Justin Sun, the founder of TRON, has announced plans to purchase 100,000 bananas from Shah Alam’s fruit stand in New York City’s Upper East Side. Sun, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency space, shared that these bananas would be distributed globally for free, with recipients needing to present a valid ID to claim one banana while supplies last.
The purchase follows the viral sale of a single banana from Alam’s stand, which became part of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork and sold at auction for $6.2 million.
Celebrating everyday life and art
In a public statement, Sun emphasized the connection between ordinary objects and their potential to transcend into meaningful works of art. He praised Shah Alam’s unintentional contribution to Cattelan’s high-profile installation, describing the event as reflecting how art can emerge from daily life.
Sun expressed gratitude to Alam, noting that the fruit seller’s involvement highlighted the artistic possibilities within ordinary experiences. The TRON founder also shared his excitement about bringing this unique story to a global audience. He mentioned his plans to visit Alam’s fruit stand to thank him for his unexpected role in the historic artwork.
Auction highlights and Alam’s role
The now-famous banana originated from Alam’s modest fruit stand near Sotheby’s auction house, where he sells bananas for just 35 cents each. Last week, one of these bananas became the focal point of Cattelan’s latest artwork, titled “Comedian,” and fetched an extraordinary price of $5.2 million at auction, with an additional $1 million in fees. Alam, a 74-year-old vendor who works long shifts for hourly wages, expressed disbelief over the sale, reportedly asking whether the buyer understood what a banana was.
The auction’s success reflects a continuation of Cattelan’s 2019 art project, in which bananas were sold and then replaced as part of the performance. Sun has announced plans to eat one of the bananas in the “Comedian” series on November 29 at 2:00 PM GMT+8 to celebrate its cultural significance.
A global artistic gesture
Justin Sun’s decision to purchase 100,000 bananas from Alam is a unique blend of philanthropy and art appreciation. He aims to share the symbolic meaning of the artwork by distributing the bananas freely. This move underscores how art and everyday life can intersect to create extraordinary stories. Meanwhile, Cattelan acknowledged Alam’s surprise and emotional reaction to the artwork’s success, calling it a reminder of how art can resonate in deeply personal and unexpected ways.