Abdi Farah, the artist formerly known as “Next”
Oh no. It’s ba-a-a-a-ck!
Yesterday I was asked by e-mail if I’d “be up for posting some information” about the casting call for the next installment(s) of Bravo’s The Next Great Artist, “perhaps even chatting with one of our casting
executives (i.e. what they are looking for in applicants, what to
expect from a casting call, etc.).”
I passed on viewing this show (after enduring its first hour), so I think I’ll pass on interviewing its casting executive.
But in case you’re interested, the three venues for the casting call are: Patrick Painter, Inc., a Los Angeles gallery (Sept. 19): the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Sept. 22); and, let us not forget, the Brooklyn Museum (Sept. 25), where the last season’s winner, Abdi Farah, got his show.
The questions below, included in the artists’ application (along with the standard queries about experience, training, nature of work and the all-important, “Why are you an artist?”), may give you some idea of what this reality show could be looking for:
—What is the most scandalous thing you have done in your life as an artist? For your art?
—Describe your most embarrassing moment…and/or describe what you wish was your most embarrassing moment!
Does the embarrassment of being humiliated by the show’s judges qualify for the wish list?!?
Here are some indications of what they’re probably NOT looking for:
—Have you met, worked with, socialized with, or do you know any of the judges or guest judges that have appeared on the first cycle of “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist”? If YES, please list names and detail the nature and extent of your relationship.
—Have you ever done or been involved in anything that would cause the Program producer and/or the cable network and affiliates that may exhibit the Program any embarrassment or monetary loss if you are chosen to participate in the Program? [Do the “Jersey Shore” producers worry about being caused “any embarrassment”?]
From the following question on the application, it sounds like not just one but (eek!) two more seasons of “Great Artists” may be looming:
Are you available to leave your family, work, and friends to go to a location to be designated by the Program producer for between approximately three and five consecutive weeks (plus time for promotion and publicity), beginning sometime in either October 2010, or April 2011, and again for one week in Winter or Summer 2011?
Even if I am selected as a contestant, Producer has no obligation to produce the Program or conduct the contest and the Network has no obligation to exhibit it, even if conducted and produced.
Hey, at least you might get a chance to meet Jerry Saltz! Then again, there’s no official word yet about whether there will be any changes in the show’s judges or its “mentor” (Simon de Pury). Is there a casting call for these arbiters too? (I’ve sent a query about this to the PR/marketing person who gave me the heads-up on the casting call. If I learn more, I’ll update.)