I love that fine art and its process is a reality based show. This was the episode I was waiting for. I love that Andres Serrano's work was highlighted - more history would have been nice. But there is something really disjointed about the way the show is edited. The truth is - no one made shock art. A socially relevant work of art is not shocking. Then China Chow has to read a Q card that says - your work truly shocked us - when it didn't. Who puts this stuff together? I know this has got to be a difficult show to put together but it can't be mindlessly presented.

How do I get on the show? Are applications being accepted for season 2?

I enjoy the show. Finally something on Bravo other then mindless housewives,getting all worked up over themselves. The tasks they do are interesting.Its obvious that the cream is rising to the top. It will be interesting to see how these experts pick as "The Next Great Artist.

The auto fellatio I found to be stupid other than shocking. I wasn't offended by it or anything, but I felt like It didn't bring much thought into my mind all I thought was,"its a man sucking his dick...ok." Now as for abdids it was well put. I thought his portrayal of racial degregation was clever. Nicole's work was pecualiar and I felt like I could observe it all day long. Miles work was pretty well put and had a funny story behind it. Jamie-lynn not my favorite type of work but good execution.(I'm kinda glad she got eliminated.) The photographer pretty good, didn't wow me though. Nao, no offense never really liked her work, probably never will. Jaclyn, ugh..... I found it boring.You can go on facebook and find pictures like that and call it 'art'. maybe if she added more to it. But its just another excuse to show off that little frail body of her's. Ryans self portrait looked good. Not the best. Marks was not 'shocking' at first sight, but the symbolism of each object was great. Peregrines was a cool idea but it felt lacking like she had put no effort into it whatsover. and yeah thats all of them. I'm still watching the show because the people seem interesting to watch. So far I like nicole and I dont remember his name but he has tattoos and hates most of the people. Also Miles but for once I would like to see him sturggle a bit heh.

The great works of art are these comments!! e.g.: "The producers obviously cast him as the golden boy and Nao as the vagina dentata, that might accidentally eat him..." Love it JaneJoy. Keep'em coming.

Even though the JOHN AND NAO'S pieces weren't the very best - they were def more original than the other two contestants they kept. Eric and Jamie should have gone home. The judges on this show are real crap. Jerry Saltz and Simon de Pury are the only people worth a damn on this whole show- Jerry should be the host- enough of china and her silly attire-this IS NOT project runway. (Peregrine should have won this round just for making fun of China.) and even he sometimes misses the mark - he get's caught up in his own head and reputation and doesn't take the time to see the art at times.

After the "shocking" episode - I'm content to never watch this show again. John and Nao - although their pieces where not the best on this round - are 2 of the best artists this show has. They are both contemporary and REAL. It's really unfortunate that the judges on this show don't have the broadness of sight to understand that one should not vote off the worst piece - but should also consider the skill set and talent involved. When you have 4 artists in the bottom 4 - you dont get rid the best 2. Shame on them for voting off John and Nao. I thought for certain they were getting rid of the other two. With choices like that - this show will be off the air in no time.

I feel the comment Serrano made about art and how when it's made - isn't usually made with the intent to be shocking, but just turns out that way sometimes- was exactly correct. To make artists do something contrived in itself takes away the purity of how it turns out. How it's received should be a surprise to him/her, and this challenge to make a "shock" piece completely took that creative element away from the artists. I do enjoy watching and it makes for good TV when at first I thought I'd just cringe. I also think Miles is adorable and has talent, but his comment to Trong was totally out of line and not cool.... Criticizing others in such a negative way always comes off sounding petty and jealous. Much in the same the way Erik sounds when he constantly criticizes Miles...

Watching this with my art-hating husband is a good education for both of us - the judges critiques are essential and the reason we both watch. Excellent idea using mainstream format for such an out-there subject: it really works well. I question the theme of shocking - you're playing right into negative stereotypes and giving those viewers on the fence a reason to not return.

I wish they'd gotten rid of Jamie Lynn. I am also slightly irked by the overly large representation by painters and flat media artists who use traditional "art supplies", but as a fibre artist, I didn't expect to be counted by a reality show.

It's an entertaining trainwreck, nonetheless.

Abdi definitely deserved to win this one. His was the only one focused on rage & potential violence. John's was just stupid. Jaclyn did not deserve to be considered one of the top two. It was just an excuse for her to show off her body once more. I don't believe for a minute that she had already thought of using the sharpie to have people write comments. And it was in no way brave. It would have been brave had she had an unattractive body & risked the comments.

Ryans shocking photo is very reminiscent of a photo i remember seeing in high school of Kurt cobain.
and i agree completly with garbpesque...she is a total ego maniac.
also does it seem a bit unfair to even have Nicole no the show considering she related to someone on another bravo show? espicailly since her stuff is pretty sub par.
i really enjoy the idea of the show but there are some serious kinks that need to be worked out. i love that they are trying to remind people about the art culture but they need to work on it.

I agree with Jonna I think the contestants just missed the mark with this challage. Not the shows fault.

So disappointed that Nao was eliminated.

I also find the stats that Nancy posted extremely interesting. (thank you for that) Speaking as an artist of color and a woman, I can say that there are no good reasons left to watch the show. Although, I personally like Abdi as a personality, and think his work has some potential, I certainly can't agree that his work can compare to those who are more mature in their visions. The work that escaped criticism (big breasted nude portraits and the two New Yorker-esque covers)was amateur at worst and vapid at best. Even Serrano's positive comments were unable to turn the decision of the judges (or producers?). I'm not sure if this show is actually interested in 'great works of art', but I can see it is definitely interested in what sells, and that is certainly not a mystery and not new.

They have voted off some of the most serious artists
the format of the program is not working for artist who are installation , conceptual or performace artist..
it is bent toward wall work ... weaknes in the concept of the show .. art is not a 4 course dinner with desert.........

Abdi's candles look like something you might find at hot topic.

The photographer had a great idea but execution was just lacking. Not enough power in the images. They all seemed to just wimp out.

I guess it should have won seeing the concept was so far beyond anyone else's, but shocking, please not in the least.

Comment that this is to being an artist as Survivor is to being lost on an island for real is on the mark.

That being said hoping to learn something through the critiques... I think the performance art could have held on if the artist had a statement that communicated her intent to go with it. It just wasn't standing on its own... so it wasn't communicating, nor was the artist who did it.

The problems are interesting and it is interesting to see how these different artists deal with them... but their success or failure doesn't really say anything about them being an artist or not... just how well they dealt with that problem. Personally I consider myself an artist... (have a degree and made my living by it for some time) but I would have wiped out on this. It just isn't what I want to communicate through my art.

I don't know about anyone else who went to artschool, but being shocking is NOT about one-liners. That is a cheap and easy cop-out. John's work would have failed my painting class with that - not because it's vulgar (it didn't even make me bat an eyelid, really) but because it's a one-liner. Plain and simple. It would have been much more thought provoking if he lost the written headline (talk about stating the obvious!) and the image and did more with the other text. I found that to be the only part worth salvaging.

PS. Serrano's claim that he didn't anticipate that people would react the way they did with 'Piss Christ' and that its intent was so much deeper is also a load of... well... piss. I remember when he presented it; he's Catholic FFS - he knew exactly what he was doing - don't insult our intelligence.

While I didn't necessarily feel 'shocked' by the work portrayed, I was relieved that some still made me think. Abdi's piece was one that made you go 'hmmmm.'
I ask my students to watch this just for the sake of discussion, and we have had some very emotional ones. Whether or not this show is a positive for the art world in itself, it is making my students seriously consider what should be called art and what should not. I applaud Sarah Jessica for her efforts to call more attention to the artists of the world today, but I'm afraid this show has fallen victim to the world of ratings rather than the world of quality viewing. I'm going to give this show a chance and watch a vew more episodes. If I don't see anything with a higher quality to it, I'm going to stop watching and also encorage my students (high school) to do the same.

Jonna Williams: I agree that Abdi's work of art this week was really the only piece that made one think. I'm not sure what "racial dagragation" is however and I find it a little presumptuous of you to decide that those of us who are not considered artists by other artists have no right to criticize "those of us who are." Isn't that the reason for this commentary section? Even without considering your bad grammar and typos, and your rambling and mostly redundant 2 posts, you manage to sound both elitist and incoherent at the same time. Not a good way to express yourself as an "artist."

Love the show, love the drama, love the judges brutally honest comments. I agree with most all of their decisions so far.

What's shocking me is the number of people (all supposedly artists or art teachers) who watch this show despite hating it, and who seem to want nothing more than to see it's contestants and judges run out of the art world on a rail. I've enjoyed this show and in reading about it stumbled upon a few art sites (Art F*g City, Jesse P Martin) Just to let you know, you sound like the lowest kind of catty b*tches, more angry that something you love is being made available to the general public, than you do concerned members of the artistic community. I guess when you spend most of your life professionally overlooked by the general population you grow to resent anyone who gets their attention without 'paying their dues'. Honestly, I would find this outcry more in keeping with a bunch of stereotypical cheerleaders, pissed that a fat girl got into their squad and might lower their social capital. If you don't like it, stop watching it and stop talking about it, that's the most damaging thing you could do.

I think the point of the challenge was completely missed by ALL the artist. Only Abdi came close to understanding. Serrano's crucifix picture wasn't shocking for the fact that the crucifix was photographed in a jar of urine but because of the truth behind the message of the work which is that in today's society, the holy and sacred image of Christ has been tarnished completely.
The point of the challenge wasn't to make art that was gross or just flat out crude, it was to create something that was shocking because it made the viewer realize something about themselves and the world around them that they may have never seen before. Like in Abdi's work, it brought to light the harsh realities of the troubled lives of inner city kids subjected to racial degragation and street violance on a daily basis. That's should be shocking because young kids like that shouldn't be subjected to such horrific experiances.
As for the show itself, I find it intresting. I've picked up all kinds of new tricks from the artist on the show. The next great artist? maybe not. It takes more then a reality tv show to get you up there in the ranks with the big dogs in the art world, but then again I doubt that was the intent of the show.
And really, unless you are an artist yourself who as been recognized by others as being such, you have no real right to critize those of us who are.

I believe some of the people axed from the show r the ones we need on the show to see actual art and performance , miles is ok and Addi is making a move up but a few who r there made it off their work I applaud them but I think Nao should be brought back

I just love the show.....I enjoy seeing the processes other Artist take in creating there work. I really enjoy the sharing of creative experiences. As well as judging and viewing of the final works.
I have learned a lot just watching the show and listening to the judges.

Schocking art is boring art. Piss Christ? Poop, Pee, Sex, Blood. Fear is the most unsophisticated human emotion and this assignment encourages this very overdone, tired, obscene kiddy nonsense. Very uninteresting. But I do like the show, very entertaining and some of the art is very impressive given what little time there is to complete each project!

I think the point of the challenge was completely missed by ALL the artist. Only Abdi came close to understanding. Serrano's crucifix picture wasn't shocking for the fact that the crucifix was photographed in a jar of urine but because of the truth behind the message of the work which is that in today's society, the holy and sacred image of Christ has been tarnished completely.
The point of the challenge wasn't to make art that was gross or just flat out crude, it was to create something that was shocking because it made the viewer realize something about themselves and the world around them that they may have never seen before. Like in Abdi's work, it brought to light the harsh realities of the troubled lives of inner city kids subjected to racial degragation and street violance on a daily basis. That's should be shocking because young kids like that shouldn't be subjected to such horrific experiances.
Personally, as an artist myself, I would've done a sculptor of some pampered pooch in a pink fuzzy coat urinating on a dirty old homeless man. Why? because some how the value of human life in this day and age has been all jumbled up. We treat our pets and homeless animals better than we treat our fellow human brothers and that's sad, that's shocking. For me, art must stand for something just like any good novel or poem has somekind of deeper meaning and significance. You can't just take it for face value.
As for the show itself, I find it intresting. I've picked up all kinds of new tricks from the artist on the show. The next great artist? maybe not. It takes more then a reality tv show to get you up there in the ranks with the big dogs in the art world. However I guess this show is much like eveything else in the art world, everything is very subjective and what one person may adore, another person may absolutely disgust.

Serrano himself said that it's impossible to ask for someone to just create shock art on a whim and it's not for every artist. So why force so many different artists to think on the same level of working soley for a shock factor they couldn't even achieve? Attempting to force artists into a new box with extremely limited time was ultimately a failure.

I have a son that is an artist and through the years of watching him grow and develop into a really GREAT artist, I have learned to appreciate all genres of art dreemed

Listen,I think everyone is overreacting about this "Next Great Artist" thing. Obviously that's just a snazzy tagline to pump up the show. When I first heard about the show I thought is was ridiculous to try and turn creating art work into another reality show. And you know what,that's all this is and I'm fine with it.

Good job, people. You are so negative that it is any wonder artists go unappreciated these days. way to gain some interest in the show by berating it, when exposure is exposure, you childish pedantic miscreants. Instead of being envious, or petty, why not try to actually get on the show and show the world what you can do, otherwise, S.T.F.U. and enjoy it for entertainment sake, and look for Picasso in your pants. Have a nice day, a working fine artist for over 22 years.

It was sad that the producers have excluded children as viewers of this show.

art is in the eye of the beholder, what you think is art may not be art to someone else. that is art. i love the show, you have a wide spectrum of talent in each person on the show.

Nao Bustamante is one the most inspirational performance artists around! I remember when I saw her perform live, and couldn't even believe that I was acually there... They also rid of John Parot, who is also amazing. This show should be called "work of fart"! The judges are only interested in what can sell, and are for the most part clueless.

Also, the very premise of this show, that there is any 1 next great artist, is offensive and ridiculous in itself. Maybe that's true to the idiotic commercial gallerists who think that the highest selling price in an auction, but not to actual artists or real people. And second, the idea that making a great work of art in 18 hours is possible is another idiotic premise. Again, thanks for freeing me from this stupidity by sending john and nao home, because me and my friends are never watching this crap again.

Ok, so transgender people are shocking, and the judges think that's ok? Thanks for more transphobic, homophobic television. And Serrano said that Nao's piece was the most disturbing and the weirdest, so doesn't that mean that she won?! Simon couldn't even look at John's piece, so obviously it was shocking. The judges on this show are obviously idiots, and now that you got rid of Nao and John I'm free from suffering through this idiocy any more. As an art education at a major university myself, I only hope that my students don't watch this show and start to think that good art has ANYTHING to do with selling books.

The black heads look like candles one might buy in Wacko or The Soap Plant. Good for commerce. Bad for art.

They are quite simply handling this show ALL wrong.

I am trying hard to like this show but this episode was lame at best. And why did so many artists seem to think that shock value had to originate from something sexual? In today's society, variations on sexuality have become commonplace and certainly not shocking. I would enjoy the show a lot more if it became more mainstream.

And the score is:

ELIMINATED:

1 African-American woman
1 Asian man
1 female senior
1 Latina
1 gay man

Are we surprised?

I don't think I honestly could've come up with something knowing so much about Robert Mapplethorpe. How do you top the most shocking artist of all time? Jaclyn doesn't have anything on Mapplethorpe. Sorry. FAIL.

Judges
You were looking for shocking and had a guest judge to help you yet fell short again! Nao and John had work that was disturbing. Yet you let them go.

Marks pictures are a weak substitute for art. THEY ARE A DIGITAL CAMERA AND COMPUTER! Art is creation, not digital manipulation. NERDS.(reference classic art for details)

Equally un-inspiring is Jaclyn's schtick. A blushing semi-cute model for an artist? ok. No art found here yet.

China's cool but do we get new judges next year? My confidence in them is dwindling.....

Nothing really shocking on this episode. I don't think any of them met the challenge...most of them didn't even present a good effort. Don't really think the two that were let go were any less impressive than the rest. I hope the next episode is better.-Ty

It seems as if some of these contestants only took high school art classes. I know there's not a whole lot of time to put a lot of thought into a piece for the show but come on! I don't really see anything shocking in these pieces. Mark, Miles and Abdi seem like they actually know what their doing. Hope Miles wins.

Not a single one of these pieces is shocking but I also think the challenge was really bad.
I think our culture is kind of over shock, there isn't anything sexual, perverted, and destructive enough that we haven't already drummed up in our pea brains and procured fear and flight for.
BUT this is television. It upsets me because I think that it gives people the impression that artists make art for shock value. Some do but honestly but its not tasteful to concentrate on. I've made shocking work before but not with intent. I don't think that Andres Serrano makes art just to shock people, he puts realities on a pedestal as a rejoicing of life, loss, and many other core fundamentals addressed by humans.

Rewatching the DVR'd show (since the commercials go on---forever)...

MARK's commentary on child abuse - was great.

Abdi's (the winner) also great..tho I would have made the fuses a bit longer so they suggested bombs instead of candles. Not sure what current bombs look like,but most of us are used to seeing cartoon bombs with long fuses....

Have to agree with zz's commentary (see above) QUOTE "...they're mostly too young and naive to be of any real interest. In fact, a lot of the work is kind of embarrassing. Come on now...sex in your face is all they find shocking? Mark's dark insinuation was second only to Abdi's loaded time bombs."

Some of these people are only 10-15 years older than my 11 year old son...their idea of shocking is only slightly more sophisticated than his ideas~

AGAIN---many are "virginal" when it comes to truly understanding the depths of truly devouring evil in our world!

They need to read more CLASSICS, learn about the truly oppressed, and do additional things to ENRICH their anorixic souls!

I love Miles, and I think he should win. I love Peregrine, but she needs to quit drawing just girls/women. I felt the naked chick should have gone before NAO because anyone who cheats and doesn't at least own it doesn't have the balls for the real art world.

I'm really surprised at all the negativity surrounding this show: I LOVE this show. I love watching the creation process and the materials used etc. The personalities are great. It reminds me of being in art school for sure... but it's more than that.
I think that most the artist weren't that comfortable with "shock value" art. and didn't approach it well... but how many of us are? I wish Erik had not written on his image because I thought it was pretty good before that.

I didn't like Abdi's piece as well as Jacklyn's.

well...it's difficult to be an artist in our cultural environment. Many people prefer their artists dead. Stereotyping artistic creativity is another problem. Not all are insane, drunks or drug addicts, but artists do put in the long hours of work using their great and varied imaginations.

Artist-as-carnival-act is tough (and, I admit,intriguing) to watch, and I can't blame them for trying to gain national recognition by any means possible and $100,000.00!

Oh dear, MSFF, that is pretty old school. You know, Cezanne is one of my all time favorite artists. But not just for his paintings. For his process. He approached art like a chess game. A section of the reality of the world influenced a section of the reality of his painting which influenced how he saw a the world. Back and forth. This is what he wrote about, not just speculation. A lot of contemporary art is as much about process as about a final Grand product.