A solid gold toilet sculpture titled 'America' by Maurizio Cattelan is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's with a starting bid of $10 million, reflecting its intrinsic value and satirical commentary on wealth; the piece has a history of theft and public display, but this time it will be exhibited for viewing only.
The solid gold, functional toilet sculpture 'America' by Maurizio Cattelan, with a rich history including theft and public display, is set to auction at Sotheby's starting at $10 million, highlighting themes of value and art critique.
Sotheby's is auctioning Maurizio Cattelan's famous 18-karat gold toilet, 'America', in November, with a starting bid around $10 million based on gold weight, highlighting its commentary on art and commodity value, and continuing its provocative legacy after theft and exhibitions worldwide.
Two men involved in the 2019 theft of an 18-carat gold toilet from Blenheim Palace in England were sentenced to two to four years in prison, with evidence revealing their detailed planning and subsequent dismantling of the artwork for sale.
Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun ate a banana artwork he purchased for $6.2 million, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, in a social media stunt. Sun, who bought the piece at a New York auction, humorously commented on the banana's taste and pledged to buy 100,000 bananas for free distribution, though logistical challenges were noted by the original banana seller. Sun is known for high-profile purchases, including a $4.8 million lunch with Warren Buffett and a $28 million space trip bid.
Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, who recently purchased the conceptual art piece "Comedian" by Maurizio Cattelan for $6.2 million, ate the banana from the artwork during a press conference in Hong Kong. The piece, which features a banana duct-taped to a wall, gained fame at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019. Sun's purchase included a certificate allowing him to recreate the artwork. He described the act as a unique artistic experience bridging art, memes, and cryptocurrency. Sun also announced a $30 million investment in Donald Trump's cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial.
Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun ate a banana from Maurizio Cattelan's $6.2 million artwork 'Comedian' during a press conference in Hong Kong. Sun, who purchased the artwork at a Sotheby's auction, used the event to draw parallels between the artwork and cryptocurrency, likening it to NFTs. The banana, part of a duct-taped installation, has been replaced multiple times and eaten by others before. Sun's actions highlight the intersection of art, value, and digital currency.
Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun purchased Maurizio Cattelan's artwork "Comedian," a banana duct-taped to a wall, for $6.2 million. The piece, which includes a certificate of authenticity, has been a provocative symbol in the art world since its debut. Sun plans to eat the banana as part of an artistic experience but is open to sending it to space with Elon Musk. The artwork's value lies in its concept and authenticity, not the banana itself.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork "Comedian," featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby's in New York, significantly surpassing its pre-sale estimate. The buyer, Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, plans to eat the banana as part of the artistic experience. The piece, which has sparked debates about the nature of art since its 2019 debut, includes instructions for replacing the banana when it rots. Sun, who runs the Tron blockchain network, has faced fraud accusations from the US SEC, which he denies.
A banana duct-taped to a wall, part of Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual art piece 'Comedian,' sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York. The winning bid came from Justin Sun, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, who purchased a certificate allowing him to recreate the artwork. The piece, which gained fame at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, sparked debate over art standards and was previously sold for up to $150,000. Sun plans to eat the banana as part of the artistic experience.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork 'Comedian', a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby's New York, far exceeding its estimated value. The winning bid came from Justin Sun, a Chinese collector and founder of the cryptocurrency platform Tron, who plans to pay in cryptocurrency and eat the banana as a tribute to its cultural significance. The piece, which has sparked debate over art market excess and its own absurdity, includes a certificate of authenticity and display instructions.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork 'Comedian,' featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby's auction. The buyer, crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, considered paying with his cryptocurrency Tron or Bitcoin, which was at a record high during the auction. This sale highlights the intersection of contemporary art and digital currency.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork, "Comedian," featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $5.2 million at Sotheby's New York, surpassing initial estimates. The piece, a cultural phenomenon since its 2019 debut, was purchased by crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, who plans to eat the banana to honor its place in art history. The sale included a certificate of authenticity and installation instructions, highlighting the intersection of art, memes, and cryptocurrency.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork "Comedian," a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.24 million at a Sotheby's auction, far exceeding its initial estimate of $1.5 million. The piece, which debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, became a viral sensation and sparked debates about the nature and value of modern art. Experts suggest the work humorously critiques the art world's excesses, while also challenging traditional definitions of art.
Four men have been charged in the theft of an 18-karat gold toilet valued at $1.25 million, which was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019. The toilet, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, had been displayed at the Guggenheim museum in New York City before being installed at the palace. The men face charges including burglary, transferring criminal property, and conspiracy. The toilet has not been found, and its current value is estimated at $5.93 million.