Auction of Duct-Taped Cheeto Puff Inspired by $6.2 Million Banana Art Sale.
The auction of a duct-taped Cheeto Puff is an example of art inspired by the 2019 sale of a banana duct-taped to a wall, which fetched $120,000 at a contemporary art auction. This banana piece, titled Comedian, was created by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, and it sparked much discussion about the value of art in the modern world, with many questioning whether the work's worth was tied to its concept or its novelty.
Building on this viral moment, the duct-taped Cheeto Puff auction came into the spotlight. It was part of an online art auction, and the Cheeto Puff, as a playful homage to the banana artwork, was presented as a unique "artistic" item. Just like the banana, the Cheeto was affixed to a wall with duct tape, mimicking Cattelan's piece but adding an element of humor by using an everyday snack.
The Cheeto Puff auction quickly drew attention, highlighting the absurdity and satirical commentary on the growing trend of high-priced conceptual art that relies more on novelty and social commentary than traditional notions of craftsmanship.
This auction reflected the shift in how we perceive value in art, particularly in the realm of conceptual art where the idea or concept can become as important, if not more so, than the actual object itself.
The Cheeto Puff auction was a playful riff on the idea of how the art world can sometimes elevate the absurd to extraordinary prices, much like the banana duct-taped to the wall.
There have been several other bizarre and unusual items auctioned off over the years that have captured public attention. Here are a few examples:
1. Shredded Banksy Artwork (2018)
In one of the most famous art auctions in recent memory, a piece by the elusive British artist Banksy titled Girl with a Balloon was sold at Sotheby’s for over $1 million. Immediately after the hammer fell, the artwork began to shred itself via a hidden shredder within the frame. The stunt was intended as a statement about the commercialization of art, and it was later retitled Love is in the Bin. The artwork’s value actually increased after the shredding, making it an iconic moment in art history.
2. Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Virgin Mary (2004)
A grilled cheese sandwich featuring a pattern that resembled the Virgin Mary was auctioned on eBay for a staggering $28,000. The seller claimed it was a religious miracle, and the sandwich sparked a bizarre bidding war before it was sold to the highest bidder. It has since been preserved in a plastic case.
3. Shakespeare’s Hair (2007)
A lock of hair purportedly belonging to William Shakespeare was auctioned off at Christie's for over £3,000 (about $5,000). The authenticity of the hair was debated, but it was still a highly unusual item for auction. Such items are often sold as historical curiosities, though their true provenance can be murky.
4. Napoleon’s Penis (1977)
In a rather macabre and bizarre auction, Napoleon Bonaparte's preserved penis was sold at a New York auction in 1977 for $3,000. The relic was allegedly removed during an autopsy and kept by a priest before being passed through various owners. This strange artifact remains one of the more unusual items ever to be auctioned.
5. A Piece of the Berlin Wall (Various)
Many pieces of the Berlin Wall, the symbol of the Cold War's division of East and West Germany, have been sold at auction. However, one particular piece, a segment of the wall once used as a canvas for graffiti, was auctioned for over $2.5 million in 2008. These fragments, while symbolic, are considered highly valuable historical curiosities.
6. The “Invisible” Sculpture (2021)
Italian artist Salvatore Garau auctioned an "invisible sculpture" called Io Sono (I Am) for $18,000. The work, described as a "vacuum," was essentially an empty space where the art was meant to exist. The buyer was essentially purchasing the idea or concept of the sculpture rather than a physical object, much like other forms of conceptual art.
7. A "Haunted" Doll (Various)
There have been multiple auctions featuring so-called "haunted" dolls, with some selling for thousands of dollars. These dolls are often advertised as being cursed or possessing paranormal energies. While the authenticity of such claims is always in question, the bizarre nature of the auctions and the cult-like following they generate makes them intriguing.
8. A Half-Eaten Pizza by John Lennon (1999)
In an unusual auction, a half-eaten pizza slice from a meal shared with John Lennon was sold for around $1,000. The slice was saved by the person who dined with Lennon in 1977, and while the pizza was long past its prime, its association with the famous Beatle made it a collector’s item.
These examples highlight how the world of auctions can occasionally veer into the absurd, with people willing to pay surprising amounts for unusual, quirky, or even downright bizarre items.
