the banana, which will be presented on May 8, 2025 as part of the exhibition “Dimanche sans fin”, is worth a whopping six million dollars. The special feature of this installation entitled “Comedian” is that the banana is attached to the wall with adhesive tape and has already been eaten several times. A Dutch visitor ate the fruity icon of contemporary art again to find out what such an expensive banana tastes like. However, no charges were filed, bringing back memories of past incidents where the artwork was also consumed.

David Datuna, an artist who ate the banana at Art Basel in Miami in 2019, was repeatedly quoted in the media, and a South Korean student also did so during an exhibition in Seoul in 2023, reigniting the debate about the value and meaning of art. Cattelan reacted calmly to the recent event and regretted that the visitor mistook the banana for the entire work of art. The artist clarified that only the fruit was consumed and not the entire installation.

Art as investment and cultural discussion

The debate about the value of art and its importance for society is of particular interest in the contemporary art scene. Platforms like contemporary-art.com provide information about art collectors, gallery owners and the art market in general, including tips for investing in art objects. These aspects are particularly relevant when considering the value of a work of art like “Comedian.” Cattelan's banana could serve as a prime example of how the perception of art is discussed in our modern world.

The connection between art and business is taking up more and more space, while trends and discourses are constantly evolving. Against this background, the creation of art machines, as used by artists worldwide, is not only a creative process, but also a part of economic activity. The current art market shows that works by artists like Janet Echelman and Simon Scheuerle are not only considered creative forms of expression, but also as investments.

The installation “Comedian” will remain on display at the Center Pompidou Metz until February 2, 2027. Currently, both the banana and the tape are replaced regularly to maintain presentation. These regular renewals reflect the vibrant dialogue between art and its public reception, which continues to fuel interest in contemporary works of art.