In a curious development, bananas have been spotted taped to various locations around the village of Sonning in Berkshire, capturing the attention of art enthusiasts and locals alike. This peculiar installation is the handiwork of artist Impro, an Oxfordshire resident known for his avant-garde projects. The bananas are a nod to the renowned artwork 'Comedian' by Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan, which fetched a staggering $6.2 million (£4.9 million) at auction in New York last November. The original piece was purchased by Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun.
Impro, who often uses Sonning as a backdrop for his creations, claimed responsibility for this latest artistic endeavor. The bananas artwork has drawn international interest, even catching the eye of famous illusionist Uri Geller, who expressed his astonishment at the installation.
"I have never seen anything like this anywhere in the world. It's a new one on me." – Uri Geller
Impro's installation humorously suggests that the sale of just one banana artwork could finance a new church roof for Sonning's residents, emphasizing the perceived value of his creation.
"The sale of just one of these masterpieces would be more than enough to get them their new church roof and to Sonningians I would say, 'you're welcome!'" – Impro
Impro estimates the total worth of his banana artworks at auction to be £24.8 million. He emphatically stated his intention behind this project.
"Enough of the japes and pranks! This time I have graced Sonning with bona fide, international standard fine art worth in total £24.8m at auction." – Impro
This isn't Impro's first venture into public art installations in Sonning. In previous years, he attached a phone, postbox, and door to the side of Sonning Bridge and once positioned a large red Google Maps pin on the A4155 Reading to Henley road in 2014. His works often blend humor with social commentary, drawing curiosity and amusement from passersby.
The bananas taped around Sonning serve as both an homage to Cattelan's 'Comedian' and a playful critique of the art world's valuation systems. While some view it as a light-hearted prank, others appreciate it as a thought-provoking piece of modern art.
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