When two editions of the piece promptly sold for $182,612, the vendors decided to offer the third and final piece for $228,265. At least two institutions are reportedly interest in purchasing it.
However, potential owners have not been given and advice on what to do if the work begins to decompose. "If the banana moulds, a decision on that will be made on site," the gallery said.
Entitled "Comedian", the artwork is comprised of a banana purchased in a Miami supermarket and held to the wall with a single piece of duct tape.
Despite the title of the piece, Perrotin insists the work is not a joke, with everything from the shape of the banana to its placement in the installation given a great deal of consideration.
Cattelan himself has offered no direction on how to interpret the work, but MrPerrotin previously told CNN the bananas are "a symbol of global trade, a double entendre, as well as a classic device for humour".
The installation has fast become one of the most talked-about works at this year's Art Basel, with several viewers lining up to take selfies with the piece. One passerby was heard declaring the work "the best of the show". However some art fans were less than impressed, with one, Weezie Chandler, telling local media: "You can do anything and once you're established you can get away with it."
The gallery said Cattelan spent a year working on the piece and had originally envisioned a sculpture shaped like a banana.
"Every time he travelled, he brought a banana with him and hung it in his hotel room to find inspiration. He made several models: first in resin, then in bronze and in painted bronze," the gallery said in a statement.
Ultimately, the gallery said, Cattelan decided a real banana was the perfect fit.
- Telegraph UK
