Is the Art World Going Bananas?

A banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $5.2 million at Sotheby's auction this week. Yes, you read that right! Fruit stuck to a wall with duct tape (both of which, according to the display instructions on its certificate of authenticity, are to be replaced with new ones whenever necessary) is now multi-million dollar level art. But this isn't the first time the art world has gone off the rails. Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" is just the latest in a series of outrageous art sales, from animals preserved in formaldehyde to invisible sculptures. These so-called "masterpieces" leave true artists in the dust, struggling to compete with these abominations that due to sheer outrageousness steal their spotlight. From Duchamp's urinal to Koons's balloon dogs, we've seen a steady decline in artistic skill and a rise in shock value. It's as if the art world is actively trying to outdo itself with each passing year.

From Duchamp to Duct Tape

The decline of traditional artistic talent can be traced back to Marcel Duchamp's infamous "Fountain" in 1917, a porcelain urinal that redefined art as anything an artist could conceptualize. While revolutionary, it opened the floodgates for generations of artists to prioritize shock value over skill. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves admiring bananas on walls, questioning what happened to genuine artistic prowess.

Blasphemous Comparisons: A Disrespect to True Talent

It’s almost blasphemous to place these objects in the same category as the works of Renaissance or Dutch masters. Think of the painstaking detail in a Vermeer or the anatomical precision in a Michelangelo. Many historical treasures often fetch less hammer prices at auctions compared to contemporary spectacles that require minimal effort.

It’s also an insult to the virtuosity and dedication of true contemporary artists. It's a slap in the face to the countless talented artists who dedicate their lives to their craft, only to be overshadowed by such nonsense. While these "artists" rake in millions for their gimmicks, true masters of their craft struggle to find recognition and support.

A Lost Generation of Artists

Let's be honest, a banana taped to a wall is not art. It's a publicity stunt. It's a mockery of the centuries-old tradition of artistic expression. The title "Comedian" itself, suggests that the artist knows exactly what he is doing, and that he does it because he know he can. It's a sad state of affairs when a piece of fruit is accepted as serious art that can command such a high price tag. While the art world is obsessed with the latest fad, countless talented artists are being overlooked and overshadowed at major art fairs and sales. These artists, who spend years honing their craft, often go unnoticed because the spotlight is stolen by scandalous offerings like Cattelan's produce or those by Damien Hirst or Salvatore Garau, that are masquerading as art. Collectors are distracted by the next big "statement piece," leaving genuine talent to battle for scraps of attention.

A Silver Lining

The art world is busy glorifying these absurdities, we have the chance to discover and acquire incredible works by truly skilled artists at surprisingly affordable prices. With so much focus on the outrageous, we can often discover hidden gems that are undervalued and overlooked. In a sea of disingenuous art, let’s seize the opportunity to curate collections that celebrate real mastery. These true diamonds will shine bright long after their infamous counterparts are exposed for what they truly are...a PR scam. So, let's embrace this opportunity to build our collections with works of true artistic merit.

Happy hunting, and may your collection be filled with the brilliance of true talent!