The Centre Pompidou Metz, a branch of the iconic Parisian museum in eastern France, has filed a criminal complaint after the theft of Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual artwork Comedian—a banana affixed to a wall with duct tape. The piece, valued at €5.8 million, was reported missing on Sunday when a security guard noticed its absence.
In a statement, the museum confirmed it has replaced the banana (a routine procedure every three days to keep the fruit fresh) and lodged a complaint against persons unknown. The decision to pursue legal action stems from the perpetrator's anonymity, which precludes any possibility of dialogue. "This is the second time this has happened," the museum noted, adding that the theft reflects a lack of respect for the artwork.
A History of Edible Provocations
Cattelan's Comedian first debuted at the 2019 Art Basel show in Miami Beach with an asking price of $120,000, sparking debate about the nature and value of art. The piece consists of a banana—any banana—fixed 1.72 metres above the floor and tilted at a 37-degree angle, per a precise hanging protocol. Its value lies in a certificate of authenticity and the protocol itself, not the perishable fruit.
The work has been consumed multiple times. In 2019, performance artist David Datuna ate the banana at Art Basel, claiming he felt "hungry." In July 2023, a visitor to the Pompidou-Metz ate the fruit, prompting Cattelan to express disappointment that the tape was not also consumed. The museum did not take legal action then. Another incident occurred in Seoul in 2023. In 2024, Chinese-born crypto founder Justin Sun purchased an iteration for €5.8 million and ate it on camera in Hong Kong, highlighting the absurdity and protocol-driven nature of the work.
Cattelan, known for other provocative pieces like the 18-carat gold toilet America—offered to Donald Trump during his first term—continues to explore themes of value and absurdity. That toilet was stolen from an exhibition in the UK in 2020; two men were convicted, but the gold was never recovered.
The theft at Pompidou-Metz comes amid broader discussions about art security and cultural value in France. The museum's decision to file a complaint underscores a growing frustration with repeated incidents. For now, the banana has been replaced, and the exhibition continues.
