Ep 5. Adam Ruins Art

Adam Ruins Art is the fifth episode of the third season of the popular truTV series, Adam Ruins Everything. In this episode, Adam Conover, the show's host, takes on the art world. Adam sets out to reveal the truth behind some of the most commonly held beliefs about art, including why modern art is so expensive, why art auctions are rigged, and why art museums are not as accessible as they seem.

At the start of the episode, Adam challenges the notion that modern art is only for the wealthy elite. He delves into the history of modern art and the role that wealthy collectors and museums have played in elevating its value. However, he also shows how this has led to artificial inflation of the worth of some artists' work, and how other artists and their art remain undervalued because they are not part of the elite club.

Next, Adam sets his sights on art auctions. He reveals that art auctions are not the fair, open bidding wars that they are often portrayed as. In reality, the auction houses themselves often set the prices of the artwork through secret deals with the sellers. Additionally, many auction houses use tactics such as shill bidding to inflate the prices of the pieces they're selling, making it more difficult for real, genuine bidders to win the piece they want. Adam proves this by jamming his own auction, exposing the collusion and corruption between the auction house and the sellers.

Finally, the episode turns its attention to art museums. Adam challenges the notion that museums are bastions of culture that are open to everyone. In reality, many museums are funded by wealthy donors who often have a say in which works of art are exhibited. This means that art that is critical of the wealthy, or of the powers that be, is often left out. Adam also highlights how museums are often inaccessible to people with disabilities, despite their supposed commitment to inclusivity. In order to make culture truly accessible for everyone, Adam proposes a different model of art ownership and distribution, one that doesn't rely on the whims of the wealthy.

Throughout the episode, Adam and a team of experts provide interesting insights and surprising facts about the art world. They demonstrate how the myths and misconceptions surrounding art have made it less accessible to everyone, and how we can change things for the better. By the end of the episode, Adam Ruins Art shows that art is not just for the wealthy elite, and that everyone should have access to it.