Art student eats Cattelan’s banana in protest against commercialization of art

At the Leeum Museum in Seoul, a student of art made a bold statement by consuming a banana that was a component of Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous work “Comedian.”

The artwork, which is a genuine banana attached to a white wall, made headlines when it was sold at Art Basel in 2019 for $120,000. Many people argued about whether the artwork was a commentary on the value of art or merely a publicity stunt, and the banana came to represent the absurdity of the art market.

The event at the Leeum Museum has reignited debates on the significance of Cattelan’s paintings and the place of culture in society.

According to reports, the anonymous art student consumed the banana as a form of protest against the commodification of art. The student stated, “I wanted to show that art should not be about money or prestige, but about the message it conveys,” in a statement made public following the incident. I used the banana as a means to regain control and demonstrate how art’s strength resides in its capacity to challenge and provoke.

Keep Reading

It’s unclear whether any action will be taken against the student because the museum hasn’t yet commented on the incident. On social media, the incident has sparked a discussion, with some people praising the student’s act of disobedience and others denouncing it as disrespectful to the artist and the artwork.

Regardless of one’s perspective on the issue, the occurrence draws attention to the ongoing debate over the commercialisation of art and how the creator and the audience contribute to its interpretation. It serves as a reminder that art is about more than just beauty and worth; it also affects people’s thoughts and feelings.

It is evident that art is still a potent weapon for social commentary and cultural criticism even as the art community struggles with these issues. And it will undoubtedly continue to incite and test us, whether it appears as a banana nailed to a wall or a student munching on that banana.

Katherine S

1/4 German, 3/4 Malaysian. I write, follow and monitor closely political news happening in Malaysia, and other happening news in the ASEAN region. Newswriter for the best ASEAN news website - The Asian Affairs.

Recent Posts

Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024

The 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 19, 2024 and…

December 22, 2024

Shooting concludes: Stranger Things 5 to release on Netflix in 2025

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is one of the most popular sci-fi horror series globally. It is set…

December 21, 2024

China’s Hypersonic Expansion in Asia Raises Alarms for India

According to the US Department of Defense, China has now produced the most sophisticated supply of hypersonic weapons in the…

December 21, 2024

Melaka International Halal Festival 2024

The Melaka International Halal Festival 2024 aims to turn the city as the prime center of the Halal products and…

December 21, 2024

Chunichi Dragons Renews the Contract of Hiroto Takahashi with Annual Salary of 120 million yen

On Saturday, the stalwart of Chunichi Dragons Pitcher, Hiroto Takahashi attended the negotiation for his contract renewal for the next…

December 21, 2024

Biden-Harris administration cancels another $4.28 billion in US student loans

US President Joe Biden has cancelled another $4.28 billion in student loans for nearly 55,000 people across the country, the…

December 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More