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The Work of Art Recap: Natural Talents Produces Only One Bare Ass

by Paddy Johnson on August 5, 2010 · 188 comments

Miles Mendenhall gets ready for another day at the studio

“Do you think Captain Crunch would make a good dad?” asks Miles Mendenhall, uttering the first words in this week’s episode of Work of Art. The question is of no relevance to this week’s challenge — incorporate stuff you’ve found on your trip to woods into your work — but, this, coupled with a shot of Mendenhall‘s bare ass is the episode’s only moment not completely riddled with cliche (though the latter point may be debatable). Two seconds after Mr. Crunch is discussed Bill Powers enters wearing his sunglasses indoors, an annoying affectation even if he falls in line with everyone else who is either dressed by Bravo, or wearing giant metallic bows or bunny ears for the camera. I’m fairly certain the show gave critic Jerry Saltz a pair of Puma sneakers as I’ve never seen him wear them out gallery hopping.

abdi farah, art fag city

Abdi Farah, Baptism, 2009

Jaclyn Santos proves insufferable this challenge, whining about her cold and anything else she could think of, Miles ultimately sees the error in his ways and decides that mustard gas should not be created in a public studio space, while Abdi Farah mixes his black rocks found in the woods with some pigment, saying he’ll take “charcoal drawing to the next level”. He didn’t do it, but his Saltz dubbed “Palm Beach art fair” frame and drawing still managed to win this week’s show. I suspect it’s no coincidence that this academic figurative work meets almost every cliche of what “art” should look like.

Jaclyn santos, art fag city

Jaclyn Santos, The End, 2009

Speaking of the expected, after Jaclyn sulked about not being able to cheat on her challenge by using work produced in off hours, she ended up getting eliminated with a set of photographic landscapes with a horizontal pole and a rock in the center as a horizon line. The pole as a compositional device showcased more imagination than we typically see from her, though I’m not sure why her piece needed two horizon lines. It’s not like her photographs didn’t already have one. As for the spat with her colleagues, Santos published a giant list of exceptions to the rules granted to others listed on her blog. Readers will have to forgive me for not buying the idea that being able to use a material not included in a particular challenge is equivalent to taking more time than all the other artists.

nicole nadeau, art fag city

Nicole Nadeau, Mic Mac, 2009

Leap mid-episode and Simon de Pury is dolling out his usual advice. “I wonder whether at that scale the piece will be powerful enough to impress the judges” de Pury tells Nicole Nadeau. This is the bias of an auctioneer who sells work for more the bigger it is and wouldn’t have been a solution even if Nadeau had been able to manage it. It would have just been a larger hippy air-fresher.  I hate to say it, but she needed to start over.

Peregrine Honig, Golden Gate, 2009

Nearby Peregrine Honig took a slightly more original approach to nature, even if it was never resolved. I’m not a fan of tree people sculptures in general, but I at least enjoyed Honig’s initial description as “a really annoying teenaged mother nature”. This was unfortunately derailed after a critique with Simon de Pury and Miles’ poor idea that kids sneaking off into the woods would help the piece. Enter the bad illustration drawings. Next thing we see is a tree figure with more figures. They are mostly having sex, an insubstantial addition to a piece that clearly needed another couple of days in the studio.

Not until the crits do we meet this week’s guest judge Michele Oka Doner, an artist who’s career is marred by cliche work and representation by Marlborough Gallery Chelsea. Predictably, she loves Abdi’s work and offers up some of the most insubstantial feedback I’ve seen from a judge. “I looked at it and it’s really your heart and soul” Michele Oka Doner tells Farah. She doesn’t mention that his heart and soul offered up a very literal interpretation of baptism and rebirth.

As for the results, next week we’ll see the three solo shows of remaining contestants Miles, Peregrine and Abdi. Abdi should have been knocked out this week, but whatever. At least we don’t have to look at any more of Santos work.

Also:

THE REAL WINNER

art fag city, miles mendenhall

Miles Mendenhall, Fungus Study Vol. 1 #1

Even if Miles didn’t produce his strongest work, it was still the best of the lot. It was a little over produced, but I liked that the problem of what how his materials would react was in question enough that it didn’t produce very interesting results. I am also comforted by the artist’s own reflections on the work. “Seeing the work I’m a little queasy. I’m really self-conscious about being young and to compensate for that I try to do as much as I can, and at a certain point it’s too much. If I make it into the finale I’m not going to make that mistake again.”

Like there was any question. Speaking of which, I look forward to seeing his show at the Brooklyn Museum.

STUFF: Ten Things Ross Bleckner Owns and Loves Intro to The Art World: A Beginners Reading List At the Studio Museum, Identity Gets a New Face

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  • Aim

    Nice recap.
    Miles fleeting ass flash was far more compelling than Jaclyn’s weekly disrobing.
    Sometimes less is more.

  • Aim

    Nice recap.
    Miles fleeting ass flash was far more compelling than Jaclyn’s weekly disrobing.
    Sometimes less is more.

  • Aim

    Nice recap.
    Miles fleeting ass flash was far more compelling than Jaclyn’s weekly disrobing.
    Sometimes less is more.

  • Aim

    Nice recap.
    Miles fleeting ass flash was far more compelling than Jaclyn’s weekly disrobing.
    Sometimes less is more.

  • http://studioconcrete.wordpress.com/ KatieK

    I thought it was weird when China Chow (in her winter cape) tells the contestants that the winner will receive $100,000 – but she clearly forgot to mention the sponsor – so they cut away to a back shot of her with an obviously tacked-on voice-over reciting “courtesy of PrismaColor: Art Uninhibited!”.

  • http://studioconcrete.wordpress.com/ KatieK

    I thought it was weird when China Chow (in her winter cape) tells the contestants that the winner will receive $100,000 – but she clearly forgot to mention the sponsor – so they cut away to a back shot of her with an obviously tacked-on voice-over reciting “courtesy of PrismaColor: Art Uninhibited!”.

  • http://studioconcrete.wordpress.com/ KatieK

    I thought it was weird when China Chow (in her winter cape) tells the contestants that the winner will receive $100,000 – but she clearly forgot to mention the sponsor – so they cut away to a back shot of her with an obviously tacked-on voice-over reciting “courtesy of PrismaColor: Art Uninhibited!”.

  • http://studioconcrete.wordpress.com/ KatieK

    I thought it was weird when China Chow (in her winter cape) tells the contestants that the winner will receive $100,000 – but she clearly forgot to mention the sponsor – so they cut away to a back shot of her with an obviously tacked-on voice-over reciting “courtesy of PrismaColor: Art Uninhibited!”.

  • http://studioconcrete.wordpress.com/ KatieK

    I thought it was weird when China Chow (in her winter cape) tells the contestants that the winner will receive $100,000 – but she clearly forgot to mention the sponsor – so they cut away to a back shot of her with an obviously tacked-on voice-over reciting “courtesy of PrismaColor: Art Uninhibited!”.

  • Fiver

    Hmm from Santos’ facebook fanpage, her recent show:
    http://www.facebook.com/jaclyn.santos.work.of.art#!/photo.php?pid=332682&id=113836531968710&ref=album

    Garnered from Miles in last week’s show? Enamel instead of tar, perhaps she preferred that smell.

  • Fiver

    Hmm from Santos’ facebook fanpage, her recent show:
    http://www.facebook.com/jaclyn.santos.work.of.art#!/photo.php?pid=332682&id=113836531968710&ref=album

    Garnered from Miles in last week’s show? Enamel instead of tar, perhaps she preferred that smell.

  • Fiver

    Hmm from Santos’ facebook fanpage, her recent show:
    http://www.facebook.com/jaclyn.santos.work.of.art#!/photo.php?pid=332682&id=113836531968710&ref=album

    Garnered from Miles in last week’s show? Enamel instead of tar, perhaps she preferred that smell.

  • Fiver

    Hmm from Santos’ facebook fanpage, her recent show:
    http://www.facebook.com/jaclyn.santos.work.of.art#!/photo.php?pid=332682&id=113836531968710&ref=album

    Garnered from Miles in last week’s show? Enamel instead of tar, perhaps she preferred that smell.

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com Judith Braun

    I’m going to stick up for JACKIE here regarding the list she put on her blog where contestants stretched the original limits of a challenge and were not penalized because they “asked the others”, as they were instructed to do. So apparently she was not being out of line to do that on this episode and was unfairly edited. I know editing is part of the game, but It’s not nice to edit someone as a (wanna-be) cheat. When I was there I saw a few things that were slipping by, but calling someone out was a sure way to lose friends. It’s a tough spot. Personally I think all the exceptions to the rules should have been vetoed…

    Here’s Jackie’s list:

    *Miles’ giant machine exceeded allotted dimensions in the gallery. Everyone “agreed” he could display it anyway.
    *The photograph for Miles’ Audi challenge piece wasn’t even taken the same day as that challenge. Yet he was never even questioned about it or required to ask others’ permission.
    *Peregrine was required to ask all of us if she could use newspaper to paper mache her pony in the child challenge, because newspaper was not one of the supplies we had available.
    *Erik was required to ask us if he could use a photograph of his girlfriend he brought with him from home during the Audi challenge.

    • artfagcity

      I didn’t interpret her asking the other artists if she could do something like that as out of line — I just assumed there were other instances in which stuff like this would have to be worked out. Ultimately though, you have to present a compelling case for yourself, and while discussion was probably a little more involved, the group dynamics were such that she didn’t win that battle. In that sense it’s like Survival and it’s just part of the game.

      Like you I’m inclined to think all exceptions should have been vetoed but that’s the way these things go I guess. I remember someone on Project Runway got disqualified for bringing a book of designs with him a while back and not telling anyone. I wonder if they were as strict about the rules there.

      • artfagcity

        Admittedly though I may have been unfairly harsh on Jackie. More than anyone else, her enduring presence on the show has annoyed me — even without the producer’s hands I think she erodes the progress made by feminists. She seems obsessed with displaying her femininity but has no vision about what that might look like past outdated stereotypes: She’s the powerless victim, she’s well suited for childbearing, she’s indecisive and needs direction (typically from men).

        So even if the cheating was pervasive and she suffered unduly, I have a hard time feeling any sympathy.

        • http://www.judithannbraun.com Judith Braun

          I don’t fall for the sympathy card much, which is what came between me and Jackie from day one, but I’m using this particular story to point out that because I saw the whole thing as “a game”, I also think games are best played and enjoyed with consistent rules. There was a huge range of different materials that each contestant brought with them, within guidelines, but those lines were broad and wavy. And then there was the “supply room”, which was stocked “in a way”, and the 3 computers and printers being shared by everyone, with no time slots. Finally the SPECIAL RULE that everything you didn’t use from a challenge (from art or hardware store) was to be put into the Supply Room afterwards…(honor system) So gradually there was who-knows-what in there, or in people’s work spaces.

          I think it would be more fun to really limit the materials, give each person the same few items and then see what they do.

    • artfagcity

      I didn’t interpret her asking the other artists if she could do something like that as out of line — I just assumed there were other instances in which stuff like this would have to be worked out. Ultimately though, you have to present a compelling case for yourself, and while discussion was probably a little more involved, the group dynamics were such that she didn’t win that battle. In that sense it’s like Survival and it’s just part of the game.

      Like you I’m inclined to think all exceptions should have been vetoed but that’s the way these things go I guess. I remember someone on Project Runway got disqualified for bringing a book of designs with him a while back and not telling anyone. I wonder if they were as strict about the rules there.

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com Judith Braun

    I’m going to stick up for JACKIE here regarding the list she put on her blog where contestants stretched the original limits of a challenge and were not penalized because they “asked the others”, as they were instructed to do. So apparently she was not being out of line to do that on this episode and was unfairly edited. I know editing is part of the game, but It’s not nice to edit someone as a (wanna-be) cheat. When I was there I saw a few things that were slipping by, but calling someone out was a sure way to lose friends. It’s a tough spot. Personally I think all the exceptions to the rules should have been vetoed…

    Here’s Jackie’s list:

    *Miles’ giant machine exceeded allotted dimensions in the gallery. Everyone “agreed” he could display it anyway.
    *The photograph for Miles’ Audi challenge piece wasn’t even taken the same day as that challenge. Yet he was never even questioned about it or required to ask others’ permission.
    *Peregrine was required to ask all of us if she could use newspaper to paper mache her pony in the child challenge, because newspaper was not one of the supplies we had available.
    *Erik was required to ask us if he could use a photograph of his girlfriend he brought with him from home during the Audi challenge.

    • artfagcity

      I didn’t interpret her asking the other artists if she could do something like that as out of line — I just assumed there were other instances in which stuff like this would have to be worked out. Ultimately though, you have to present a compelling case for yourself, and while discussion was probably a little more involved, the group dynamics were such that she didn’t win that battle. In that sense it’s like Survival and it’s just part of the game.

      Like you I’m inclined to think all exceptions should have been vetoed but that’s the way these things go I guess. I remember someone on Project Runway got disqualified for bringing a book of designs with him a while back and not telling anyone. I wonder if they were as strict about the rules there.

      • artfagcity

        Admittedly though I may have been unfairly harsh on Jackie. More than anyone else, her enduring presence on the show has annoyed me — even without the producer’s hands I think she erodes the progress made by feminists. She seems obsessed with displaying her femininity but has no vision about what that might look like past outdated stereotypes: She’s the powerless victim, she’s well suited for childbearing, she’s indecisive and needs direction (typically from men).

        So even if the cheating was pervasive and she suffered unduly, I have a hard time feeling any sympathy.

        • http://www.judithannbraun.com Judith Braun

          I don’t fall for the sympathy card much, which is what came between me and Jackie from day one, but I’m using this particular story to point out that because I saw the whole thing as “a game”, I also think games are best played and enjoyed with consistent rules. There was a huge range of different materials that each contestant brought with them, within guidelines, but those lines were broad and wavy. And then there was the “supply room”, which was stocked “in a way”, and the 3 computers and printers being shared by everyone, with no time slots. Finally the SPECIAL RULE that everything you didn’t use from a challenge (from art or hardware store) was to be put into the Supply Room afterwards…(honor system) So gradually there was who-knows-what in there, or in people’s work spaces.

          I think it would be more fun to really limit the materials, give each person the same few items and then see what they do.

  • chevronnine

    So… how is it that Miles, a country boy from Minnesota, has almost no tan lines? I’m not complaining — I’d hit that six ways from Sunday — just wondering.

  • chevronnine

    So… how is it that Miles, a country boy from Minnesota, has almost no tan lines? I’m not complaining — I’d hit that six ways from Sunday — just wondering.

  • chevronnine

    So… how is it that Miles, a country boy from Minnesota, has almost no tan lines? I’m not complaining — I’d hit that six ways from Sunday — just wondering.

  • chevronnine

    So… how is it that Miles, a country boy from Minnesota, has almost no tan lines? I’m not complaining — I’d hit that six ways from Sunday — just wondering.

  • chevronnine

    So… how is it that Miles, a country boy from Minnesota, has almost no tan lines? I’m not complaining — I’d hit that six ways from Sunday — just wondering.

  • Not Ben

    Whoever wins is going to feel the pressure of the solo show. A lot of hype surrounding this thing! Brravvooo!

  • Not Ben

    Whoever wins is going to feel the pressure of the solo show. A lot of hype surrounding this thing! Brravvooo!

  • Not Ben

    Whoever wins is going to feel the pressure of the solo show. A lot of hype surrounding this thing! Brravvooo!

  • http://www.daingore.com/ Dain Q Gore

    I’m no chemist, but I lost even more respect for Miles when he wanted to make “Mustard Gas” without thinking of the consequences. You work in a studio with others, you spray your fixative outside, let alone combine your hazardous materials! That’s standard etiquette and common human decency. Mad Scientist, indeed!

    • Son of Mecha Mummy

      I think the odds of Miles actually ever being serious about that idea are so slim. It strikes me as another one of his reality TV character quirks.

    • Son of Mecha Mummy

      I think the odds of Miles actually ever being serious about that idea are so slim. It strikes me as another one of his reality TV character quirks.

    • Son of Mecha Mummy

      I think the odds of Miles actually ever being serious about that idea are so slim. It strikes me as another one of his reality TV character quirks.

      • sarae

        Yes, it was obvious he was joking around to get air-time.

    • flossy

      It actually makes chlorine gas, but whatever. That stuff is nasty too.

  • http://www.daingore.com/ Dain Q Gore

    I’m no chemist, but I lost even more respect for Miles when he wanted to make “Mustard Gas” without thinking of the consequences. You work in a studio with others, you spray your fixative outside, let alone combine your hazardous materials! That’s standard etiquette and common human decency. Mad Scientist, indeed!

    • Son of Mecha Mummy

      I think the odds of Miles actually ever being serious about that idea are so slim. It strikes me as another one of his reality TV character quirks.

      • sarae

        Yes, it was obvious he was joking around to get air-time.

    • flossy

      It actually makes chlorine gas, but whatever. That stuff is nasty too.

  • m

    I thought it was lame that the other contestants seemed upset about Jackie asking to use the photo. If you believe in your own work then what’s the big deal? Besides, I doubt it would have helped J anyway….What’s the difference if she takes the photo at night or during “studio time”?…My best ideas come when I’m not “working”

    ps. What a shame that the only female guest judge was so bad. Shit, D. Butterfield would have been better.

    • Michelle P.

      Agreed m. A lot of problem solving and ideas come when we are out of the studio.

      I sort of wish Jaclyn had gone out with less of a whimper. Both she and Trong were portrayed as being lazy on the couch during their voted-off episode. Miles smartly diverted that problem by sleeping just about every where else.

      I loved Abdi’s drawing sans frame, but don’t think his work will be substantial enough compared to what Miles and Peregrine put together. Also, he might have considered removing his shorts for the Baptism. I am excited to see Peregrine’s work now as she moves into sculpture. She might have learned that tiny cut-out figures don’t work so well since Jamie Lynn already tried that to disastrous results. That Nicole chose to make molds so often on this show is astonishing, given how much time that takes to do. This is proof that working with materials takes time. I am looking forward to what everyone makes when they have longer time to work on their pieces.

      Bring back Nao! She would be a great contender for the Brooklyn Museum.

    • Michelle P.

      Agreed m. A lot of problem solving and ideas come when we are out of the studio.

      I sort of wish Jaclyn had gone out with less of a whimper. Both she and Trong were portrayed as being lazy on the couch during their voted-off episode. Miles smartly diverted that problem by sleeping just about every where else.

      I loved Abdi’s drawing sans frame, but don’t think his work will be substantial enough compared to what Miles and Peregrine put together. Also, he might have considered removing his shorts for the Baptism. I am excited to see Peregrine’s work now as she moves into sculpture. She might have learned that tiny cut-out figures don’t work so well since Jamie Lynn already tried that to disastrous results. That Nicole chose to make molds so often on this show is astonishing, given how much time that takes to do. This is proof that working with materials takes time. I am looking forward to what everyone makes when they have longer time to work on their pieces.

      Bring back Nao! She would be a great contender for the Brooklyn Museum.

      • artfagcity

        I didn’t think Jaclyn looked lazy. She was whine-y about her cold, but the sleeping itself didn’t look bad to me. That’s what you do when you’re sick right?

        Anyway, a bunch of contestants talk about getting ideas in their downtime. That’s fine. It’s the working in the downtime that’s not cool. I mean, you see how frequently they’re down to the wire. To me that’s more significant. That said, as Judith mentions, I think it would have been better if no rule bending occurred.

    • Michelle P.

      Agreed m. A lot of problem solving and ideas come when we are out of the studio.

      I sort of wish Jaclyn had gone out with less of a whimper. Both she and Trong were portrayed as being lazy on the couch during their voted-off episode. Miles smartly diverted that problem by sleeping just about every where else.

      I loved Abdi’s drawing sans frame, but don’t think his work will be substantial enough compared to what Miles and Peregrine put together. Also, he might have considered removing his shorts for the Baptism. I am excited to see Peregrine’s work now as she moves into sculpture. She might have learned that tiny cut-out figures don’t work so well since Jamie Lynn already tried that to disastrous results. That Nicole chose to make molds so often on this show is astonishing, given how much time that takes to do. This is proof that working with materials takes time. I am looking forward to what everyone makes when they have longer time to work on their pieces.

      Bring back Nao! She would be a great contender for the Brooklyn Museum.

  • m

    I thought it was lame that the other contestants seemed upset about Jackie asking to use the photo. If you believe in your own work then what’s the big deal? Besides, I doubt it would have helped J anyway….What’s the difference if she takes the photo at night or during “studio time”?…My best ideas come when I’m not “working”

    ps. What a shame that the only female guest judge was so bad. Shit, D. Butterfield would have been better.

  • m

    I thought it was lame that the other contestants seemed upset about Jackie asking to use the photo. If you believe in your own work then what’s the big deal? Besides, I doubt it would have helped J anyway….What’s the difference if she takes the photo at night or during “studio time”?…My best ideas come when I’m not “working”

    ps. What a shame that the only female guest judge was so bad. Shit, D. Butterfield would have been better.

  • m

    I thought it was lame that the other contestants seemed upset about Jackie asking to use the photo. If you believe in your own work then what’s the big deal? Besides, I doubt it would have helped J anyway….What’s the difference if she takes the photo at night or during “studio time”?…My best ideas come when I’m not “working”

    ps. What a shame that the only female guest judge was so bad. Shit, D. Butterfield would have been better.

    • Michelle P.

      Agreed m. A lot of problem solving and ideas come when we are out of the studio.

      I sort of wish Jaclyn had gone out with less of a whimper. Both she and Trong were portrayed as being lazy on the couch during their voted-off episode. Miles smartly diverted that problem by sleeping just about every where else.

      I loved Abdi’s drawing sans frame, but don’t think his work will be substantial enough compared to what Miles and Peregrine put together. Also, he might have considered removing his shorts for the Baptism. I am excited to see Peregrine’s work now as she moves into sculpture. She might have learned that tiny cut-out figures don’t work so well since Jamie Lynn already tried that to disastrous results. That Nicole chose to make molds so often on this show is astonishing, given how much time that takes to do. This is proof that working with materials takes time. I am looking forward to what everyone makes when they have longer time to work on their pieces.

      Bring back Nao! She would be a great contender for the Brooklyn Museum.

      • artfagcity

        I didn’t think Jaclyn looked lazy. She was whine-y about her cold, but the sleeping itself didn’t look bad to me. That’s what you do when you’re sick right?

        Anyway, a bunch of contestants talk about getting ideas in their downtime. That’s fine. It’s the working in the downtime that’s not cool. I mean, you see how frequently they’re down to the wire. To me that’s more significant. That said, as Judith mentions, I think it would have been better if no rule bending occurred.

  • http://www.roygreenart.blogspot.com royston

    I liked the drawing by abdi..it at least it showed some technical skill…glad to see nicole’s hippie art get the boot…peregrine is interesting and scary in a good way..miles is so mfa grad school..i think peregrine will win…

  • http://www.roygreenart.blogspot.com royston

    I liked the drawing by abdi..it at least it showed some technical skill…glad to see nicole’s hippie art get the boot…peregrine is interesting and scary in a good way..miles is so mfa grad school..i think peregrine will win…

  • http://www.roygreenart.blogspot.com royston

    I liked the drawing by abdi..it at least it showed some technical skill…glad to see nicole’s hippie art get the boot…peregrine is interesting and scary in a good way..miles is so mfa grad school..i think peregrine will win…

  • http://www.roygreenart.blogspot.com royston

    I liked the drawing by abdi..it at least it showed some technical skill…glad to see nicole’s hippie art get the boot…peregrine is interesting and scary in a good way..miles is so mfa grad school..i think peregrine will win…

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com judith Braun

    Anyone think there’s an uncanny similarity between Abdi’s baptism figure drawing and the reclining figures of Kehinde Wiley at Deitch 2008 show? There were several, one called Veiled Christ, all large, horizontal compositions.

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com judith Braun

    Anyone think there’s an uncanny similarity between Abdi’s baptism figure drawing and the reclining figures of Kehinde Wiley at Deitch 2008 show? There were several, one called Veiled Christ, all large, horizontal compositions.

    • sarcasatire

      I see no similarities between Abdi’s and Wiliey’s work other than the fact that the composition is horizontal and they both feature black men. The emotonal tone of both differ greatly. Plus, Wiley’s scthick is that he references classical paintings. I’ve seen pieces of his that resemble the Pieta, and other works, almost exactly. The difference is that his subjects are young black men dressed in urban streetwear. Could it be said that Abdi was, if anything, referencing a classic work and not Wiley?

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com judith Braun

    Anyone think there’s an uncanny similarity between Abdi’s baptism figure drawing and the reclining figures of Kehinde Wiley at Deitch 2008 show? There were several, one called Veiled Christ, all large, horizontal compositions.

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com judith Braun

    Anyone think there’s an uncanny similarity between Abdi’s baptism figure drawing and the reclining figures of Kehinde Wiley at Deitch 2008 show? There were several, one called Veiled Christ, all large, horizontal compositions.

  • http://www.judithannbraun.com judith Braun

    Anyone think there’s an uncanny similarity between Abdi’s baptism figure drawing and the reclining figures of Kehinde Wiley at Deitch 2008 show? There were several, one called Veiled Christ, all large, horizontal compositions.

    • sarcasatire

      I see no similarities between Abdi’s and Wiliey’s work other than the fact that the composition is horizontal and they both feature black men. The emotonal tone of both differ greatly. Plus, Wiley’s scthick is that he references classical paintings. I’ve seen pieces of his that resemble the Pieta, and other works, almost exactly. The difference is that his subjects are young black men dressed in urban streetwear. Could it be said that Abdi was, if anything, referencing a classic work and not Wiley?

  • jen

    I don’t think Miles really had any intention of actually making mustard gas. I mean, what was he going to do with it once he’d made it? I think it was all just part of his ‘oooh I’m such a crazy, experimental artist, aren’t I quirky’ act.

  • jen

    I don’t think Miles really had any intention of actually making mustard gas. I mean, what was he going to do with it once he’d made it? I think it was all just part of his ‘oooh I’m such a crazy, experimental artist, aren’t I quirky’ act.

    • http://jeffevans.carbonmade.com Jeff Evans

      The fact that Miles would even talk about creating mustard gas in the studio, whether or not he had any intention of doing so, is indicative of some sociopathic tendencies. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon used in World War I. Its effects include irritation and burning of the eyes, even blindness, blistering of the skin, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It is particularly insidious because its effects aren’t immediately apparent and may take a few hours or a day before they show up.

      • Dina

        That’s a pretty big leap from “making a not particularly funny joke” or “playing up to the cameras” to “sociopath.”

      • Dina

        That’s a pretty big leap from “making a not particularly funny joke” or “playing up to the cameras” to “sociopath.”

      • Dina

        That’s a pretty big leap from “making a not particularly funny joke” or “playing up to the cameras” to “sociopath.”

      • flossy

        Did nobody take two seconds to look this up? Bleach + Ammonia =/= mustard gas! It can create chlorine gas, which is certainly nasty, but NOT mustard gas which is far worse.

        Besides, Miles was obviously joking, and that does not a sociopath make.

        • http://www.artfagcity.com Art Fag City

          I didn’t think to look it up. I mean, once you know, it’s obvious you should have, but it probably wasn’t the first thing most people thought of. I didn’t even think too carefully about whether he’d actually planned to do it. It was clear to me that was never going to happen regardless of his plans, so I just dismissed the entire narrative as show filler.

    • http://jeffevans.carbonmade.com Jeff Evans

      The fact that Miles would even talk about creating mustard gas in the studio, whether or not he had any intention of doing so, is indicative of some sociopathic tendencies. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon used in World War I. Its effects include irritation and burning of the eyes, even blindness, blistering of the skin, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It is particularly insidious because its effects aren’t immediately apparent and may take a few hours or a day before they show up.

    • http://jeffevans.carbonmade.com Jeff Evans

      The fact that Miles would even talk about creating mustard gas in the studio, whether or not he had any intention of doing so, is indicative of some sociopathic tendencies. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon used in World War I. Its effects include irritation and burning of the eyes, even blindness, blistering of the skin, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It is particularly insidious because its effects aren’t immediately apparent and may take a few hours or a day before they show up.

    • http://jeffevans.carbonmade.com Jeff Evans

      The fact that Miles would even talk about creating mustard gas in the studio, whether or not he had any intention of doing so, is indicative of some sociopathic tendencies. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon used in World War I. Its effects include irritation and burning of the eyes, even blindness, blistering of the skin, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It is particularly insidious because its effects aren’t immediately apparent and may take a few hours or a day before they show up.

  • jen

    I don’t think Miles really had any intention of actually making mustard gas. I mean, what was he going to do with it once he’d made it? I think it was all just part of his ‘oooh I’m such a crazy, experimental artist, aren’t I quirky’ act.

  • jen

    I don’t think Miles really had any intention of actually making mustard gas. I mean, what was he going to do with it once he’d made it? I think it was all just part of his ‘oooh I’m such a crazy, experimental artist, aren’t I quirky’ act.

    • http://jeffevans.carbonmade.com Jeff Evans

      The fact that Miles would even talk about creating mustard gas in the studio, whether or not he had any intention of doing so, is indicative of some sociopathic tendencies. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon used in World War I. Its effects include irritation and burning of the eyes, even blindness, blistering of the skin, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It is particularly insidious because its effects aren’t immediately apparent and may take a few hours or a day before they show up.

      • Dina

        That’s a pretty big leap from “making a not particularly funny joke” or “playing up to the cameras” to “sociopath.”

      • flossy

        Did nobody take two seconds to look this up? Bleach + Ammonia =/= mustard gas! It can create chlorine gas, which is certainly nasty, but NOT mustard gas which is far worse.

        Besides, Miles was obviously joking, and that does not a sociopath make.

        • http://www.artfagcity.com Art Fag City

          I didn’t think to look it up. I mean, once you know, it’s obvious you should have, but it probably wasn’t the first thing most people thought of. I didn’t even think too carefully about whether he’d actually planned to do it. It was clear to me that was never going to happen regardless of his plans, so I just dismissed the entire narrative as show filler.

  • peps

    for non-north american readers, especially those without tvs, the amount of coverage of this show is really tiresome. i had to take afc off my rss reader! :(

    • artfagcity

      The show ends next week. You can resubscribe then.

  • peps

    for non-north american readers, especially those without tvs, the amount of coverage of this show is really tiresome. i had to take afc off my rss reader! :(

  • peps

    for non-north american readers, especially those without tvs, the amount of coverage of this show is really tiresome. i had to take afc off my rss reader! :(

    • artfagcity

      The show ends next week. You can resubscribe then.

  • atonaladam

    Holbein’s Dead Christ is loved by so many painters (many profiles of a dead Christ also exist). Wiley and Abdi are totally different artists. The difference between him and Wiley is overt and I think the problem for people is learning to see the differences. That, to me, is a shame as it is those differences that are critical in art. I don’t believe one can claim a subject. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Abdi, a Christian, was unaware of Wiley’s work because so many dead Christs exist in art history/imagery.

  • atonaladam

    Holbein’s Dead Christ is loved by so many painters (many profiles of a dead Christ also exist). Wiley and Abdi are totally different artists. The difference between him and Wiley is overt and I think the problem for people is learning to see the differences. That, to me, is a shame as it is those differences that are critical in art. I don’t believe one can claim a subject. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Abdi, a Christian, was unaware of Wiley’s work because so many dead Christs exist in art history/imagery.

  • atonaladam

    Holbein’s Dead Christ is loved by so many painters (many profiles of a dead Christ also exist). Wiley and Abdi are totally different artists. The difference between him and Wiley is overt and I think the problem for people is learning to see the differences. That, to me, is a shame as it is those differences that are critical in art. I don’t believe one can claim a subject. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Abdi, a Christian, was unaware of Wiley’s work because so many dead Christs exist in art history/imagery.

  • http://www.milgo-bufkin.com/sculputurefabrication.html Steven Mesler

    What struck me most about the show was the generosity that existed between 4 of the 5 artists despite being in competition with each other. Jaclyn request to use creative material completed outside of the studio time was denied and that was perhaps a bit petty. Aside from that, I saw what I see in the art world in general, a “were all in this together” atmosphere, a free exchange of ideas and suggestions, and offers of assistance. That’s one of the things that sets the art world apart and that will serve the remaining artists well as they make their way.

    Finally, this show isn’t the silliest most absurd thing I’ve ever seen in the art world. Not by a long shot.

  • http://www.milgo-bufkin.com/sculputurefabrication.html Steven Mesler

    What struck me most about the show was the generosity that existed between 4 of the 5 artists despite being in competition with each other. Jaclyn request to use creative material completed outside of the studio time was denied and that was perhaps a bit petty. Aside from that, I saw what I see in the art world in general, a “were all in this together” atmosphere, a free exchange of ideas and suggestions, and offers of assistance. That’s one of the things that sets the art world apart and that will serve the remaining artists well as they make their way.

    Finally, this show isn’t the silliest most absurd thing I’ve ever seen in the art world. Not by a long shot.

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