Shocker.
If you have to create "shocking art" on demand, then aren't you just making a faux-edgy ad campaign?
In last night's ep, Switzerland minced in, wearing heels with a six-year-old's party dress, and told the "Work of Art" contestants they'd have to create "a shocking piece of art." And to judge the shock value:
Andres Serrano (on the right), the creator of "Piss Christ." You remember that, don't you?
Obviously "shocking" means different things to different people, which gave Bravo a chance to highlight the Christian.
She drew a cartoon version of the Last Supper, with the "apostles" holding weapons and generally sinning all around a horrified Jesus. The Christian's piece was a commentary on hypocrisy in the evangelical community (she's from Oklahoma). But ya know... most people raised outside of the Bible Belt just aren't really shocked by that. Really, there aren't many inside the Bible Belt shocked by it either.
And how many of you are shocked by Designated Hotness' never-ending quest to exploit her nudity? The photos only became interesting when the Newb suggested giving viewers Sharpies to scrawl graffiti on the photos. Here's a shocker: DH took credit for the Newb's idea.
Once again, Tortured Artist and Cartoony Boy had attention-getting pieces. Tortured... added something of himself to a piece inspired by his first erection. Watching Disney's "The Little Mermaid."
But finally -- finally! -- 'Toony Boy's talent elbowed aside Tortured's personal drama. He created "I.E.D": a piece depicting young black men raised in chaotic homes as "improvised explosive devices" ready to go off in a 'post-racial' society. The judges loved how the piece became more disturbing the more they thought about its story.
'Toony makes some amazing stuff for someone who's barely 23. But youth was also the underlying problem with most of the pieces. Something that shocks a 24-year-old (at least, one who's had a childhood free of serious abuse and neglect) will barely nudge the sensibilities of 50-something art critics.
Which was why this challenge was really difficult for The Only Gay in the Village.
But the judges thought TOGV's sexuality should've been part of the discussion. They said his piece would have been shocking only if he'd photographed himself in the position he chose to paint. Considering the position (see it on Bravo's site), they had a point.
But there was no discernible point Nao/Now's performance art. It was just a literal and figurative mess. And she can't be excused by her youth: she's twice as old as 'Toony Boy. So in ep 4's double-elimination, the judges sent home Nao/Now... and TOGV. Totally deserved on her part, not so much for TOGV. The Christian should've been sent packing instead.
Come on -- you know Americans are satire-impaired! How are we going to recognize earnest religious commentary without lots of signposts?! Post your thoughts on this ep in the comments section.
Obviously "shocking" means different things to different people, which gave Bravo a chance to highlight the Christian.
But the judges thought TOGV's sexuality should've been part of the discussion. They said his piece would have been shocking only if he'd photographed himself in the position he chose to paint. Considering the position (see it on Bravo's site), they had a point.
Culture and clash
Sorry for the snark delay... technical difficulties, so I'll have to borrow Bravo's stills and Hulu's video (because Bravo doesn't know how to post embed code without BREAKS in it).
On with the smackdown, shall we?
This week's challenge: create an eye-catching book cover for a classic. Each artist had to design a cover for "Pride and Prejudice," "Dracula," "Frankenstein" or "The Time Machine."
And what a great prize: the winning piece will actually be used for the next edition of the book in question. High culture, and a clash of opposites in terms of the challenge's effect on the artists.
Goofball and... let's call him Pattern Guy (AKA The Only Gay in the Village) loved the challenge.Goofball's a photog with lots of commercial and Photoshop experience, so he knew exactly where he wanted to go with this assignment.
Ready for printing, right there.
Gray Panther, on the other hand... horrified at the very concept of Art in the Service of Commerce. She doesn't do commissions, she doesn't do spec work, and she doesn't have the faintest idea what to do. Finally she decided just to give the middle finger to the assignment and the judges. She focused on the words of the title. Written backwards.
These are classics of literature! Your two biggest selling points are the title and the author!
Maybe I shouldn't mention Designated Hotness because she's been such an easy mark... but she keeps giving me reasons to close my eyes in agony. She's been assigned "Pride & Prejudice," which she's never read. "I've seen the movie..." Sigh.
So her fallback was her back; nude photo shoot in the bathroom, throw something together from that. Distract the judges with sex appeal!
And she misspelled Jane Austen's last name. Despite having a copy of the book on hand
Compare that to Tortured Artist, who'd never read Mary Shelley's Frankstein. But he calculated that he could read the book for the first time, and finish his piece on time.
Okay results, I suppose, but that's the second time he's used a blueprint in his artwork. It really came down to Goofball and Pattern Guy TOGV.
His first thought was to use color that would grab the reader from across the room.
TOGV imagined a faceted, whirling time machine -- see the tiny ladder to the left? -- with text that seemed to be whooshing by. Nice concept. I might pick up one of those abstract "reimagined classics" book covers. But they don't really do anything for me. The judges thought it kicked ass, though.
And then they kicked out Gray Panther.
Kelly called it on Facebook:
I think Gray Panther's been doing her own thing, her own way for too long to be on this show. She said as much in her parting comment: "I guess I just wasn't able to adapt to the situation." But it's your job as a contestant to adapt. That, and play to the camera.
On with the smackdown, shall we?
This week's challenge: create an eye-catching book cover for a classic. Each artist had to design a cover for "Pride and Prejudice," "Dracula," "Frankenstein" or "The Time Machine."
Gray Panther, on the other hand... horrified at the very concept of Art in the Service of Commerce. She doesn't do commissions, she doesn't do spec work, and she doesn't have the faintest idea what to do. Finally she decided just to give the middle finger to the assignment and the judges. She focused on the words of the title. Written backwards.
Maybe I shouldn't mention Designated Hotness because she's been such an easy mark... but she keeps giving me reasons to close my eyes in agony. She's been assigned "Pride & Prejudice," which she's never read. "I've seen the movie..." Sigh.
And she misspelled Jane Austen's last name. Despite having a copy of the book on hand
Compare that to Tortured Artist, who'd never read Mary Shelley's Frankstein. But he calculated that he could read the book for the first time, and finish his piece on time.
On these shows I always say that if they spend too much time showing one character throughout the episode that is the person who is going home. And sure enough, it was true tonight. I pegged who was going home at about the halfway point. And boy, what a stinker she made.
I think Gray Panther's been doing her own thing, her own way for too long to be on this show. She said as much in her parting comment: "I guess I just wasn't able to adapt to the situation." But it's your job as a contestant to adapt. That, and play to the camera.
Where to find my art
I've been having a great time venturing out in public (the physical, real-world public) with my art these past few months, and I especially want to thank everyone who's come to my book signings.
Some of the people I've met have also asked where they can see more of my art. For the moment, the two best places are right here:
or to finished work. "Artfest" and "Art and Soul Portland" show both the work I've done in classes as well as pieces I've done using techniques learned at those retreats.
Search: There's a search box at the very top left of this blog... works like any other search engine.
Flickr: See the "I made that" widget in the right-hand column of the blog? Click there to go directly to my photostream. Today I added photos of my "Dollhouses" rooms, pictures you can't find in the book.
I'm also working on building a portfolio site, which will link to this here blog as well. EDIT: Some of my dollhouse rooms are for sale. Email me at yolisalisa (at) gmail and we'll talk.
I hope I've also encouraged you to plunge in and make your own art, like Ms. Batts here.
Yes, that's her real name. She owns that name!
She's been inspired by my work in Mixed Media Dollhouses, and she's kicking around the idea of a bat-themed dollhouse of her own. Since bats hang upside down to rest, I suggested she put everything that's usually on the floor, on the ceilings of her dollhouse. If she makes it a reality, I'll post pics here too.
Again, thanks for hanging with me. Come back tomorrow and comment during the weekly snarkfest on "Work of Art." Remember, these reality shows don't make fun of themselves!
- in the blog posts (click a label, or search for specific words)
- through my Flickr page -- search for YoLisaLisa's photostream.
Flickr: See the "I made that" widget in the right-hand column of the blog? Click there to go directly to my photostream. Today I added photos of my "Dollhouses" rooms, pictures you can't find in the book.
I'm also working on building a portfolio site, which will link to this here blog as well. EDIT: Some of my dollhouse rooms are for sale. Email me at yolisalisa (at) gmail and we'll talk.
I hope I've also encouraged you to plunge in and make your own art, like Ms. Batts here.
Again, thanks for hanging with me. Come back tomorrow and comment during the weekly snarkfest on "Work of Art." Remember, these reality shows don't make fun of themselves!