Artlog

So, Work of Art is, like, Intervention, but with Artists. Right? 06/10

When the art-market crashed and artists were sent tumbling out of galleries, it was only a matter of time before a(nother) art reality TV show came along to sweep up some shattered hopes. Like with Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame—this new show spearheaded by Sarah Jessica Parker—is attempting to lure us into the belief that projects presented by a panel of notables will get an artist into their graces and their name up on a marquee. That somehow, the general desperation for acceptance and fame paired with technology’s ability to construct popularity at warp speed will numb an artist’s sensibility just enough that they’ll drop their pursuit of integrity for the chance at winning a thin show at the Brooklyn Museum and $100,000.    

Whatever happened to an artist building a language to connect to a public? What about their ability to reveal a masked truth, an undercurrent of thought, or poke fun at a social construct? What about craft and communicating with substance? Similar to other reality shows, we’re brought face-to face with a base understanding of what a person is.  In this case, an artist’s creative struggle is identified as a trigger for their addiction and need for attention.  Or is that a disorder of the panelists, mentor and judges?

Art doesn’t stem from a place of competition or an ability to manipulate your personality to gain screen time—although the artist as personality is part of a successful creative construct.  There’s a reason why art engages a viewer and can challenge one’s established beliefs—it’s in effort to build a heightened sense of awareness. Plus, an artist who communicates with their artistic tenents intact and with strength and substance doesn’t need to win a challenge, gain immunity and move to the next round—they just do it naturally.

Turn away from the flash in the pan and engage with some great work—plan a gallery run (like over to Bortolami’s Eric Wesley show which is brilliant), read about the the work of Doh Ho Suh or the installation and video work of Kim Sooja.  Better still, head up to Times Square and claim your Key to the City. Just for fun, though, let’s all whisper a bedtime prayer that William Powhida will be watching this show and is painting a new body of work based on each little digital detail.