I’m ambivalent about the way things worked out on Work of Art: The Next Great Artist this week. Yes, the hour was the most dramatic to date, with fascinating exchanges in particular between Miles and Erik. These young men grappled with the big questions, vigorous debates that went to the very heart of what it means to be an artist: Miles called Erik a “fourth grader… with a bad-ass macho attitude,” while Erik called Miles “a total douche” and a “stuck-up art p—y.” Why, it was like Barnett Newman debating Jackson Pollock! Like Larry Rivers vs. Robert Motherwell!
But in the process of this highly amusing fracas (I did relish Erik accusing both Miles and Jaclyn of promulgating “their typical art-school crap”) we ended up with an alienated Erik, a marginalized Erik, an Erik who ultimately went home, shaking his metaphorical fist at… well, Erik said it himself so eloquently: “trained artists who have their heads stuck up their asses.”
The thing is, Erik’s Angry Young Man With A Chip On His Shoulder He Can’t Sculpt image is as familiar to the art world as the Sensitive Young Artiste images Miles projects; it’s just that Erick doesn’t know he’s a “type,” while the fascinating Miles seems glowingly aware, and is using the show to manipulate his competitors, the judges, and us. Where he initially struck me simply as rumply-slacker-arty-boy, Miles has become something more intriguing, more devious. (Funniest moment of the night: Ryan’s impersonation of Miles making coffee.)
The task this week was to create a piece of public art on a site in lower Manhattan. The eight remaining artists were divided into two teams. The “Red” team decided to make a large multi-sided geometric wooden thing surrounded by smaller but pointy, jagged things. For all the judges talk about the finished product looked “inviting,” I kept thinking about the first little kid that would enter this public place and fall head-first on one of the pointy things.
The all-too-appropriately named “Blue” team created a wooden question-mark-on-its-side-plus-a-bolstering-wall thing. This was the team containing the arguing Miles, Jaclyn, and Erik (baby-voiced Peregrine spent most of the hour saying she was scared of pretty much everyone and couldn’t they all just get along?). All artists were told they had to add something individual to the project and be able to explain it during the judges’ “crit.” Early on, Erik said he wanted to have some vines twirling around their project, and people initially seemed cool with that.
As soon as the building started, though, Jaclyn abruptly said, “I’m starting to hate this idea,” and that she particularly wanted “no plants, or vines… that’s really silly.” Considering that Jaclyn’s idea of coming up with ideas is to “appropriate” ideas from other contestants, I’m surprised she got away with this critique, since it was clearly aimed at sabotaging her arch-enemy Erik. (Yes, Big Brother is not the only reality show with a “sabateur.”)
When Miles backed Jaclyn, Erik’s instant bitterness arose. He told Miles with heavy sarcasm, “I respect the role you play — you’re a trained actor,” referring to Miles’ tendency to performance-art his way into the judges’ hearts. As usual, there was just enough truth to Erik’s accusation to keep you from dismissing his complaint. Even more intriguing was the revelation of a note Jaclyn has passed to Erik some time during the construction, a scrawl about how he should “argue with us about something… insist… say it needs… you need to convince us.” Erik interpreted this as advice on the project he felt he didn’t need. I interpreted it as camera-conscious Jaclyn giving Erik tips on how to portray himself on TV so that he’d remain a viable, colorful contestant.
Judge Jerry Saltz asked the Blue team why they’d positioned their piece where they had. Jaclyn said it was to take advantage of the largest patch of sky in the vicinity. Saltz then asked, “Do you not know what that patch of sky is? [It's] the hole in the sky that the Twin Towers left.” His tone was accusatory, but I didn’t understand in what sense. Because they were ignorant of the geography of lower Manhattan and hadn’t oriented themselves to realize what they were looking at? If so, I have to defend the artists, most of whom aren’t from New York and could easily have not known in which history-fraught direction they had pointed their edifice.
The way that moment was edited, it looked as though the positioning of the Blue team’s piece was going to be a factor in the judging, but it went unremarked after that. Instead, there was a nicely tense interrogation of Erik by Saltz after Erik declared he “wasn’t a fan” of his own team’s work. “Why not?” asked Saltz. As Erik began his usual mumbling, Saltz said again, “Why not?,” and when Erik continued to babble, Saltz snapped, “Why not?” followed by a simple, “Why?” You got the idea that Erik — and probably most of his young colleagues — have never been asked to articulate the opinions they have. Saltz was pushing him to think, and to speak in full sentences, and Erik failed. The Blue team lost, and Erik was given the paint-spattered, metal-toe boot.
The Erik ejection robs Work of Art of what was really revving up to be weeks of studio drama, but let’s face it: Erik was pretty douchey himself, and his art was as lousy as any of the show’s contestants’. His most valuable contribution was to provide the element of the untrained, self-styled working-class laborer (“I’ve been lifting heavy stuff,” he said with gruff pride this night) that’s always been one part of the art-world ethos. Now we’re left with the battle of the art-school divas: Given the blandness of the rest of the cast — oh, I mean artists — it’s going to be the Battle of the Art School Divas, Miles vs. Jaclyn. Why? Why? Why?
What did you think of Work of Art this week?
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Erik wasn’t that great an artist and his time was up, but everything he (and Ryan and Mark)said about Miles rings true. Miles has talent but is a complete and utter phony as a person. Jaclyn is an untalented narcissist. Peregrin played the part of a sheep last night. Most brilliant moment of the season so far: Ryan’s imitation of Miles making coffee.
Agreed. Miles, I find, is more akin to a 4-year-old in his mimicry. It’s tired.
Miles makes me Sleepy. YAWN
I totally agree with you! And the bags under his eyes are like hefty Coach bags.
Can we just skip ahead to the Miles/Abdi finale? This show is quickly getting BORING. If that girl does one more “look at my tits” piece, ugh. Even that team piece was kind of vaginal.
I agree with Erik in his opinions of Jaclyn and Miles. They do seem stuck up and full of themselves when it comes to their art. I liked some of Erik’s art and I was kind of bummed to see him go. He created some nice drama on the show, drama that I’m sure will remain as long as Jaclyn and Miles stick around. This is a fascinating show and I love to watch it.
I had been pro-Miles up to this point, but he really was kind of a tool last night, wasn’t he? I especially loved how “normal” his hair looked at the breakfast table before he carefully mussed it into his disheveled OCD-artiste ‘do. That made me realize just how much of performer he is. However, if Erik hadn’t behaved like a pouty three-year-old in front of the judges, I’m convinced his team would have won the challenge and he’d still be there. He has no one to blame but himself.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
I really enjoy this show–I love the different art mediums, but please–NO more building things!! Please get back to painting or sculpting!
I think a competition judging artwork is totally ridiculous. At least with a singing or cooking competition, there is a clear-cut way to tell if notes are hit correctly or if dishes taste good. Watching these pompous judges act like they are qualified to make pass/fail statements on something that’s completely subjective combined with what some of these artists are bringing to the table (Miles takes a nap beside sphincter-shaped pillows in the gallery and it’s…brilliant?) makes this show entertaining for all the wrong reasons.
I have no idea if Erik is right about Miles, and whether Miles truly is an “actor” playing everyone around him, but what it comes down to is this: Miles is one of the most talented artists on the show, and Erik is one of the least talented. Therefore everything Erik says just comes across as being fueled by insecurity and jealousy. I’m not sad to see him go.
I agree!
Talent? Yes, maybe. Great ideas? Yes, he does have great ideas. I know it was Bravo’s editing that made the last episode seem like Erik was being “ganged up on”, but if that is how the “real” Miles acts in real life, then he is as pompous as the next art-wannabe. Miles negated himself by saying that the sculpture that his team did was an extension of his previous work (which means that it was his own idea, not the group’s concept.) He shot down Erik’s ideas, but glorified his own. I’m tired of writing…plain and simple Miles seems like a terrible human being…like Lady Gaga.
Oh so eloquently written. Miles is a douche.
I’ve never commented on something like this before, but I finally can’t resist- I know Miles, personally, and he really is a great guy. I’m probably biased because of my connection with him, but I really hope he ends up winning. (I’m assuming the taping is over now, but I haven’t talked to him for a couple of years so I don’t know the outcome… and also assume he’s under contract not to reveal it anyway). Anyway, watching the show has reminded me that there is more to people on these reality shows than what comes through from strategic editing and clashing personalities.
I think Miles seems like a great guy on the show as well. But since you knew him personally, perhaps YOU can tell us if his OCD shtick is an act for the cameras.
No, it isn’t. He is being himself. As far as some on the show saying he acts differently in front of the cameras, etc, I ask “who wouldn’t?!” Really, nobody has a completely one-dimensional personality anyways.
He did a couple of pieces for me, which are hanging on my wall. I told him years ago that he would go far. I’m proud to have some of his work and am proud to know him.
Miles doesn’t come across as a great guy to me. He comes across as a manipulative phoney
As someone with an art degree, both a BFA and MS, I find both ‘pieces’ looked like crap. I was even further surprised that none of them could articulate anything about them… and what they did articulate completely coincided with their intent… example: organic question mark shape of the seat to contrast the buildings and skylines. Yet they have that hideous patchwork (of straight sharp and jagged edges) and that very distracting frame. Could they have at least made the frame compliment the shape of that ugly seat? Simply because ‘it’s made of wood’ would not hold up in a thesis defense. OR they could have implemented Eric’s idea and planted say, ivy, that could grow up and over the frame and back of the piece… hiding shotty craftsmanship and that frame which contrasted with their vision? I completely agree with your words regarding the red team. And while I think spraypaint would have been a bad idea as well… but better than the sharp (and dangerous) sheet metal… did anyone think of stain and polyurethane? That would have been clean, finished looking, and weatherproof. (Perhaps with some grit in the poly for that steep ramp up)
I think the problem with this show is that they are working in different mediums each week… many of which some have never worked with… also the timing; Aside from Van Gogh, how many people can continually produce so much so fast? The art speak I think turns many off from the show, as it did my family members who did not go to art school.
As far as the contestants go, I have a particular disdain for Miles and Jacklyn… they remind me of everything I hated about art school; especially the ‘art speak’ and acting. They have the judges eating out of their hands… I also think many of them cannot stand up for themselves in a critique. They need to articulate WHY in practical terms, not in pillowy art speak (which many could only do a poor job of)
While I do appreciate the competitiveness of the contestants; It’s like watching the tooth fairy and my little pony have an arguement. Competitiveness was a love hate thing from my experiences as I identified most with Eric, deemed to left brained by my fellow classmates or not a ‘real’ artist, I tried to shut them up with my work. It’s unfortunate that Eric could not do the same… or clearly articulate why he did or did not like something, but in the same situation I probably would have liked to drop kick the fellow blue team members too.
Steve, you get to a larger issue. The contestants may be talented, but they seem to lack depth. As we learned from the prior challenge, most hadn’t read some of the most basic literature required by an average high school (I went to public school in the 80s in middle Georgia and read most of those books, so there’s no excuse). And, they struggle to articulate things about their art beyond the most basic cliches.
I think the Twin Towers question was an important one because the question was, are you making a statement, or did you just stumble onto something? As we saw, they just stumbled into something.
While the Blue Team’s object was more complex, the more I thought about the piece, the more I disliked Blue’s take on public art. In many ways, it’s the opposite of inviting. It does not enable lots of folks to participate. It is too unweildy for children (and kinda dangerous). The metal was random looking. In many ways, the piece created a very specific experience, not one that feels “public.”
Miles is playing the role of naif when he’s obviously shrewed and somewhat pushy in his passive agressive “who me, aw shucks I just woke up” way. He’s the guy who says he never studies but you know darn well is at home cramming and then feigns suprise at his A.
With regard to the timing and the different mediums, two things. First, on other artistic contest shows, people are often working outside of their comfort zones (desserts on Top Chef anyone). I think part of the reason that this was a group challenge is so that people who were not experienced with tools or sculpture had a decent shot of being with folks who had. Also, while they may not have to work in 72 hours, artists who get commissions do have demanding time constraints thrust upon them, and so the idea that artists have unlimited time is not always true.
i completely agree with your statement about the red team’s decision to cover the piece in a patchwork madness of metal sheets. i feel that the integrity of the piece was lost in this decision. i actually foundthe shape of the piece rather interesting with the organic curve, i only wish that maybe the ramp would also reflect the saame organic quality. instead of being straight, maybe gradually fall onto the ground, mimicking a leaf or piece of fabric.
the blue teams piece had no excuse and should never have one. as the judges said, we’ve all seen that minimalist crap in the 70s. the box black and white…that piece has been done time and time again.
Why all the bashing of art school people? Erik would be well served to GO to art school and expand his skills and aesthetic. If you want to be in the art world, you have to learn the art language, even if it sounds pretentious. Meanwhile – this was a fun episode for reality tv, and yes, Ryan’s imitation of Miles was the best!
Learning the “language” and using it in a meaningful way are two entirely different things. M and J use the language alright, but what comes out of their mouths means very little.
@amylola. Is that right? You really think Erik should go to art school? Why–so he can be surrounded by phonies like Miles and Jaclyn, who kiss their professors’ behinds? May I remind you that Van Gogh got “laughed out” of art school by his pretentious classmates–just like Miles and Jaclyn–for not having any talent. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Miles and Jaclyn looked down on Erik just as Van Gogh’s classmates looked down on him. Well, Van Gogh had the last laugh on them as his paintings are amongst the top sellers at art auctions. Personally, I feel Miles is overrated. So far, there is not one artwork he has done that I have liked. And Erik is right–the collorative work they did last nite was another example of Miles’ homeless shelter pieces. Anotner problem I have with Miles is that he does not seem to be a team player. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I have never seen a more selfish artist who is unwilling to help other people. If he really felt the way he did about Erik, then why didn’t he help him instead of looking down on him? (Same goes for Jaclyn.) When the artists had to create bookcovers, it did not look like Miles worked with his partner at all. She even said Miles was off doing whatever instead of talking to her for the allotted 30 minutes as the other artists were doing. As a result, she got kicked off the show. Then again last nite when Miles has to work some more artists–he’s determined to do everything his way and not willing to accept other people’s ideas. As a result–Erik got kicked off. I can’t wait for Miles to get kicked off. Personally, I think the best artist on the show is Abdi.
wow – so EVERYONE who goes to art school is a phony? Paul – there are phonies in every discipline (art or business or law, whatever). you don’t have to write off everyone because SOME people are phonies. You are otherwise entitled to your opinion about Miles and Erik, etc., most of which i (sort of ) agree with. But really – Erik going to art school would not be just to be surrounded by phonies, but to learn to expand his aesthetic and understand why he is doing it.
also, Van Gogh had a hard time having “the last laugh” since he was dead before any of his paintings made much money. AND there are plenty of highly respected artists who DID go to art school – Van Gogh doesn’t prove anything, except he was a mad genius.
Erik’s arguments reeked of insecurity, and nothing more. I get that Miles comes across as stuck up, but that’s the art world, friend. I went to film school. I know this crowd very well. If Erik can’t learn to place nice with the world he so desperately wants to be a part of, he’ll always remain on the fringes. He needed to be a team player. He needed to not let his own insecurities fuel his apathy towards the piece.
And I’m with Ken. Erik is an art world type; he just doesn’t know it. The angry bitter artist is almost as much of a stereotype as the tortured artist schtick that Miles may or may not be putting on.
And I think Erik could stand to get some formal training, if only to strengthen his point of view, which I never quite understood, to be frank.
yes, thank you Jacob! you said what i was trying to say.
Miles is by far my favorite–as both a cast member and artist. He comes across as someone who knows what he’s doing when it comes to art and the aesthetics. And he has a clear point of view–a common thread among his work being solitude and peace.
I also love the messy bun girl…I can’t think of her name right now (Nicole?), but love her ideas thus far nonetheless. Abdi has something great to say also (say, as in create/express through art).
Final 3. Right there.
Erik behaved like a brat with a chip on his shoulder, but I think everything he said about Miles is correct. Everything he does seems to be calculated to get more attention. He even uses OCD as a sympathy ploy & as a way to look cool instead of taking it seriously. I know someone exactly like him and and can no longer stand to be around this person. He never asks questions about anyone else, only brings up his own life and what’s going on.
I’m with you on this, Red. So what Miles has OCS? I have ADHD but I don’t use that to alienate myself from other people. Miles is NOT a team player. As I said before, he didn’t work at all with his bookcover partner (she wound up getting kicked off the show) and last nite’s public art work (Erik wound up getting kicked off the show). I see a pattern there. So far there have only been 2 times when the artists had to work with other artists and both times the person Miles worked with got kicked off the show. It just goes to show you that he is not a team player. And the thing is–I wouldn’t mind Miles’ horrible behavior if he was a good artist. But the thing is–I don’t think he is. He is very overrated.
I am really confused about this insistence on the book cover challenge. That was an individual one, and the one who went home was Judith, who had Pride and Prejudice, while Miles had Frankenstein. If you are referring to the first challenge, the portrait one, he did not cooperate with Nao a lot, but she stayed and got kicked out on a different challenge (the “shocking” one) – so, while I have come to really dislike Miles’ attitude, I think you are very mistaken about your facts.
Mo it wasn’t the book cover it was the first one when you had to do a portrait of your partner…wrong episode, correct point
Bravo to BravoTV for fueling this argument. Bravo picked Miles to be on the show to gain ratings, cause drama, etc. And it’s working!
BTW Miles, honey, they have creams for those eyebags, you know. I’m sure Bravo is/will be paying you lots of money for making them more money, so I am confident that you can purchase some Clinique “All About Eyes” cream Trust me, it works!
I know! I’m new to taikng my writing seriously, though I’ve played with it for years. Each small success is so exciting! Last night I filled out info for my first ad in RT, and hubs couldn’t understand why I was nearly in tears! Thanks for letting me know others feel the same!
Jerry Saltz and Jaclyn’s blogs are VERY informative regarding what happened last night. Jerry Saltz said that if Erik would have kept his mouth shut his team would have won, but because part of the challenge was working as a team they lost because of that. Also, Jaclyn said that many of Erik’s ideas, that were not shown, were used. She also showed their first sketch, mainly Miles idea aka the box with a window, and the sketch that they went with. They also did not show Erik going out shopping to get the wood from Home Depot.
““I’ve been lifting heavy stuff,” he said with gruff pride this night”
I’m disappointed you interpreted Erik’s frustration as “gruff pride”.
I was with Erik until his final moments when he wouldn’t shake his team mates’ hands good-bye. Yes this show is about artists and sometimes the art. But c’mon, they all had to know that this is a contest as well. you want to tell me that these young adults weren’t watching the real world or survivor before in their teens before they picked up a paint brush. And Miles may be ‘playing it up’ but this generation was raised with oversaturated media and knows that to be seen for the one thing you do well, You have to cover as many bases as possible. Warhol knew it, Lady Gaga knows it and so does Miles. Art is art. but when the piece is finished, it becomes business.