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The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That: A Baffling Bonanza of Ridiculous and Unbelievable Transactions

Robert Frost

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In a world where logic often seems to take a backseat, the realm of buying and selling can sometimes become a surreal and bewildering place. While most of us strive to acquire items that have tangible value or practical use, there exists a peculiar breed of individuals who have managed to sell the most absurd and seemingly worthless objects for astonishing sums of money.

The Dumb Things Sold...Just like that

by Al Hesselbart

4.2 out of 5

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Prepare yourself for a mind-boggling journey into the bizarre and inexplicable world of dumb things sold just like that. From a single banana taped to a wall to an ethereal fart in a jar, these stories will leave you questioning the sanity of some individuals and the absurd value that can be attached to seemingly worthless objects.

A Banana Taped to a Wall: $120,000

A Banana Taped To A Wall On Display At Art Basel Miami. The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That

In 2019, the art world was sent into a frenzy when Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan unveiled his latest masterpiece: a single banana taped to a wall. Entitled "Comedian," the piece quickly became the talk of Art Basel Miami, with its simplicity and absurdity simultaneously captivating and confounding viewers.

To the astonishment of many, one brave soul decided to purchase the groundbreaking work for a cool $120,000. The buyer, a French collector named Emmanuel Perrotin, defended his acquisition, stating that the banana represented a commentary on consumerism and the ephemeral nature of the art market.

An Ethereal Fart in a Jar: $750

A Jar Filled With An Ethereal Fart Released By Artist Alex Da Corte The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That — American artist Alex Da Corte sold an ethereal fart in a jar for $750 as part of his exhibition at New York's Karma International gallery.

In the realm of the truly bizarre, American artist Alex Da Corte takes the cake with his 2016 artwork titled "Fart Jar." The piece consists of a glass jar filled with an "ethereal fart." Yes, you read that correctly.

Da Corte collected the flatulence in a custom-designed apparatus and sealed it in a jar, creating a unique and unforgettable olfactory experience. Surprisingly, one art enthusiast was so captivated by the concept that they parted with $750 to acquire the jarred fart.

A Bag of Vacuum Cleaner Dust: $3,100

A Plastic Bag Filled With The Dust Collected From Vacuum Cleaning Artist James Dyson's Studio. The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That

Contemporary artist Lucy Sparrow has a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary. In 2015, she created a series of sculptures using everyday household items, including a bag of vacuum cleaner dust.

Sparrow collected the dust from the studio of renowned inventor James Dyson and packaged it in a plastic bag. The unexpected artwork caught the attention of a buyer who was willing to pay $3,100 for this unusual and, let's face it, rather dirty piece.

A Single Tooth: $23,000

A Single Human Tooth Extracted From The Mouth Of John Lennon. The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That — A single tooth extracted from the mouth of legendary musician John Lennon was sold at auction for $23,000.

The memorabilia market is often a strange and unpredictable place, where the most bizarre items can fetch exorbitant prices. In 2011, a single tooth extracted from the mouth of legendary musician John Lennon went under the hammer for a staggering $23,000.

The tooth was removed from Lennon's mouth during a dental procedure in 1964. The buyer of the tooth, a Canadian dentist, planned to display the artifact in his office as a tribute to the iconic singer-songwriter.

A Ghost: $30,000

A Photograph Of A Ghost Like Figure Floating In The Air. The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That

For those who believe in the supernatural, the allure of owning something paranormal can be irresistible. In 2014, paranormal enthusiast Zak Bagans paid a hefty sum of $30,000 for a photograph of a ghost-like figure.

The photograph, taken in 1982, depicts a shadowy figure floating in the air. Bagans, who is known for his investigations of haunted locations, believes that the image captured a genuine supernatural entity.

An Invisible Sculpture: $18,300

An Empty Pedestal With A Sign That Reads, 'You Are Not Here.' The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That — Artist Yves Klein sold an invisible sculpture titled "Zone de Sensibilité Picturale Immatérielle" for $18,300.

In the realm of conceptual art, the boundaries of what constitutes an artwork can be pushed to the limits. In 1959, French artist Yves Klein created an invisible sculpture titled "Zone de Sensibilité Picturale Immatérielle" (Zone of Immaterial Pictorial Sensitivity).

The artwork consisted of nothing more than an empty pedestal. Klein sold the concept of the invisible sculpture for $18,300, arguing that the work existed in the space around the pedestal and the immaterial realm of the buyer's imagination.

The world of the absurd is vast and ever-expanding, and the items sold just like that serve as a testament to the strange and wonderful ways in which humans value and purchase objects.

Whether it's a banana taped to a wall or an ethereal fart in a jar, these ridiculous transactions remind us that value is often subjective and that the boundaries of what can be bought and sold are constantly being pushed.

So, the next time you find yourself questioning the sanity of the art world or the excessive prices paid for seemingly worthless items, remember these dumb things sold just like that and embrace the baffling bonanza of the absurd.

The Dumb Things Sold...Just like that

by Al Hesselbart

4.2 out of 5