While scrolling some headlines this morning my attention was diverted by a story about a banana duct taped to wall in an art gallery. Evidently this piece of art is soon to be auctioned off by Sotheby’s auction house and could sell for $1 million or higher.

This artwork titled “Comedian” by an Italian artist first debuted at a Miami art fair in 2019. It quickly became a much discussed piece and selfie seeking crowds so thoroughly crowded around it that it eventually had to be removed, but not before another artist who was perhaps jealous of the attention, removed the banana from the wall and ate it necessitating a backup banana be brought in.

A spokesperson for Sotheby’s calls it “profound and provocative” ……….although truthfully I feel he says this about every piece of art. Just to clarify the bidders won’t be bidding on the original banana and piece of duct tape as the fruit was always meant to be replaced.

In fact, what you are really buying is not the banana and duct tape but a certificate of authenticity that grants the owner the permission to reproduce the banana and duct tape on their wall as an original piece of artwork by the artist.

So really I or anybody else doesn’t need to spend a $1 million to duct tape a banana to their wall. I could do it for considerably cheaper than that, but I’m sure my wife would not be happy at my attempt at modern art and removal of the banana would probably take paint off the wall and we do have a fruit bowl sitting on the table and even though I never considered it a piece of art I suppose I could duct tape a banana to the fruit bowl…..who knows maybe some day, somebody would consider a banana duct taped to a fruit bowl to be “profound and provocative”

So go ahead make art with fruit, duct tape or any other household items….just make sure it doesn’t damage the walls or your spouse would not be happy about your modern interpretation of art……or you could just make bread

Peace and Love,

John