Today we related two stories involving bananas.
First off we reported on the daft art item (well it seems daft to me) which was no more than a banana duct-taped to a wall!
The work, if you can call it that was named, “COMEDIAN”
Well at least it gave me a laugh!
The conceptual item, by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelanwas debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019 and even then no one seemed to be sure whether it was supposed to be a joke or a commentary on questionable standards applied by some art collectors.
Whatever, it seems that it quickly erupted into a viral global sensation that drew record crowds, social media inundation, landed the cover of The New York Post, and divided viewers and critics alike.
Anyway the item just went under the hammer at Sotheby’s (but mercifully it didn’t get squashed) with bidding starting at $800,000.
During the event the auctioneer encouraged participants not to let the item slip away!
In the end the successful bidder was prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur, JUSTIN SUN, who secured the deal for no less than $6.2m or £4.9m.
A snip I’d say especially, since the purchase provides a certificate of authenticity, thereby giving the new owner the right to duct-tape any banana to a wall and call it COMEDIAN.
Just as well since he’s now eaten the banana originally displayed attached to the wall – but the duct tape is still in one piece. He claimed that this action would effectively contribute to making this “a part of this unique artistic experience, honouring its place in both art history and popular culture”.
Bearing in mind that it was reported that someone else had consumed the originally displayed banana, which to my mind at least suggests that the recent purchase can no longer be an original.
Either way It has not been revealed whether he paid for it in real money or crypto money.
And in the second hour we reported on the Swedish government minister who definitely would not have even considered placing a bid for this coveted item.
That individual is Sweden’s Gender Equality Minister, Paulina Brandberg who apparently suffers from a phobia of bananas.
It seems that Bananaphobia can cause serious symptoms like anxiety and nausea which can be triggered by seeing or smelling the fruit.
So fearful of coming into contact with bananas was said minister, that her officials insist on rooms being free of the fruit ahead of any meeting or visit.
A recent message sent to Norway’s Judicial Agency ahead of a VIP lunch, requested that there be no bananas in the areas where she would be staying and the County Administrative Board were told that, “no bananas were to be permitted on their premises.”
The minister stated that she is receiving professional help to overcome her phobia.
Well I never!
Hope to see you again tomorrow – bananas are optional.
Scott
