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Did anyone watch episode 1 of the School of Saatchi on BBC2 last night?

I read an article about it in Art Review magazine a few months ago that did not exactly entice me to watch, however, watch I did. I actually rather enjoyed it, but then, one could argue that I am a bit of a reality addict, so a reality show about art, well theoretically, that is heaven on earth for me…

The man himself did not appear (No surprises there). The show is being fronted by Matthew Collings- a critic, author, curator and skeptic, he is also one of the judges. Joining him on the judging panel are Tracey Emin (no intro needed), Frank Cohen- dubbed the “Saatchi” of the North (North of England) and Kate Bush (no not the singer), head of art at the Barbican in London…

Not much fuss has been made of this series, the so called “X Factor” of the art world. In fact, when asked if the show was anything like the X Factor, Mr Saatchi of the North apparently responded rather defensively:

“It’s not like the X Factor for the simple reason that you haven’t got an audience standing and screaming and baying for blood. I think Saatchi wants the programme to come over as a serious take on the processes of contemporary art rather than a competition. It doesn’t cheapen art at all; if anything, it’ll educate people in how contemporary art is made and what it means.”

The beginning had echos of the X factor though,I mean, being X Factor Queen, even during dire Jedward times, I should know.. The judges sat in a room as the artists came in one by one like lambs to the slaughter. Miss Emin was a bit like a female, slightly more empathetic, post watershed version of Mr Simon Cowell. Honest and direct in her approach to critiquing the work. At one point, she even quipped “That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever seen!… You are just winging it”.. BRILLIANT! Poor guy, I felt sorry for him but she was right, bang on the money, honestly, if you arrange a bunch of cheap chairs in a circle on the floor, what do you really expect? Praise? I got the feeling she was genuine and she was going with her gut. That woman knows what she is talking about.

The hopefulls, well I am not really into video installation art. I know lots of people would probably tell me to get with the times, but hey, I like what I like. I have seen lots of it at various hip London shows, and to be honest, I have not seen anything that really grabbed me. Maybe thats something to do with me not attending art school and “getting the jargon”.. I am not just “a hater”, I have made two attempts at video installations myself at two of my exhibitions. I will post them up on my website too for you all to laugh at. Hey, at least I tried to be down with the kids.. They showed a clip of the famous Bruce Nauman video installation of him walking round a square in a strange way- can’t remember what it is called, the point is, I just don’t get it. However, for me, the person that impressed me the most in the group of young hopefulls was Suki Chan. Yes, her work consisted of stunning video installations, oh the irony. Needless to say she got through. It wasn’t just her work though, there was something about her. A quiet confidence and calm explanation. Amazing stuff..

A young girl who could talk the talk- I think she was 19, she got through. No matter how hard I think about it and contemplate it, I still don’t understand why a whistle with lipstick on it hanging on a rail attached to a wall is art. I did not get that it was remotely sexual as Miss Emin suggested either. Her explanation was excellent. She clearly has the art school jargon. But I don’t get it. She will probably be the next big thing.

The self taught guy was also very impressive- even without the jargon. His presence comforted me somewhat!

The Standard newspaper apparently suggested that the show was a cynical attempt to climb back up the Art Review Power 100 list for the man with the Midas touch, camera shy Saatchi. Considering that the Power 100 was only published this month and that this show has been planned (trust me, I have my sources) for a long time more than a year or two, I doubt that is the case. No doubt his power has diminished somewhat in the face of a mass influx of stupidly rich collectors that were pricing even the likes of Saatchi out of the market for a while there before the bubble burst. That fact can not be denied, but, the fact remains that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the UK art market and I for one would be thanking my lucky stars if he came knocking on my door to anoint me as a chosen one…

So, overall, good show! I will be watching the series very closely. Let me know what you think. Catch up on last nights show here…

Best

Adelaide

I was inspired to write this by the Style vs Gimmick post on the Art Biz blog… It is a very interesting question that provoked lots of interesting responses. So here is my contribution, let me know what you think…

From the point of view of art work/artists: When an artist produces work specifically to self promote or sell and not from a place of authenticity, that could be seen as gimmicky… Thats my opinion…

I have been accused of being gimmicky as I tend to work in series. My first being “Black Brits”- was about British icons and how the color of their skin affected the way they were perceived by the public, it was about identity. It was labeled a gimmick by some media outlets, but that was because they did not get the point.

However it is perceived, as long as you are being true to yourself as an artist and you are producing quality work, who really cares?

So what do you think?

When does personal style turn to gimmick?

Best

Adelaide

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School of Saatchi

Gimmick or style?

School of Saatchi

Gimmick or style?

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School of Saatchi

Gimmick or style?

When does personal style turn to gimmick?

Adelaide Damoah

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