"Work of Art: The Next Great Artist"

17 June 2010

Episode 1: Self-Reflexive

Produced by: Simon de Pury and Sarah Jessica Parker

Judges: Bill Powers, Jerry Saltz, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, China Chow

"Next Top Model." Sure, I buy it. There can be one top model per year. "American Idol." Yes, pop stars can take over the billboard in a flash and leave faster than they came. "The Next Great Artist." Hmmm. So who's the current Great Artist? Great, as in a household name? Great, as in dead? Great, as in making billions of dollars or showing at the most prestigious museums? The new BRAVO reality TV show is problematic in its title alone; a "great artist" cannot be quantified, and certainly cannot be fabricated from one season with China Chow ("I love art. Art is my passion") and Sarah Jessica Parker ("I'm an art enthusiast! Be brave, be competitive, and be yourself!"). Is this soon-to-be "Great Artist" going to take over Damien Hirst's gloating celebrity and knock out Mr. Brainwash as the fastest growing not-to-hot scam? $100k and a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum will decide.

The NYC contemporary art world is just one big fashion show anyways, so why not a reality TV show. Get all the big shot, blue chip players in one room with a dozen small town artists and one or two who've already made the cusp; it's bound to be more cut-throat than "The Bachelor." In a competition that rewards valuable creative expression, the artists are tripped at the gate with cramped living quarters and one shared studio space. Trapped like cattle in two-bed college dorm rooms, the handful of legitimate artists have no escape from manipulations and schemings of the "Work of Art" drama queens (ie. Nao: "I feel like I've already won, so I can be really generous with my criticism"). I'm all for constructive criticism to help an artist grow. But how could anyone produce something true to the heart when they are criticized by competitors and auction house tycoons through the entire artmaking process?

There are a few hints at something fishy throughout the first episode. Miles, who happens to be obsessive compulsive, blows a screen printing bulb and displays a mini freak-out. He has no chance at completing the portrait he had planned; thus one finicky bulb means the death of his budding art career. What is this, Shutter Island? Aren't there art supply stores in New York City? I'm troubled by Miles' inability to purchase a replacement bulb. He kicks things around and screams a little, so I suspect the self-imposed restraining order was all rigged for the spectacle.

Another inconsistency lies in the final "instant death" elimination ceremony. In the episode's previous critique, New York's most influential art leaders tore apart the clear "loser": a self taught artist (Erik) who blobbed primary colors over a photograph, which was then mounted on a painter's easel. It was clearly sub par, reflecting his lack of skill, experience, and voice. It might have been the first time Erik had seen a paintbrush. The judges tear into him like lionesses to a stray caribou fawn. Yet upon the elimination platform, Erik is granted another chance to prove himself, and a blah architect-turned-abstract painter (Amanda) is sent home. I can only speculate that Erik will be kept on the show long enough for his anger management issues to manifest into a modern "Van Gogh" inner struggle. Buying the judges like NY Magazine Arts editor (Jerry Saltz) and Half Gallery owner (Bill Powers) for cheap entertainment is slightly Big Brother for me.

The show's redeeming quality: critiques by three reputable, knowledgeable experts. I'm guessing their comments were edited down to be Simon Cowell as possible, and I regret we couldn't hear more. Jerry Saltz, Bill Powers, and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn are articulate, well versed, and experienced on delivering an effective critique. Oh, and there are two hot guys on the show.

I have a feeling this reality tv experiment will make fools out of the no-name ametuer artists involved. It will be a black mark on the credibility of each judge and even Monsier De Pury; and especially Sarah Jessica Parker (the clear authority figure on contemporary art). For the artists who have already staked some level of success, and maybe even developed a valuable voice and body of work, this show could be the end of their career. Would you trade a few minutes air time for a spot in art history books? Now that's Hollywood.

For further research:

• Watch Hulu episodes
• Meet the Artists
• Meet the judges 
• Cast Blogs

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