Thanks to ArtForum (Saatchi: From YBAs to BOBs) for the story that BBC2 will be airing a new reality TV show this autumn aimed at uncovering new contemporary artists of notable talent. The working title is ‘Best of British’:
Artists from all disciplines including installation, painting, digital media, sculpture, printmaking, performance art and others, are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are invited to enter their work via the submissions website at www.submityourart.com which launches on Monday 2 February and closes on Sunday 29 March.
Following a selection process, just six people will be selected to attend an Art School established uniquely for them where they will develop their work under the tutelage of some of the most innovative names in the art world today.
And, for one, the ultimate opportunity awaits as Saatchi has reserved a space for their work at his forthcoming exhibition at The Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia.
In a format similar to other talent shows 100 of the entries will be initially shortlisted, then 50 of these presented in an exhibition to Saatchi. It is 6 of these that he then picks to go to the ‘specially created Art School’ for three months. I’m guessing the format will be similar to Fame Academy, but presumably not residential. For those of us who have spent time at art school one also wonders to what extent the program makers are going to wrestle with deciding how to present (and no doubt censor) each individual’s creative process. I expect this may be a significant factor as to whether or not the show ‘works’. Final words from Peter Dale, executive producer, on his hopes for the series:
The contemporary art world has famously been a controversial arena with some claiming the work is incomprehensible to the untrained eye, or created purely to shock and get headlines for the artist.
For viewers who are passionate about this art form, Saatchi’s Best Of British offers a fascinating insight behind the scenes and into the minds that create the work, what inspires it and what it means.
For others, it will be a journey of discovery as the series demystifies the subject and makes the art more accessible.
The debate will be reflected, not only in the programmes, but also on the series website where viewers will be invited to share their opinions.
Filed under: Exhibitions & Events, Television, BBC Best of British, Charles Saatchi, Contemporary Art
