The artwork, consisting of a banana glued to the wall with duct tape, was eaten by an art student at the museum in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, where it is exhibited.
According to the news of The Korea Herald newspaper, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s solo exhibition consisting of 38 pieces called “WE” met with art lovers at the Leeum Art Museum in Seoul.
A piece of art called “Comedy”, which consists of a banana glued to the wall, is also part of the exhibition.
One of the visitors to the museum, a student studying art at Seoul National University, took the banana on the wall, peeled it, ate it, and taped the peel back to the wall.
The student said to the museum officials, who asked why he ate the banana, “I didn’t have breakfast, I was hungry.” gave the answer.
Speaking to the local press after the incident, the student said that he thought “damaging modern art can be interpreted as a work of art”.
In the meantime, it has been learned that the museum will not ask the student to cover the damage. It is known that the banana used in the work is renewed every 2 or 3 days.
Artist Cattelan’s solo exhibition “WE” can be visited until 16 July.
THEY ALSO EAT THE BANANA, SOLD FOR 120 THOUSAND DOLLARS
Known for his satirical sculpture and installation works, the artist Cattelan’s work called “Comedy”, consisting of a banana stuck to the wall with duct tape, was sold for 120,000 dollars at the art fair he organized in the USA in December 2019. Two versions of the work, produced by the artist in three pieces, were bought for 120 thousand dollars, and a price of 150 thousand dollars was determined for the third copy.
In the certificate of authenticity given to the buyers with the work, it was stated that the owners of the work could change the banana if they deem it necessary, in case of decay.
Artist David Datuna ate one of the bananas right after it was sold.
The toilet bowl-shaped sculpture made by the artist in 18-carat gold was stolen from Blenheim Palace, where it was exhibited in England in September 2019. The work, called “America,” was valued at approximately $6 million. (AA)