as individual as you are

Members: LOG IN

Mary Lawler Art Blog

 

Work Of Art, Reality TV

by marylawler , June 28, 2010—12:00 AM

Topics: art, art commentary, art competition, emerging artists, reality tv, skill challenges

I was fully prepared to dislike this show when I first heard about its conception over a year ago and I was not disappointed. Stereotypical, pretentious and formulaic, packed with tension filled pauses while we wait to see who gets eliminated, is so predictable. You mean to tell me that Sarah Jessica Parker couldn't come up with a "reality show" concept that broke the format, not even a little? The contestants were carefully chosen to represent what TV feels is an accurate cross section of our culture. One senior, one black, one nervous, one over confident, one rebel, one starving, one with attitude and of course, one with boobs. I actually heard several artists roll over in their graves.

14 artists compete for a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum and a $100,000.00 cash prize. With the exception of one photographer, all were painters, furthering the idea that artist = painter and that making it in the art world seems to be confined to New York City, it's galleries, museums, critics, consultants and collectors. This is not to say these contestants are not talented, they most certainly are, some of them in multiple disciplines. The young man who described himself as "self taught" was thrown to the wolves at the get go, and yet Amanda gets canned for not being able to defend her work as a portrait.

The interview snippets sound about as spontaneous as a Soap Opera script and their behind the scenes comments are as set up as it gets, appropriately scattered with backbiting and gossiping. How natural can you be if you are miked all the time with a camera in your face?

The judges are presumably knowledgeable, active in the NYC art scene. I hate to say it but I like the judges, everything they said, every observation they made had sense and depth. Our hostess, China Chow is dramatically stoic and reminded me of the woman on The Weakest Link. Maybe Julie Chen was busy.

I have heard the argument that anything that gets "art" in front of the public eye is a good thing. Well if this is the art world, and this is representative of acceptance and success, you can keep it.

To watch full episodes and join in the discussion, join us at MyArtId.ning.com.

 

COMMENTS

 
1

  Dee

08/15/2010 * 23:11:51

I could not understand what all the sex was about here it is a family show and the young guy jacks off on his mickey mouse artwork and how many nude photographs of the gal who like to disappeared to the bathroom to take pictures of herself masterbating. Im sorry not a prude but this isnt what i was taught in art school. I hated it! but i was hoping it would get better. I'm glad at who won, his statues were beautiful but i hope there isnt a second season. what i do know is no one can really judge art for it comes from the soul, what one person might love and have a gut reaction, the guy next to him might dislike it. everyone's a critic isnt that what were told? i just know keep painting what you love and are passionate about even if it's masterbation etc, but just not in a family show

 
2

  Pamela Wellington ( homepage )

08/04/2010 * 13:41:54

I love the show. It's definitely reality if you have been to art school and have shown your work. The artists are from various disciplines, all are talented, and many are really very good. Yes, it is formula, but it is intriguing, follows the artist's process, and allows for very differing opinions and argument. The judges vary from week to week and I greatly dislike "Simon". If this makes it to a second season let's hope he is replaced.

 
3

  Aaron ( homepage )

07/15/2010 * 00:12:17

"The young man who described himself as "self taught" was thrown to the wolves at the get go"

You were so right about this show. Why didn't I listen.

What they did to the "self taught" artist, with obvious problems with social skills, as the result of a motorcycle accident (I believe) was just wrong. They certainly threw him to the wolves on the latest episode. He said he wishes he had been eliminated on the first show because of his clown portrait on an easel. I couldn't agree more and I am so done with this pretentious show.

Why didn't I listen!

 
4

  max max

07/07/2010 * 15:01:22

insulting show. it could be quality with art and artists showing art and respect. but SJP would have to be interested in that.

 
5

  Aaron ( homepage )

07/05/2010 * 17:50:04

I haven't gotten the impression that all but one of the participants are primarily painters. One of who I think is a top contender is a primarily a sculptor. There is a (was) conceptual artist, illustrator, (was a) performance artist, silk-screen artist and as you said the photographer.

Yes, Amanda got the boot in the first episode because she did an abstract portrait, but as with life you never know what direction things will go. With a different set of judges she could have won that contest. Personally I don't think her piece was very strong and I don't remember if I thought she was the weakest link that day or not.

I do find the show formulaic and typical, even on the lower end of the genre, but at the same time as an artist I also find it interesting and captivating. As one never knows how one would react if put in the same situation it is interesting to see how they react as individuals. And since art is subjective I also find it interesting to see how the judges opinions differ from or coincide with mine.

All in all, not a ground breaking effort but I make a point to watch it every week so I can learn something new.

 
6

  Carolyn Weltman ( homepage )

07/05/2010 * 16:41:14

ps i also found it impossible to sign up for the ning site

 
7

  Carolyn Weltman ( homepage )

07/05/2010 * 16:35:35

i agree, its an insulting show. i was an extra for one of the programs (the one where most of the would be artists chose sex as a way to shock us - if you know my art, you would understand how that would upset me.)

i think what distresses me most is that the winner will be given a show at the brooklyn museum and there are so many more deserving and hard working artists out there who will never get that opportunity. what a funny world we really do live in.

 
8

  Mary-Sonya Conti ( homepage )

06/29/2010 * 19:30:58

can't get signed up for the ning site. Will take your word for the critic.

What Do You Think? Leave a comment!

Name
Email
URL
Message
Code Check
 

Verification — Please type in the code you see in the image above. This helps us defeat automated programs that try to post "comment spam" (unwanted advertisements).