MIAMI: The move was bananas ... or maybe the work was just too appealing.
A performance artist shook up the crowd at the Art Basel show in Miami Beach on Saturday when he grabbed a banana that had been duct-taped to a gallery wall and ate it.
The banana was, in fact, a work of art by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan titled “Comedian” and sold to a French collector for $120,000.
In a video posted on his Instagram account, David Datuna, who describes himself as a Georgian-born American artist living in New York, walks up to the banana and pulls it off the wall with the duct tape attached.
“Art performance ... hungry artist,” he said, as he peeled the fruit and took a bite. “Thank you, very good.”
A few bystanders could be heard giggling before a flustered gallery official whisked him to an adjoining space for questioning.
But the kerfuffle was resolved without a food fight.
“He did not destroy the art work. The banana is the idea,” Lucien Terras, director of museum relations for Galerie Perrotin, told the Miami Herald.
As it turns out, the value of the work is in the certificate of authenticity, the newspaper said. The banana is meant to be replaced.
A replacement banana was taped to the wall about 15 minutes after Datuna’s stunt.
“This has brought a lot of tension and attention to the booth and we’re not into spectacles,” Terras said. “But the response has been great. It brings a smile to a lot of people’s faces.”
Cattelan is perhaps best known for his 18-carat, fully functioning gold toilet called “America” that he had once offered on loan to US President Donald Trump.
The toilet, valued at around $5 to $6 million, was in the news again in September when it was stolen from Britain’s Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of wartime leader Winston Churchill, where it had been on display.
Man eats $120,000 piece of art — a banana taped to wall
Man eats $120,000 piece of art — a banana taped to wall
Messi to unveil 21-meter statue of himself on India ‘GOAT’ tour
- Iron sculpture in Kolkata is part of a so-called GOAT Tour that will take in four Indian cities
- Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week
KOLKATA: Lionel Messi will unveil a 21-meter (70-foot) statue of himself in India on Saturday as he embarks on a three-day tour of the country that has sparked a fan frenzy.
The iron sculpture in Kolkata, which shows Messi holding aloft the World Cup, is part of a so-called GOAT Tour that will take in four Indian cities and a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar will unveil the monument virtually rather than in person for security reasons.
A “Hola Messi” fan zone has also been set up in Kolkata where on display is a life-sized replica of Messi sat on a throne.
The hall also recreates his Miami home, complete with mannequins of his family members.
Football fan Samir Nandy said it would be “a dream come true” to catch a glimpse of his idol.
“Legends are not made by success alone. It is his resilience that made me believe in him,” Nandy, 64, said in Kolkata.
“The statue is a fitting tribute to him.”
Monti Paul, the statue’s main sculptor, said the structure was built inside 40 days.
“It’s a matter of pride to build the sculpture of Messi. It’s the tallest statue I have made,” he said.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will also meet Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly during his whirlwind trip to Kolkata.
Ahead of his arrival, Messi said it was an honor to visit India and interact with the fans.
“India is a very special country and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago — the fans were fantastic,” Messi said in a statement.
“India is a passionate football nation and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game.”
After Kolkata, where Messi will play a short friendly match, he will head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
In Hyderabad he will attend a concert in his honor and play another friendly.
He is reportedly scheduled to meet Modi in the capital.
Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina’s defense of the World Cup in June-July in North America.
