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Intelligence Squared

The Specialist | The Multi-Million Dollar Banana, with David Galperin

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.21.1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 September 2025

⏱️ 13 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This is an episode of The Specialist, produced by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian - an artwork that provoked scandal, sparked imagination, and upended the very definition of contemporary art. David Galperin, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman, Head of Contemporary Art for The Americas, examines the complexities and challenges that come with bringing such an ineffable and metaphysical artwork to auction. An artwork that dares to ask: who sets the value of art? The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles. Visit ⁠⁠⁠sothebys.com/sfs⁠⁠⁠ to find out more.To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at ⁠⁠⁠sothebys.com⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to Intelligence Squared where Great Minds meet. I'm head of programming Connor Boyle.

0:06.2

Today, something a little different, we're excited to share with you a hand-picked episode of a brand new series,

0:11.8

The Specialist, produced by Intelligence Squared, in partnership with Sotheby's. We've all heard the

0:17.1

stories of the record-breaking works, headline-grabbing auctions and moments that

0:21.7

shock the art world and beyond. But have you ever wondered what's happening behind the scenes?

0:26.9

What goes into valuing a masterpiece or who the people are really behind the gavel?

0:31.2

The specialist brings you art's most extraordinary stories, told by the experts who witnessed them

0:36.9

in short episodes, perfect for a weekend listen.

0:40.1

Now, over to the specialist.

0:43.0

If anything, the work itself is about the art market.

0:46.4

And so getting a sort of peek beneath the curtain as to the process of bringing a work like that to auction

0:50.9

actually reveals a lot about the dynamics of the market itself,

0:54.6

and I think speaks to the mechanics of what makes the artwork powerful.

0:58.9

And for me, it was a less interesting gut and instinct, and it was a reminder that pushing

1:03.8

the envelope a little bit can be sometimes the most rewarding thing.

1:09.1

Sotheby's is the temporary custodian of some of the world's most rare, remarkable and coveted

1:14.5

art and objects.

1:16.2

In each episode, we'll be exploring the significance and journey of an extraordinary work

1:21.1

told by those who know it best.

1:24.6

This is The Specialist.

1:27.0

No other artwork from the 21st century has provoked scandal, sparked imagination,

1:32.7

and upended the very definition of contemporary art like Mauritio Catalan's comedian.

...

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