Justin Solar buys a banana for $6.2 million at a New York public sale

• Solar mentioned the banana would “encourage extra thought and dialogue sooner or later”
• Bidding began at $800,000 earlier than leaping into the tens of millions
• Solar’s profitable bid was $5.2 million plus $1 million in Sotheby charges

Justin Solar has paid $6.24 million for a banana taped to a wall at a New York public sale, stating that it “represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of artwork, memes, and the cryptocurrency group.”

Taking to X, Solar, the founding father of Tron, mentioned: “I consider this piece will encourage extra thought and dialogue sooner or later and can turn out to be part of historical past. I’m honored to be the proud proprietor of the banana and look ahead to it sparking additional inspiration and affect for artwork fans world wide.”

Solar mentioned he’ll “personally eat the banana” within the subsequent few days.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve purchased the banana🍌 !!! @SpaceX @Sothebys I’m Justin Solar, and I’m excited to share that I’ve efficiently acquired Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic work, Comic for $6.2 million. This isn’t simply an art work; it represents a cultural phenomenon… pic.twitter.com/lAj1RE6y0C

— H.E. Justin Solar 🍌 (@justinsuntron) November 21, 2024

The art work is Maurizio Catteland’s “Comic” and is only a banana caught to a wall with duct tape.

Sotheby’s, who hosted the public sale, began bidding at $800,000 earlier than leaping into the tens of millions. At one stage the auctioneer mentioned: “These are phrases I believed I’d by no means say, $5 million for a banana,” shortly adopted by “don’t let it slip away.”

Throughout over six minutes of bidding, the Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s and Chairman of Sotheby’s China, Jen Hua, positioned the profitable bid of $5.2 million plus $1 million in Sotheby charges. Earlier than the public sale, Sotheby’s estimated it could promote between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Solar will obtain a certificates of authenticity signed by the artist.

The sale of the banana comes because the crypto market is experiencing a surge in worth. Yesterday, Bitcoin broke the $94,000 barrier, persevering with its upward trajectory to over $97,800 within the early hours of this morning.