Chinese Billionaire Consumes Banana Valued at $6 Million
Cryptocurrency investor Justin Sun engaged with Italian artwork as part of a “unique artistic experience.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Cryptocurrency investor Justin Sun has consumed the banana-based artwork he purchased at auction for $6.2 million, embracing what he calls a “unique artistic experience.” Footage from the public event in Hong Kong, where he enjoyed his purchase on Friday, has circulated online.
The artwork, titled ‘Comedian,’ was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2019 and consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall. It was auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York on November 21, where Sun was among seven bidders.
The entrepreneur received a banana and duct tape as part of his purchase and stated he would eat the fruit “as part of this unique artistic experience.”
“Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork’s history,” Sun remarked on Friday.
After taking his first bite, he shared, “It’s much better than other bananas. It’s really quite good.” Sun also drew connections between conceptual art and cryptocurrency.
Importantly, the banana he consumed was not the original used by Cattelan in 2019. Following his auction win, Sun was given guidelines on presenting and maintaining the installation, with regular fruit replacement being a significant component. His purchase included a certificate of authenticity.
The banana Sun acquired for $6.2 million was allegedly purchased for just 25 cents from a Manhattan fruit stall operated by a vendor earning $12 an hour.
In a generous gesture, Sun announced on Thursday his intention to buy 100,000 bananas from the stall, stating that the fruit would be distributed globally “as a celebration of the beautiful connection between everyday life and art.”
“To thank Mr. Shah Alam, I’ve decided to buy 100,000 bananas from his stand in New York's Upper East Side. These bananas will be distributed free worldwide through his stand. Show a valid ID to claim one banana, while supplies last,” Sun shared on Twitter.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
The artwork, titled ‘Comedian,’ was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2019 and consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall. It was auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York on November 21, where Sun was among seven bidders.
The entrepreneur received a banana and duct tape as part of his purchase and stated he would eat the fruit “as part of this unique artistic experience.”
“Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork’s history,” Sun remarked on Friday.
After taking his first bite, he shared, “It’s much better than other bananas. It’s really quite good.” Sun also drew connections between conceptual art and cryptocurrency.
Importantly, the banana he consumed was not the original used by Cattelan in 2019. Following his auction win, Sun was given guidelines on presenting and maintaining the installation, with regular fruit replacement being a significant component. His purchase included a certificate of authenticity.
The banana Sun acquired for $6.2 million was allegedly purchased for just 25 cents from a Manhattan fruit stall operated by a vendor earning $12 an hour.
In a generous gesture, Sun announced on Thursday his intention to buy 100,000 bananas from the stall, stating that the fruit would be distributed globally “as a celebration of the beautiful connection between everyday life and art.”
“To thank Mr. Shah Alam, I’ve decided to buy 100,000 bananas from his stand in New York's Upper East Side. These bananas will be distributed free worldwide through his stand. Show a valid ID to claim one banana, while supplies last,” Sun shared on Twitter.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
