Artistic controversy
The media’s frenzy
The value of art is determined by the hype surrounding the story. This statement is gradually becoming a reality. The vast majority of people do not care about whether the local art gallery has increased or decreased in any way. How to make not in the textbooks artwork also known to the public? <<Comedian>> first appeared at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2019. The current transaction price has reached 6 million dollars, which is an exaggerated figure.
There is no coloring, carving, sewing, or any other artistic processing. Only one banana and a piece of silver tape constitute this artwork. Without a doubt, Comedian is the most nutritious artwork, and one of the most famous artworks. This artwork appeared on the cover of the New York Post. On social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, the term ” Duct tape banana” has sparked a frenzy.
Why has the whole world started paying attention to a banana stuck on the wall? Some critics praised its absurdity, satire and literary quality. Has the whole world been conquered by modern art? No one would be shocked by industrial tape and bananas from the fruit store. The truth is Comedian is not a brilliant work of art, but the artist is a smart news expert. Without any knowledge of art, anyone with fingers can stick a banana on the wall. This clearly demonstrates that the creation of the work may not be crucial, but it must be something that is easy to share, has a degree of discussion value.
People’s different attitudes.
In 2023, a Korean art student took this banana. He said he was very hungry and ate it in public, before sticking the banana peel back on. The reported video has received approximately one million views. Interestingly, in 2019, the original bananas were already eaten by a performance artist during the exhibition. Through the comment section, we can see people with different attitudes. Worries, anger, sarcasm, humor. Even after five years, Comedian still receives more attention than a fine oil painting. Maybe it is time for art education to include some journalism.
This is a dangerous trend. Become a laughing point on the internet, a headline news, a topic of discussion, start to be more important than artistic skills.
Han Tianyong 
Yinan Zhou 
Xinyue HOU