Bravo TV's 'Work of Art' favors emo-hipster backstabber Miles Mendenhall

If little else, Bravo TV's "Work of Art" -- the new reality series set in the New York gallery scene -- proves that the art world is no different from just about every other profession: It's filled with sleaze, political intrigue and big egos run amok.

The series' second episode, which aired Wednesday night, set a new challenge for the contestants. Using discarded electronics appliances, they were tasked with making an original sculpture that reveals something about the inner essences of themselves and the objects they chose. 

Artist Jon Kessler, who is renowned for his mixed-media creations, made an appearance as a guest judge and sage.

The first half of the episode proceeded more or less uneventfully. The artists, who vary in age and artistic experience, seemed mostly drawn to old television sets, which they used in various configurations and states of semi-destruction.

From time to time, auction-house host Simon de Pury dropped in to deliver encouragement and to raise the occasional skeptical eyebrow.

As in last week's episode, there was little serious talk about art aside from banal generalities. In an indication of just how seriously the producers regard art history, there was no mention Wednesday of Marcel Duchamp, Nam June Paik or other pioneers in the field of found-object sculpture.

The camera seemed to linger most lovingly on hipster twink Miles Mendenhall, the bed-headed University of Minnesota graduate who talks endlessly about his obsessive-compulsive disorder and chronic insomnia.

Keep reading -- SPOILER ALERT -- about who won and who was sent packing.

Outwardly boyish and indie-spirited, Miles soon proved that he had the mentality of a corporate shark. During the judges' review of the completed sculptures, Miles stabbed one of his fellow contestants in the back by voicing unsolicited criticism of Trong Nguyen's failed work of art. Is Miles the show's  equivalent of Omarosa? It's too early to say, but every show needs a really good villain.

In the end, Miles won this week's competition for his bizarre installation featuring a pseudo-bed surrounded by sculptures of giant anuses. (Miles took a nap in his own creation, adding a level of performance art to the piece.) Trong was eliminated from the show for his simplistic work that featured a group of television sets staring at each other.

Next week, "Work of Art" will feature models posing in the nude for our remaining contestants. It's sure to add a jolt of uneasy humor to the series, which some have faulted for its lack of theatrics and drama. But if it's bad behavior in the art world that you want, you're better off revisiting Terry Zwigoff's underrated comedy "Art School Confidential."

-- David Ng

Photo: 'Work of Art' contestant Miles Mendenhall. Credit: Bravo

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Twitter checks in on Bravo TV's 'Work of Art'

'Work of Art' on Bravo: What did the critics think?

Comments

[william wray]

I'm enjoying the show, the reviews and the comments. I hope tonight's show in reviewed as well.

[Rebecca]

I was also baffled that he didn't use a single found object! The piece was interesting, so much so, that detail may have easily slipped by most but as soon as it becomes apparent, one must wonder, how is Miles wooing the judges so completely? Anyone else would have been torn to shreds for their lack of compliance, and I also found his outburst toward Trong totally un-necessary, vain and pretentious. I think Trong had a lot more to offer and it was really disappointing to see him go. As for Miles, he is talented, there's no denying it, but I also sense he may be as self-involved as Jaclyn- a contestant I find almost harder to watch than Nao... which should say a lot. Let's see just how genuine his quirkiness is as the episodes roll on v. how much he's playing into himself. I doubt I'll be surprised and thus, another TV "hipster" hunk is born (as is evident with all of the groupies defending him so emphatically below). Yawn.

[Steven Kelly]

Also, as an addendum, just to show that I disliked every sentence of this wannabe-snarky post:

If this show proves anything, it is that art is less "filled with sleaze, political intrigue and big egos run amok" than the "other professions." Granted, all of the contestants have big egos and big personalities, but duh, they're reality show contestants, and duh, they're artists. For the most part the contestants keep it real. They're way less obnoxious than any other reality show contestants I've seen. The producers really have to mine their footage to find dirt on these characters, almost all of whom are pretty averse to "drama," given the pressure that they are under.

[lily]

Who ever wrote this article really knows how to exaggerate! he simply voice his opinion,and said it right in front of Mr. Trong so how is that backstabbing? he's not the only one to voice his opinion about a fellow peers work to the judges.so did Judith when as about Jackie's work,she said it "lack skill" . so i find this article a bit to much CLAM DOWN!!

[susan strohm]

I have taught art informally for many years. I love to see students develope their own sense of style, and the diversity of thought that comes with it all.
I, very much, enjoyed the first two programs, with the quirkiness, and sincerity of the contestants. However, the "shocking" show saddened me to see these people compromise themselves on national TV, just to make a name for themselves in the art world. I felt "slimed" after watching that show, and will not be tuning in again.
"Shocking" in today's art world would be something uplifting, original,and inspirational, with the artists, and judges having integrity, and respect for themselves, and others.

[phon]

Trong probably just sabotaged himself with a boring piece and told Miles to say that. Miles "art" performance piece of OCD eccentric artist is played although there is no lie that their is arrogance behind it: he is talented and good to look at and he knows it. We all know that he mocking and acting.

[Anon]

I assume that the 'artists' for this show were chosen by a panel from the art world's mismanagement group. Doesn't the panel have some expertise in prejudging contestants or is it akin to the expertise of agents in the publishing business, where everything goes, including ethics? How in Hell did those contestants get on the show? What does it take? - egotism, ignorance, and a need to be publicly humiliated? And what, if any, is Parker's role in this fiasco? - Is her ego swollen enough for her to take pride in being the host masochist at a flagellation party for dilettantes?

[william]

Jacqualin has a huge head, big ugly eyes, a bad boob job and a weird walk. Who the hell told this girl she was hot. Probably a lot of late night drunk frat boys looking o get laid. She projected the photo she took of herself masturbating onto the canvas which is cheating.

[John]

The show is hogwash. There is no way an artist can produce a significant work of art in a day's time, unless you're at a cafe paying your dues with doodles on a napkin and you happen to be Picasso. That aside, Miles and the rest of the gang are pretty lame, and if you ask me, a work of art should stand on its own. Most of the time, these people spend a lot of words describing there pile of talentless misconstructions. Art school is for bores. Everything I learned from "Art School Confidential" is confirmed by these brats.

[j]

this guy is not an artist - but yes, he is a douchebag. i never even saw douchers this bad when i lived in l.a. and went to art school.

[Anooooooooon]

How about you respect him as an artist? What if you were in his position? He was honest, I see no wrong in that. And he is very, very talented. Are you an artist? Being an artist I can tell you aren't. You connot understand the complexiety and pressure of the modern art world unless you've experienced it first hand.

[Anooooooooon]

Oh, and you think he is sleeze? This article is sleeze..