The Centre Pompidou-Metz has reported the theft of Comedian, the divisive installation by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan consisting of a single banana affixed to a wall with silver duct tape. Security staff discovered the work missing from its display over the weekend, prompting the institution to file a formal criminal complaint with local authorities.
Since its 2019 debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, where it sold for $120,000, the work has sparked intense debate regarding the nature of value and the boundaries of conceptual art. The piece is designed to be ephemeral; according to the artist’s instructions, the fruit is to be replaced every few days to prevent decomposition.
This is not the first time the installation has been compromised. During its 2019 exhibition, a performance artist removed the banana from the wall and consumed it in front of a crowd, an act he termed “Hungry Artist.” More recently, after a version of the work was purchased by crypto-entrepreneur Justin Sun at auction for $6.2 million, he famously ate the banana during a press conference in New York.
Museum officials expressed frustration over the incident, stating that the act has left no room for the dialogue typically encouraged by contemporary art installations. Despite the theft, the exhibit has been restored; a fresh banana was installed on the wall within hours to maintain the artist’s specifications.
The Centre Pompidou-Metz has not released specific details regarding security footage or suspects, but the investigation remains ongoing. The recurring incidents of theft and consumption have become an integral, if unintended, part of the work’s legacy, frequently drawing attention back to the fragility of objects deemed high-value in the global art market.
This was first reported via CNN.