Would you pay as much as $150,000 for a banana and a piece of duct tape? Surprisingly, three art collectors—two buyers of an initial edition of two at $120,000 each, and a third who spent $150,000 for a so-called “artist’s proof”—eagerly paid those six-figure prices for official instruction sheets along with certificates that authorized them to assemble that piece of conceptual art on their own walls. The creation of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, entitled “Comedian,” gained significant media and public attention when exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019. Although this may seem absurd, similar instances exist in the history of conceptual art—for example, allowing museums and individuals to own and exhibit wall drawings by Sol LeWitt, who issued certificates of authenticity along with diagrams and instructions for the installation of his large-scale geometric works. Despite the controversy that such artworks understandably provoke, Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” qualifies as art due to its high market value, the involvement of human creativity and imagination, and its ability to evoke emotional and intellectual responses from viewers.

First of all, “Comedian” should be considered art because the fact that it was sold for a significant amount of money demonstrates its value within the art market. Likewise, the willingness of someone to purchase it validates its status as art. The art market is a complex system that determines the value of art based on a variety of factors, including the artist’s reputation, the materials used, the historical context of the work, and, not least, actual buyer demand for the piece. In the case of “Comedian,” the fact that it was created by a well-known artist makes it a valuable work of art despite the fact that it is made from simple, everyday objects. “When we saw the public debate Comedian sparked about art and our society, we decided to purchase it,” said Miami-based art collectors Billy and Beatrice Cox, buyers of ‘Comedian’. “We bought it to ensure that it would be accessible to the public forever, to fuel debate and provoke thoughts and emotion in a public space in perpetuity.” Therefore, Maurizio Cattelan’s ‘Comedian’ should count as art because everything can be sold as long as someone is willing to purchase them.

Second of all, ‘Comedian’ should be regarded as art because it expresses human creative skill and imagination. The definition of art itself is not fixed or limited to specific forms such as paintings or sculptures. Creativity and imagination are essentials for any piece of art. In fact, with the progress of society and the encouragement of innovation, artworks now sometimes include seemingly insignificant objects and intangible ideas. Marshall McLuhan, a 20th-century Canadian philosopher and media theorist, once stated, “Art is anything you can get away with,” thus suggesting that art is subjective, lacking a singular definition. What is considered art can evolve over time and vary from person to person. Therefore, “Comedian” should be recognized as art because it involves the process of expressing human creativity and imagination.

Third of all, ‘Comedian’ should unquestionably be considered art due to its remarkable capacity to elicit a wide range of emotional and intellectual responses from viewers. Art, at its core, strives to evoke an emotional and intellectual connection with its audience, to inspire contemplation, introspection, and discussion. What sets “Comedian” apart is that it transcends the physical components of a banana, duct tape, and a certificate of authenticity. Instead, it invites the collective participation of all individuals involved. This is proven by the fact that Cattelan’s gallery’s Instagram post states, “We would like to warmly thank all those who participated in this memorable adventure.” This shows that the crowds who eagerly flocked to witness “Comedian,” the public’s response, the creation of memes, the media coverage, and the public’s thoughts and interpretations of the piece all served to enhance its significance by making it more renowned, ultimately elevating its value. As French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas once observed, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Therefore, this ability to evoke a range of emotional and intellectual responses is a testament to the power and significance of “Comedian” as a work of art.

Some may argue that conceptual artworks, being broadly defined, allow anyone to claim anything, even ideas alone, as art. This leads to a situation where the boundaries of right and wrong become unclear. However, such uncertainty is precisely what should be encouraged in art. Even if an artwork consists of ideas alone or seemingly meaningless objects, it deserves appreciation and should be treated with the same respect as other, more traditional forms of art. The broad definition of art stems from the core elements of creativity and imagination. Anything, from a painting or a sculpture to an object or an idea, can be considered art as long as it involves these qualities and provokes a response from those considering it. Therefore, we should no longer confine ourselves to societal norms in order for innovation and creation to take place. Consequently, Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” should be recognized as art.

In conclusion, Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian” should be recognized as art because it possesses a high market value, it demonstrates the expression of human creative skill and imagination, and it is able to evoke a wide range of emotional and intellectual responses from viewers. It is important to remember that the definition of art is subjective and can evolve over time. What is considered art can vary from person to person, and that is one of the qualities that makes art so special. Let us liberate ourselves from the constraints of societal norms and embrace all forms of creativity, even those that may appear as mere concepts or seemingly insignificant objects. By doing so, we can foster a deeper appreciation for the boundless realm of artistic expression.