Apple Duct-Taped to Wall Goes Viral, Sells for $35,000

In a whimsical take on the contemporary art world, a red apple duct-taped to a wall has sold for an astounding $35,000 at an online auction. The piece, titled Core of Capitalism, was listed by an anonymous artist who described it as a commentary on "consumer culture and our obsession with impermanence."

The artwork consists of a single, glossy red apple held to a blank white wall by a strip of blue duct tape. According to the artist's statement, the apple symbolizes "the fleeting nature of desire," while the tape represents "our human attempt to preserve what inevitably fades."

This sale draws immediate comparisons to Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous Comedian, the banana duct-taped to a wall that sold for $120,000 in 2019. Much like Comedian, the apple artwork has sparked debate over the definition of art and the value placed on conceptual works.

The apple artwork first gained traction when a photo of it was posted to Instagram, quickly attracting millions of views and sparking memes. Comments ranged from admiration for its simplicity to skepticism about its artistic merit. One commenter quipped, "An apple a day keeps the critics away." The auction, held on a niche art platform, received bids from collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. The winning bidder remains unnamed but will receive a certificate of authenticity and instructions to replace the apple if it starts to rot—an element intentionally left to the discretion of the owner.