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The Art Assignment

The $150,000 Banana

Season 6 Episode 18 | 11m 51s

Artist Maurizio Cattelan duct taped a banana to a wall, titled it "Comedian", and sold 5 editions of the artwork for as much as $150,000 each. Why did it capture our attention, curiosity, and memes? What does it mean?

Aired: 01/02/20
Extras
Watch • 5:25
The Art Assignment
Make a Book with Meat (or other atypical materials)
Artist and designer Ben Denzer shares an assignment to make an ATYPICAL BOOK.
Episode: S6 E32 | 5:25
Watch • 13:04
The Art Assignment
The Definition of Art
What is art? How do we define art?
Episode: S6 E31 | 13:04
Watch • 6:50
The Art Assignment
Make a Cut-Out with Cécile McLorin Salvant
She shares an art assignment on creating your own Theme and Variation Cut-Out.
Episode: S6 E28 | 6:50
Watch • 9:32
The Art Assignment
Art That Was Never Finished
John Green shares some of his favorite unfinished artworks.
Episode: S6 E29 | 9:32
Watch • 11:38
The Art Assignment
Art That Brings Me Comfort
What art that brings you comfort right now?
Episode: S6 E26 | 11:38
Watch • 6:14
The Art Assignment
Art Made in Adversity
Allison Smith shares her thoughts and books about art made in adverse circumstances.
Episode: S6 E27 | 6:14
Watch • 9:55
The Art Assignment
Creativity is Overrated
You don't need to be creative or inspired to make art.
Episode: S6 E25 | 9:55
Watch • 9:26
The Art Assignment
What This Painting Tells Us About Frida Kahlo
We take a close look at her painting The Two Fridas (Las Dos Fridas).
Episode: S6 E24 | 9:26
Watch • 12:35
The Art Assignment
What Makes a Masterpiece?
What do we mean when we call an artwork a MASTERPIECE? Who decides which art becomes one?
Episode: S6 E23 | 12:35
Watch • 12:45
The Art Assignment
The Case for Video Games
Video Games are fun, but are they art?
Episode: S6 E22 | 12:45
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • The Art Assignment Season 6
  • The Art Assignment Season 5
  • The Art Assignment Season 4
  • The Art Assignment Season 3
  • The Art Assignment Season 2
  • The Art Assignment Season 1
Watch • 5:25
The Art Assignment
Make a Book with Meat (or other atypical materials)
Artist and designer Ben Denzer shares an assignment to make an ATYPICAL BOOK.
Episode: S6 E32 | 5:25
Watch • 13:04
The Art Assignment
The Definition of Art
What is art? How do we define art?
Episode: S6 E31 | 13:04
Watch • 6:50
The Art Assignment
Make a Cut-Out with Cécile McLorin Salvant
She shares an art assignment on creating your own Theme and Variation Cut-Out.
Episode: S6 E28 | 6:50
Watch • 9:32
The Art Assignment
Art That Was Never Finished
John Green shares some of his favorite unfinished artworks.
Episode: S6 E29 | 9:32
Watch • 11:38
The Art Assignment
Art That Brings Me Comfort
What art that brings you comfort right now?
Episode: S6 E26 | 11:38
Watch • 6:14
The Art Assignment
Art Made in Adversity
Allison Smith shares her thoughts and books about art made in adverse circumstances.
Episode: S6 E27 | 6:14
Watch • 9:55
The Art Assignment
Creativity is Overrated
You don't need to be creative or inspired to make art.
Episode: S6 E25 | 9:55
Watch • 9:26
The Art Assignment
What This Painting Tells Us About Frida Kahlo
We take a close look at her painting The Two Fridas (Las Dos Fridas).
Episode: S6 E24 | 9:26
Watch • 12:35
The Art Assignment
What Makes a Masterpiece?
What do we mean when we call an artwork a MASTERPIECE? Who decides which art becomes one?
Episode: S6 E23 | 12:35
Watch • 12:45
The Art Assignment
The Case for Video Games
Video Games are fun, but are they art?
Episode: S6 E22 | 12:45