I’m so happy for the three finalists and I wish them all nothing but the best.
So this episode marks the end of a year-long journey. Last July I learned about the open-call to audition for a show called the “Untitled Art Project”. I knew nothing about the show other than that it would be a reality competition show formatted like Project Runway, that it would focus on contemporary art, and that Sarah Jessica Parker would produce it.
After auditioning and moving along in the casting process (still knowing very little about the show) I became very excited about it. I’m still relatively young, but succeeding as an artist is extremely difficult, and I had been working as a studio assistant for two years and desperately wanted more time to focus on my own work. A lot of people had told me they’d love to see me on a reality show, and the idea of it was rather enticing.
BACK TO THE CHALLENGE:
I caught a bad virus at the Children’s museum a few days earlier, and I was definitely debilitated. It’s very unfortunate timing to get sick and I did everything I could to work despite my condition. I used any spare moment to catch up on sleep and regain my energy.
There is a scene of me sleeping on the couch that, admittedly, looks bad. I was exhausted because we woke up around 5 am and had breakfast, then drove to Connecticut, scavenged for materials in the rain, ate lunch, and then went shopping at two hardware stores and at Utrecht for art supplies. We returned to the studio at approximately 8 pm. We had dinner and then I took an hour-long nap because I was so drained that I couldn’t even function at that point. I genuinely don’t believe this nap affected the outcome of the competition, but I can see that it looks like I wasn’t trying very hard.
The title, “The End” is a double entendre that signifies the illusion of an end to the water – the horizon – and the end of my journey on this show. The image was anamorphic, meaning the horizon was only in correct perspective when viewed from one specific point. This took a great deal of calculation – the pole in front lined up PERFECTLY from this one point, and the rock and the ring felt almost like a sunset. Everything aligned poetically.
Jaclyn Santos, The End, 2009
Ultimately, I like my approach to this challenge more than most of the other contestants’. I found the single most beautiful object I could find in that particular space, and embedded it with new meaning by re-contextualizing it. It actually feels like a very feminine, delicate piece and has a beautiful sense of balance. I like that the rock and image were unique and could only have come from the park we were at.
The rock represented me in this competition. The stone was not supposed to represent freedom; the water represented freedom. The piece was about confinement verses freedom. I found a beautiful rock that was stuck amidst the others on the shore and I wanted to metaphorically release it. In the gallery it literally felt like it was moving in the water.
I certainly learned a lot from the experience. One thing a commenter pointed out was that it seems I actually “default” to using similar themes like water and reflections. This was something I realized too after the competition was over. I’ve been accused online of defaulting to nudity when I used it consciously and effectively; but when I didn’t know what to do I seemed to turn to these themes, almost subconsciously. This is something I have been exploring lately.
22 Comments
I have to much time invested in this show to give up before I see the finally. But I have become increasingly frustrated each week. I'm in "the art world" and I can't figure out the judging criteria for this show. It seems like it changes from person to person from piece to piece. Some people seem to advance based on their past work, some seem to advance because of their work for the specific challenge. Was each piece judged on concept or aesthetic? It would have been much better to let a lot of collectors come to the "shows" and judge the work without knowing which artist created it. The show had a chance to do something great, instead it reinforced a lot of negative/false stereotypes about the art world. It has made the world of art and art collecting seem less accessible, not more. I wish you the best, and believe strongly that you have a great future ahead of you. I look forward to an opportunity that allows me to see your work in person one day. Sorry to see you go before the end.
Jaclyn, This last piece was not unsuccessful at all. The fact that you felt miserable colors everything... even your usual ability to think on your feet and bring meaning to your work while explaining it seemed impaired as a consequence of being dreadfully sick and tired. "Sick and tired" in more than one way, evidently. The response I had when seeing what I did of your piece on TV was that the rock really did seem to represent you... removed from its context and perhaps a bit shackled to that pipe and put on display. The piece was described as cold, I believe... I can see how it was quite how you were feeling about the whole endeavor at that point in time. Thank you for your illuminating blog here... You are indeed a highly successful artist with a sharp intellect and a great deal of heart and soul. I'm certain that you will continue to do great things and that this experience will continue to open doors you otherwise may not have had available to you. That is my wish for you.
I was actually shocked (based on merit) that you were voted off... but I have to say the writers/producers (whatever) must think that their audience is completely blind. How they portray everything happening... I mean, its just so OBVIOUS that there is extreme editing going on to make the story twist the way they want it too. I am sorry you were voted off, you are really talented, but it got your name out there and that's AWESOME. What's the old saying, "Even bad press is good press" ? Anyways, good luck in whatever you are doing now, the path you are on now is the one you were meant to be on.
I was really shocked and dis-pleased to see you leave the show. Your work has been phenomenal throughout each challenge. Thank you for your blog posts; they are very frank and insightful. Your leaving the show only proves my theory all along, they ultimately want the best TV show, not the best artist. I thought the competition part was inherently flawed. As an artist it is very difficult to create when someone gives you a topic, medium and time limit. Your paintings are exquisite. Keep doing great work!
Jaclyn, I have been reading your blog, and seeing your posts on Jerry Saltz's blog. Thank you for the clarification on the "rules bending" issue. It does sound inconsistent. I defend your work elsewhere, quite a bit, because I feel it is quite valid how you are working so much with the idea (as I interpret it) of women being "trapped". I often find your work very raw and painful, which I think is OK. Just to let you know, I applaud the project you have taken on, and hope to see more work from you beyond the very distorted scope of this show.
first and foremost It was wonderful meeting you at your show a few weeks back. It was very nice to interact with you and your art. About tonite's episode. First Miles and Abdi should def be in the finale (i've been a fan of Abdi's since day one) I think Nicole should have gone and to be honest it was 50/50 between you and Pereguine..howver her piece seemed a bit "high school" to me...at least your piece was intelligent and made me think..for that reason i think that you got screwed out of the finale..good luck in the future, you have made me a fan and please let us know when you show in NYC again!!
Jaclyn, I have really enjoyed seeing your responses to the show. I have been watching Work of Art since the first episode, but I am very unimpressed with quite a bit of it. Most of all I have been so disgusted by the sexism that is obvious to me in the editing and judging of this show. I am just a stranger on the internet but for what it's worth I'm sorry you've had to deal with that.
Jaclyn, I hate to see you go. You are definitely top 3 and I actually liked this piece. Is it me or is there a visible sense of relief that comes over you when you are told you were done? (it could just be editing) I got the sense that you were actually relieved to be done with it. I hope we see more of you. You were definitely one of the stand out artists on this show regardless of wether or not you won and maybe doors were opened for you by participating in this particular social experiment. Good luck. I don't like it when things are left up to other contestants to decide. I feel like this is a very cheap trick by producers to create tention and drama. It's used on other reality shows I watch (mostly cooking shows) and I dislike it every time. I feel like yeah no boundaries you need this particular piece? go for it. Meybe that's a guy thing...balls to the wall and what not. When someone competes they should want to be the best not just the best with an asterisk and if they arbitrarily limit their opponent then there will always be that asterisk. anyway. Cheers. To a future without asterisks.
Jaclyn, your gift will sustain you through many more struggles to come. You are a talented artist. The piece you created had vision and depth. The fact that you found a way to overcome a very untimely illness exasterbated by inclement weather is testimony to your strength of character. The same is not true of the show "Work of Art" and it's producers. On too many occations certain contestants shoddy work have been given a pass by the judges and/or totally misjudged, IMO. That said, I don't feel compelled to watch the conclusion of the show, as it appears they'd early on decided who'd be the "winner" no matter how many incongruous, meaningless works they devised. In my mind, "inventions" are not Art. -- True art is born of soul and spirit, of love and passion, a sense of beauty, an innate esthetic. In whatever direction your talent carries you, Jaclyn, you'll make a name for yourself, no worries ! Your skill will make a way forward for you. Cheers ! ! !
Jaclyn, I was sad to see you go last night, but completely agree that you were repeatedly receiving the short end of the stick. Hell, I'm the lone one defending you in my household! I'm sorry you left WoA - but I'm happy this show exposed me to your work. You were my favorite from the beginning (how could I not love someone truly exploring the feminine and what that means to our society?) and I can't wait to see what you create in the future. You are definitely a modern artist who is in my radar now. Best of luck to your future and congrats on your solo show @ DFN.
I feel like you were treated poorly. The judges/show seemed to make their choices - especially this last one - based more on what people said, and their perceived personalities, than on the work. I like Peregrine's work sometimes, but I would find it hard to imagine anyone arguing that her last piece was more successful than yours. I think you were given the boot because you had less of an overtly "arty" persona.
Also, THANK YOU for calling yourself a feminist. It is good to hear a younger woman use that word, and not in the context of "well, I'm not a feminist, but..."
Jaclyn, I thought your work throughout the entire show had been stand-out. While others had good and bad weeks, you consistently produced amazing work. You definitely should not have been sent home, and it's sad to hear about the "drama" that the producers worked hard to create. I do have one question - did the artists (you included) receive any compensation for participating in the show? Or was the only "money" involved the final $100,000 prize?
I thought your last piece on the show was really beautiful. It was better than any of the other works. Perhaps you might want to focus more on images other than your body as the body images seem to be quite polarizing. One of the reasons many react so negatively to work showing your naked body is that it so fits the stereotypical american ideal of beauty i.e. slim with big breasts. This cultural image is so ingrained in our culture that it brings up so many powerful feelings that overwhelm the viewer. Women may respond with anger over having to be compared to this "standard" or envy or fear of never measuring up. Men of course are always going to react in a sexual way and get caught up in "rating" the image compared to our cultural ideal. These reactions in most cases override any other themes you might have wanted to address in your work. It shouldn't be that way but that is the way most people respond to contemporary images of an attractive female body. Anyway, good luck with your future endeavors and hope to see great things from you in the future.
I was really surprised that Peregrine's piece was picked over yours. I thought out of you, Nicole, and Peregrine, yours was the best. I was really hoping that you, Miles, and Abdi would be the three finalists! And the fact that everyone worked on their projects during downtime makes Peregrine's and Nicole's outrage extremely hypocritical and ridiculous. After reading this, I'm really infuriated at how they treated you. I'm also curious as to why China nearly cried during Mark's leave, but not for the last episode before the finale. Personally, I thought your piece and Abdi's were the best. Also echoing everyone else...you're very talented and I wish you and your career good luck!
So much to read through. So much to misconstrue. Though perhaps you don't call yourself a feminist (your post, which happens to be right after mine on Jerry Saltz's blog, explains this). Perhaps I have misread some of what you have said. However, as someone who considers *myself* a feminist in a personally-defined "third wave" sense, I find your work very strong and resonant. Maybe all these things are semantics. One thing is for sure: it a powerful thing to do to become both subject and object, and to work with the very ire this raises.
Thank you Katie. Yes, I certainly identify with third-wave feminism myself.. I suppose I was just pointing out that my goal was never necessarily to "turn back the male gaze." I like art that addresses contradictions most women deal with; Check out the work of Liz Cohen if you are not already familiar... though I have some criticisms of it, her bodywork series honestly explores these contradictory desires, and she is subject and object. Thanks so much!
Jaclyn-- After watching Work of Art, I decided to look up your website to clarify a few things. After reading through your blog, I am truly HORRIFIED over how you were portrayed on the show. I know that reality tv often needs to pick and choose what to show on-screen to attract viewers and "keep it interesting" (although, let's be honest, an art competition would have been much more interesting if it had focused on the ART-- the fake drama really kind of trashed it up and the time given was ridiculous because when you bring in so many different types of artists who work with different mediums it is unfair to expect all of them to be able to work at the same pace.. UGH I COULD GO ON FOREVER) but how you were portrayed was ridiculous. As an artist, it was difficult to watch the "TV-Jaclyn" because it really portrayed you as someone who put no thought or emotion behind your work and simply wanted attention by doing sexual pieces. I would watch this show with my sister, and am sorry to say that we really didn't like you. My opinion has, of course, changed upon doing some reading and I truly have respect for you as an artist and a person now that I have the full story. I am tempted to go and re-watch the old episodes to get a better look at your work now that I really know the artist behind it all. I wish nothing but the best for you and will continue checking in on your site for updates on your work. I will also try to "spread the word"... :)
"Miles’ giant machine exceeded allotted dimensions in the gallery." It seems stangely fitting, in an episode labeled "inspired by Nature", that Miles should be inspired by fungus that grows off Dead Tree Limbs. -- Looking past the mustard gas idea to the medival contraption he built and the use of bleach to "create" a STAIN, i'd say Miles' inspiration from nature bends toward the morbid. Adding the straw doormats to his presentation would seem to imply an invitation into an Inquisitors' Chamber, not the blissful serenity of a nature preserve. Nicole and Jaclyn's pieces seemed so much nearer the theme of the challenge. Pass me the hemlock, will you... .
Jaclyn-- I am so invigorated by your art. It refreshes my feminism, it reignites my appreciation for well executed realist paintings, it inspires me to create. While I'm sorry,that your time on Work of Art was trying as you describe, thank you very much for sticking it out. Allowing me to see you create such meaningful pieces every week was a joy. Of course, I liked your work in certain challenges more than other, you were consistently my favorite artist. Please continue to market yourself to the public. I have no doubt that you will be an incredible success. You go girl!
Thank you Leah! It means so much that I inspired you somehow! Thank you for reaching out to me!
I think you should have been in the finale. I liked how you were not afraid to expand what truly, and sometimes instictively, inspired you. Miles is a good craftsman, or so-so. But he is a bit pretentious. I don't believe he is an art God. I, unfortunately, believe he is an above average conceptualist, with very little traditional background to validate his wild and abstract functions. You, however, go with your gut, which is better than most. And in this show, no offense, I'm in Art school myself, there was not alot of "real" talent. I think you were an orignial artist. Not faking it. You should have accompanied Abdi and someone else besides Miles. Peregrin was probably a pretty decent choice.