User:Kalinux932/sandbox

Art Basel: Most Expensive Banana Art By Maurizio Cattelan's $120,000 banana eaten by artist

An artwork of an overripe banana duct-taped to a wall that sold for $120,000 (£91,000) has been eaten by a separate performance artist.

The artwork, titled Comedian, by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was on display at the international gallery Perrotin at Art Basel in Miami.

Three buyers bought the limited-edition pieces of the banana art this week.

But performance artist David Datuna pulled it from the wall, peeled it and devoured it on Saturday. Despite the initial anger of a member of staff, the banana was swiftly replaced and no further action will be taken.

The art reportedly comes with a certificate of authenticity, meaning owners can replace the banana.

"[Datuna] did not destroy the art work. The banana is the idea," Lucien Terras, a director at the gallery, told the Miami Herald.

Police were later deployed to guard the replacement banana.

Art Basel is one of the world's most high-profile contemporary art fairs.

Cattelan’s gallery Perrotin announced “with a heavy heart” Sunday that the controversial piece, titled “Comedian,” was taken down at the request of the art fair’s organizers.

“Art Basel collaboratively worked with us to station guards and create uniform lines,” the gallery’s statement said.

“However, the installation caused several uncontrollable crowd movements and the placement of the work on our booth compromised the safety of the artwork around us, including that of our neighbors. In the end, I would like to warmly thank all those who participated in this memorable adventure.”

Art Basel also confirmed the banana — which caused a stir at the fair when it sold for $120,000 — was no longer on display.

“Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian, 2019 is no longer on view,” an Art Basel spokesperson told The Post. “The crowds surrounding the installation posed a serious health and safety risk, as well as an access issue, so the work was removed.’”

Security guards stationed outside the booth Saturday were telling gawking fairgoers to “keep moving” and “you can’t stand here,” as a line formed to snag a photo of the pricey banana.