Vanity Fair gives a preview of the new Bravo reality show competition from the creators of Project Runway and Top Chef. It’s called Work of Art and premiers next week:
The producers used their traditional casting formula to appeal to a broader audience. Although they said that the cast dynamics are organic, it’s difficult not to see the contestants as archetypes. In the first episode, there’s the villain (snippy Nao), the misunderstood ingenues (saccharine Jamie Lynn and sex pot Jaclyn), the misfits (veteran Judith and rookie Erik), and the likable front-runners (quirky Miles and earnest Abdi). Without much effort, one can connect the dots from these characters to their counterparts on past Bravo shows. The conventions extend to the stacked judges’ panel as well.
In a series of sculptural cocktail dresses, host China Chow does her best Heidi Klum while delivering the show’s signature, damning proclamation: “Your work of art didn’t work for us.” Phillips de Pury chairman and auctioneer Simone de Pury is the compassionate mentor who’s quick with a catchphrase. (“Be amazing!” “Wall power!”) Pulitzer Prize–nominated art critic Jerry Saltz is the tough but fair judge, and gallery owner Bill Powers is the resident cool guy. Collector Jeanne Greenberg-Rohatyn garnishes the mix with sophisticated criticism.
Can Work of Art Work for Art? (Vanity Fair)
