Just in time for the Work of Art finale, this week at The L Magazine I reflect on watching the reality show that took up a little too much of my time this summer. The teaser below:
When people ask me how I spent my summer, “watching reality tv” isn’t the answer I’d like to give, even if it’s the truth. Tuning in to Work of Art, Bravo’s latest in creative challenge shows like Project Runway and Top Chef, has consumed what should have been slower months, with viewing parties, interviews, and endless coverage on blogs and major media sites. I haven’t been to an opening in months where someone hasn’t talked to me about the show.
I don’t have cable, so most Wednesday evenings I’ve traveled to watch Work of Art. I took in four or five episodes at Judith Braun‘s studio, a contestant who was eliminated early on in the competition and hosted viewing parties for her friends. Unlike most contestants, she’s also an active member of the fine art world, so many artists came to her parties and would hang out after the show to discuss the art. Mostly we voiced a list of complaints along the lines of “He could have just punched some holes in the piece and he’d achieve the same results,” or “as if the dripping illustrated blood was the only problem that piece had.” I used these conversations as brainstorming sessions for the posts I wrote the following day.
To read the rest of the piece click here.
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That pretty much sums it up. Boobs and representational art. nuff said.
That pretty much sums it up. Boobs and representational art. nuff said.
As much as it pained me to (enjoy) read(ing) such detailed recaps of a show that-should-have-never-been, I loved every moment of this guilty pleasure. Thanks for wasting your summer so that we too, could waste ours.
As much as it pained me to (enjoy) read(ing) such detailed recaps of a show that-should-have-never-been, I loved every moment of this guilty pleasure. Thanks for wasting your summer so that we too, could waste ours.
@AFC: Thanks for the incidental link to my website!! 🙂
And thanks for joining the WoA viewing parties here…which turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole adventure. Who knew!? I just finished paying for that flat screen tv purchased on sale at 0% interest just for this once in a lifetime occasion. It’s all been worth it.
@AFC: Thanks for the incidental link to my website!! 🙂
And thanks for joining the WoA viewing parties here…which turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole adventure. Who knew!? I just finished paying for that flat screen tv purchased on sale at 0% interest just for this once in a lifetime occasion. It’s all been worth it.
I stopped watching the show during the “Opposites Attract” episode… I fell asleep and never cared enough to try and catch a rebroadcast. I was wondering if the reason this series doesn’t hold interest for me the way Runway or Chef does is because of the process. Aside from the personal interactions, in Runway and Chef we primarily see contestants using and discussing technique, while in Art we see contestants discussing ideas. With the majority of pieces presented (seemingly) not requiring much technique to execute them the process comes off as intellectual bullshitting.
I stopped watching the show during the “Opposites Attract” episode… I fell asleep and never cared enough to try and catch a rebroadcast. I was wondering if the reason this series doesn’t hold interest for me the way Runway or Chef does is because of the process. Aside from the personal interactions, in Runway and Chef we primarily see contestants using and discussing technique, while in Art we see contestants discussing ideas. With the majority of pieces presented (seemingly) not requiring much technique to execute them the process comes off as intellectual bullshitting.
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