Hong Kong, China – Chinese cryptocurrency magnate Justin Sun made headlines last week after acquiring a controversial $6.2 million art piece by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The piece, titled “Comedian,” consists of a fresh banana duct taped to a wall and attracted attention worldwide.
Instead of letting the art piece simply hang on a wall, Sun decided to consume the banana on Friday, proudly sharing the experience on his social media accounts. In a post, Sun expressed his thoughts on the taste of the banana, comparing it to historical varieties like the elusive Big Mike bananas known for their unique flavor.
In a magnanimous gesture, Sun promised to purchase 100,000 bananas to distribute for free to customers of Shah Alam, the 74-year-old fruit stand employee who originally sold him the banana used in the art piece for a mere 25 cents. However, logistical challenges were pointed out by Alam, noting the modest profit margins on bananas and his status as an employee not the owner of the fruit stand.
This isn’t Sun’s first foray into high-priced acquisitions. In the past, he secured a $4.8 million lunch with Warren Buffett and invested $28 million to be on Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, although the latter experience was ultimately canceled. Sun’s eccentric spending habits continue to draw attention to his unconventional approach to investments and entertainment.
Overall, Sun’s latest antics involving a banana art piece have sparked discussions about the intersection of art, wealth, and consumption, shining a spotlight on the extravagant world of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their unique endeavors.