Comedian
Italian Artist
Cattelan is primarily known for hyperrealist sculptures and installations. Cattelan often has a satirical approach to art that has put him in the public eye and under much scrutiny in the fine art world.
Big Idea/Subject:
Value of Art
Major Theme:
Visual Culture
Medium/Presentation: Banana, Duct-Tape
Visual Components:
Line, Color
Category:
Non-Art
Description/Interpretation:
The piece is an actual banana, with duct-tape crossing the piece diagonally. The tape holds the piece to the wall. I believe Cattelan is questioning and commenting on the world of fine art. The world and our culture has always placed such high value on works of art, and I believe this piece is making a mockery of this idea. The banana is perishable, and it sold for $120,000. With this piece, argument could be made about anything being art.
Use in Teaching:
This piece could be used in the discussion about visual culture and non-art. It is important for students to understand that art exists outside of museums, but is this an example of that or is it mocking art? For a project, I would have students make their own sculpture out of every day non-art objects. I would have them choose an object they believe doesn’t qualify as art (like the banana) and turn it into a piece of art, whatever that means to them. What turns something to art? Students can paint the object, frame it, mount it, etc. There will be a dialogue about what qualifies as art, and what must be done to an object in order to qualify it as art.
Guiding Questions:
1) What do you think Cattelan was trying to say with this piece?
2) Why do you think the owners spent so much money on it?
3) Do you think this piece is valuable in the art community?
4) What makes this art? Or is it?
