Wednesday, January 31, 2007
A Hypothetical
Do you like this story?
I'm kind of sad I don't have cable tonight. Not because I am forced to blog with the latest episode of Deal or No Deal on in the background, but because I am unable to watch the premier of Top Design on Bravo. I feel this need to watch this show not because I think it's going to be great, but for the same reason I really wanted to see Art Star. It could be brilliant or it could be a train wreck. Either way, compelling television.
Regardless, it has me thinking. Modern Art Notes has pointed out that artist Ryan Humphrey will be one of the contestants competing for Top Designer. I have in the past liked many aspects of Ryan's work. I have also in the past been asked for suggestions regarding public art projects and private commissions.
So my question to you fine readers, if someone asked you to make a major art/design recommendation, would you suggest Ryan Humphrey knowing that he is on Top Design? Or would it be kind of like making a mix tape for a girl you have a big crush on that features Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Hicks? Does it even matter?
9 Responses to “A Hypothetical”
February 1, 2007 at 9:26 AM
This first show was pretty boring....but it came right after the season finale of Top Chef, so seemed a little anti-climatic.
Todd Oldham came across as rather odd (but nice).....hopefully he will grow on me.
February 1, 2007 at 11:34 AM
I'd say it's a lot closer to trainwreck than brilliant.
February 1, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Artists and designers are somehow supposed to be "above" general trash culture, so it seems weird to see them on reality shows. Much weirder than budding pop stars. But should it? Yeah, maybe. Reality shows are kind of at the bottom of the barrel in terms of creative effort and certainly in terms of originality these days. You'd hope a good artist/designer would recognize that and really play it up or avoid the whole scene. Does Ryan play it up?
February 2, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Ok, This is unrelated but I thought I had to comment on: Last night at the Conan O’Brian show there he was talking about the 2 cities that are fighting for the game of their lives in Florida. He brings up a match between the tallest building of Chicago (sears tower for those of you who never left the limits of Indiana) and the tallest building in Indianapolis, a 10 stories holiday in. After the guy dressed as the Sears tower crashes the small box on the floor, the show goes on. A little while later there is a rematch and Indianapolis brings it's top representatives: a red roof inn, several other side of the road kinda of hotels and the main building, an IHOP! It was hilarious and sad. Can we talk about it? I need a hug.
February 2, 2007 at 1:17 PM
I had so many thoughts about this hypothetical question that it took my a while to reason a few of them out. It seems to me that the answer to the question is directly related to our concept of the artist. If we consider the artist to be an untouchable genius, inspired and endowed w/ talent from above-- then Ryan Humphrey must be an imposter rather than an artist if he's doing reality TV. Do not recommend. If we consider the artist to be a worker in a trade, then he's simply promoting his business. Recommend. If we consider the artist to have a sense of irony (we are postmodern!), then he could be doing both-- while also investigating the medium of TV & the psychology of American TV audiences. (Possible corollary: see Peaches on 'Flavor of Love.' Can anyone at VH1 even SPELL electroclash?) Humphrey could become an art world hero... if he knows enough about kitsch TV to make fun of it while taking part in it. You certainly recommend art world heroes for major projects.
To me, it's all in how you use it. If yr mixtape has Kelly Clarkson on it because you can't seem to unstick tongue from cheek-- and yr girl knows it-- then it's ironic. If yr mixtape has KC on it and you have a picture of her on yr bedroom ceiling, chances are you don't know what irony is.
Does Ryan Humphrey know what irony is? Or is it plain self-promotion?
February 3, 2007 at 7:19 PM
In response to the question....not all reality shows are created equal, I find the Bravo ones (Project Runway, Top Chef) to be really nice. Hopefully Top Design will follow suit.
If I was interested in Ryan Humprey....I would certainly watch the show before I decided. You know what they say....no such thing as bad publicity. I would like having all that info on someone I was considering, and if he is a gifted designer with a fine personality and work ethic, it should show on the program and he would benefit.
Just the fact that he is on Top Design is not a strike against in my opinion. It just shows he is enthusiastic and is willing to take a risk. I am not too snobby about it.
February 3, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Anonymous 1:17:
Thanks for rephrasing my posting.
-anonymous 9:31
February 4, 2007 at 3:32 PM
Oh come on, nobody saw Conan O'Brian's sketch? Anyone? You tube it then.
February 4, 2007 at 6:46 PM
Is it on You Tube? I can't find it. If you do, post the link/search criterion. That sounds HILARIOUS
Post a Comment