The Great Big Yawning Art Challenge

The flaw inherent to all TV art competitions is the absence of the Nasty Judge: the Simon Cowell-like figure, suitably deficient in empathy to render every deluded hobbyist entrant to a quivering mound of heaving rejection; to satisfy our own hateful needs, to successfully trash the dream of the deluded, to sour the optimism of those who dare to hold aspirations. Is this not the only thing that could make such lousy television worth watching?

It is apparent art is so revered in the minds of TV producers they dare not reduce art criticism to the humiliation of the X-factor format. Channel 4 once attempted an X-factor-style art show which resulted in continual fervent adoration from Tracy Emin for the eventual winner while Matthew Collings exercised his trademark non-committance (lest his ventured opinion offends one of his art world chums, I assume).

The BBC's effort demonstrations either their feigned impartiality or their feigned left-wing stance by ensuring only banal hobbyists can enter with the possible notion of making the show not too threatening for the general viewer. If they are aiming to encourage the public the take up art, there is no room for the nasty judge here. Instead, the show's creators satisfy their peculiar penchant for forcing barely competent artists into painting moving objects (?) Perhaps eager to avoid looking too mean from harshly critiquing the contestants, the judges decided to make things so difficult for them their efforts can only elicit harsh criticism, thus creating a harshness by proxy.

Or perhaps the distinct lack of the harsh judge is due to the fact no successful or talented (or 'talented') artist would demean herself by entering such a show, let alone a show made by the BBC. With the absence of skilful efforts from the contestants, a nasty judge would have a field day. It would be like watching the X-factor auditions but with the same applicants each week. There would be nothing positive said to justify the BBC continuing the show.

Over and out for now, guys!

xxx


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