Intelligence Squared The Specialist | The Multi-Million Dollar Banana, with David Galperin
Sep 5, 2025
Join David Galperin, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman and Head of Contemporary Art for The Americas, as he delves into the audacious world of Maurizio Cattelan's Comedian. This provocative artwork—a banana taped to a wall—challenges our understanding of art's value. Galperin explores the complexities of auctioning such a conceptual piece, revealing the absurdity and unpredictability of the art market. Discover what makes this million-dollar banana a cultural phenomenon that continues to spark debate and captivate imaginations.
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Art Basel Debut Sparked Global Uproar
- David Galperin recounts Comedian's debut at Art Basel Miami Beach where crowds forced the work to be removed for safety.
- He describes the piece as initially absurd yet intentionally provocative and powerful.
Price Is Part Of The Artwork
- Galperin argues the banana's absurdity is the point and that its baseline simplicity gives it universal power.
- He notes the price tag ($120,000) was integral to the artwork's provocation and meaning.
Collector's Call Sparked Auction Plan
- A collector called Galperin asking if Sotheby's could bring Comedian to auction, which immediately hooked him on the idea.
- He saw auction as a complementary commercial context to the original fair presentation.