I Watched Justin Sun Eat the World’s Most Expensive Banana. I Don’t Get It.
Upgraded Nov 29, 2024, 1:47 p.m. Published Nov 29, 2024, 12:51 p.m.
Justin Sun strolled into the space flanked by his normal entourage of bodyguards and consultants and made his method to the phase. Behind him, a banana was duct taped in position on a white wall. On either side, 2 blank-faced guys in white t-shirts and black aprons gazed into the sea of cams and mobile phones. I questioned what they were believing.
When it comes to what I was believing, it was something along the lines of how absurd this all was. To offer some background, on Nov. 21 Tron creator Justin Sun paid a massive $6.2 million– consisting of $1 million in commission– at an auction at Sotheby’s in New York for an art work called Comic The work, developed by contemporary artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2019, is the abovementioned banana duct taped to the wall.
The response amongst lots of observers was the normal one seen whenever anybody invests a large amount of cash on modern-day art: confusion, a little disgust, an eye roll. I believe individuals who do not like art can still value the ability that enters into paintings or sculptures. If works like Comic or Unmade Bed have any creative benefit, I can not understand it. Tron’s public relations group guaranteed me art is subjective.
It’s memecoin season and things with definitely no intrinsic worth are extremely in right now. It was barely unexpected that quickly after purchasing the banana-and-duct-tape combination, Sun stated he prepared to consume it.
This has actually taken place two times before: Once in 2019, when an efficiency artist took it from the Art Basel in Miami quickly after it was cost $120,000. Once again by a South Korean art trainee at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul in 2023.
It does not impact the art work. The banana and duct tape are changed routinely anyhow.
The intake occurred at the 5-star Peninsula Hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui location of Hong Kong on Friday, a stone’s toss from a few of the city’s most infamous doss homes.
The crowd included a mix of reporters and individuals from the art and crypto markets, Tron and Sotheby’s staff members and so-called crucial viewpoint leaders (KOLs). I indicate the sort of individuals who use clothing that appear like they originated from the regional market, however most likely expense countless dollars– U.S. dollars, not Hong Kong. One fellow reporter had actually flown all the method from Shanghai simply for the occasion. Around us in the foyer, servers in white match coats served white wine and other drinks.
An info board near the entryway stated Sun looked for to immerse himself in the efficiency art of Cattelan, with Comic as his muse. “He imagines this renowned piece as a driver for triggering discussions and exchanges,” the text read.
2018, BidPixels