Charles Saatchi and BBC Set to Launch Reality TV Show to Discover Next Generation of Artistic Talent
January 27th, 2009
Charles Saatchi, photo via Welt
British art collector, Charles Saatchi, famous for launching the now established careers of “Young British Artists” of the 1990′s such as Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin and others, is set to preside over a new reality television show on BBC2, described as the Art X Factor.
In an attempt to be the next YBA Hirst or Emin, artists over the age of 18 and residing in the UK will submit their work online. All artistic genres, from painting to conceptual, will be accepted. A panel of art world experts will narrow the entries down to approximately 50 which will then be presented to Saatchi in the form of an exhibition. Saatchi, himself, will then select six of these artists to participate in the TV show “Saatchi’s Best of British.”
Charles Saatchi is indisputably one of the most significant figures in the art world. In 1970, Saatchi founded the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi with his brother Maurice. By 1986 Saatchi and Saatchi grew to be the largest ad agency in the world, with over 600 offices. Yet Saatchi is as much famous perhaps for his direct influence in the art market, establishing the Saatchi Gallery in 1985 in London. He recently opened his new space in October of last year at Duke of York Headquarters Building in Chelsea, London (as covered by Art Observed here). In 1997 he mounted an exhibition at the Royal Academy titled Sensation, which travelled to Berlin and New York ruffling feathers along the way and causing the regognition of the artists in the show to in most cases shift to an entirely higher plane.
Jonathan Jones: Reality TV has nothing to offer the art world [Guardian]
Saatchi to front art talent show [BBC]
BBC and Charles Saatchi Launch Reality Show [Art Daily]
Charles Saatchi to host Art X-Factor [Times]
TV show hunts for next Damien Hirst [Metro]
Reality show taps Saatchi [CBC]
X Factor for budding artists [Marie Claire]
More after the jump…
The six artist contestants in the show will enter a specially created three month intensive art school taught by as of yet, unnamed famous artists. The notoriously camera shy Saatchi will appear on screen interacting with contestants but will never speak directly to the camera.
After three months, Saatchi will silently select a winner whose work will be shown at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia, in October. The exhibition will then go to Saatchi’s new gallery in Chelsea, West London but the collector, himself, will not be permitted to purchase the winner’s work.
Saatchi said of the show, “I am looking forward to the prospect of finding undiscovered British talent. Anyone with a fresh creative approach should enter – because nobody knows where the next art star will emerge from.”
According to the show’s executive producer, Peter Dale, the show also aims to “demystify” contemporary art and spark debate. Viewers will be able to share their opinions on the series website.
If you are over 18 and reside in the UK you may submit your artwork at www.submityourart.com from February 2, 2009 – March 29, 2009.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
[...] More on Saatchi’s art reality competition reality show. (via art [...]
January 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
It’s a clever way to get the average TV viewer interested in what’s happening in contemporary art. I look forward to the show, but not necessarily the breeding of a new Damien Hirst…
March 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
From the rules, “All Artists must submit a photograph of themselves and provide all the details required on the application. ”
How interesting. I wonder why they would need to see a photo of how you looked to judge your talent as an artist? Oh wait, I know, because they want to make sure you look good on television and don’t care about talent. Oh Saatchi, you’ve done it again you scamp!
April 5th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
This is obviously going to make Saatchi a boatload of money. Think of how much he will make off of each piece of work sold by whomever wins the grand prize. Take American Idol, for instance: Simon Cowell has been making millions off of every album sold by any of the winners (AND runners-up!) from every season since the beginning. Through Sony BMG, he has sold more records than Bruce Springsteen and the man is completely devoid of a shred of musical talent. I won’t be surprised if Saatchi sits on stage left spouting off art speak disses and begrudging compliments. My point is, however, that it is so painfully obvious that this is merely a money-scheme and, in my opinion, represents the downfall of what we (or maybe just I) now cherish as contemporary art.
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I think it is much more advantageous for me as a young artist to utilize tools like the web to promote my art. I mean when I look at certain art websites ( something like putiton.com ) I really believe I can make more money and promote myself better without tarnishing my image through things like this than through reality TV.
It is sad that the older generation like Saatchi do not yet realize that the vibrant artistic communities are thriving organically! Maybe they could pump some money into that instead!
It is also true that the quality of art has suffered through these moguls wanting to make money.
Vincent Van Gogh would never have gone on a show like this, or would have been ridiculed on TV, because everyone thought he was nuts. But NOW everyone acknowledges his work and even try to paint like him!
Funny that both Judges are BOTH standard goldsmiths post- modernist stock, and are BOTH Saatchi proteges…
This just reminds me why we need an artistic revolution. Personally I think it is already happening… Let them have the show. They will only look like ridiculous stereotypes of themselves anyway!
September 1st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
[...] art portals and high school art classes. This is no conspiracy. This is just the way things go. But is this enough? It is an open secret that tucked away in the entrails of the talk about art is [...]
November 19th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
vangogh was the beginning of an era
June 14th, 2010 at 3:56 am
No sé bien cómo llegué a tu blog. Muy bueno. Suerte!