Mrs.G’s Art Room

By Morgan

Having art in reality television is a good idea, especially right now because of the writers’ strike. But without the strike I do not think art in a reality television would make a new hit Television show. The new upcoming show called ARTSTAR is a new reality show trying to find the next big artist. They start with an open call with 400 artists, lined up for three blocks around the Deitch Projects gallery on Wooster Street for the chance (if they got lucky) to get 30 seconds of attention from Mr. Deitch or one of the critics and writers he had enlisted as judges. 30 seconds is honestly not long enough to judge an artist or even to appreciate a piece of art to be chosen for a reality television show. Not only did the artist have maybe 30 seconds to show off their work, but their personality had to shine through to win Mr. Deitch over. They did not just want people on the show who were good art, but artist that would make good television. The producers of the show want an artist with more personality because it would make a for a more interesting television show. However, it will not be like a standard reality television show with all the normal drama. “There weren’t any sort of caustic moments that I remember,” reported Virgil Wong, one of the artists. The artists were picked not solely on their artistic ability but on how well they would fit on a reality television show. Is that fair to the true art lovers? By making Art Star, they are not creating an “art” reality television show, just another reality television show. They all follow the same path in drama and different types of personalities living together trying to get along.  Filming this type of art would be every hard because they have to make the process of making a portrait fun and interesting unlike watching paint dry.

            Another form of art in reality television is Project Runway. Project Runway is seems totally different then Artstar. It actually appeals to a wide range of people because the show is about fashion design. Knowing, learning and watching designers make different articles of clothing is amusing. The contestants are chosen based on their talent and their talent clearly shows within each competition. Only the strong can survive. Also with Project Runway the host of the show, Heidi Klum, is a well-known model which helps bring more people in to watch the show. Who doesn’t know who Heidi Klum is? In addition to having an extremely well-known host, Project Runway has famous judges and in some challenges the designers are designing for someone famous. For example, in season four, they have made outfits for former football player Tiki Barber and for Sarah Jessica Parker. The designers are always trying to prove their talent to the judges by their exquisite outfits. Every week is different; sometimes not even designing for a human Project Runway is constantly keeping you guessing what will they design next?

            Art in reality television is not a bad idea, however I do not think the world is ready for Artstar. Project Runway is art in reality television that is not boring and has a strong reputation of being a great reality show based on talent. Personally, I think people would rather watch the design of an outfit for anyone come to life on screen other than a painting. What is your opinion? Do you think America is ready for a show on television like Artstar? Will Artstar ruin reality television?