# Artstar > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Artstar > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Artstar.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artstar > Source revision: 1311020131 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{More citations needed|date=November 2017}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox television | image = | caption = | runtime = 46 minutes | creator = [Christopher Sperandio](/source/Christopher_Sperandio) & [James Fuentes](/source/James_Fuentes) | starring = Jeffrey Deitch | country = [United States](/source/United_States) | network = [Gallery HD](/source/Gallery_HD) | first_aired = {{start date|2006|6|1}} | last_aired = {{end date|2006|7|19}} | num_episodes = }} '''''Artstar''''' is an unscripted reality television series set in the [New York City](/source/New_York_City) art world, considered to be the first in the visual arts. Selected from an open call of over 400 applicants, eight artists participate in a group exhibition at [Deitch Projects](/source/Deitch_Projects) with the opportunity for a solo exhibition as well.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/arts/design/28kenn.html|title='Artstar' on Gallery HD: The Art World Tries Realism (the TV Kind)|last=Kennedy|first=Randy|date=2006-05-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-11-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.artforum.com/diary/id=8528|title=Michael Wang at the "Artstar" open call|last=Wang|first=Michael|date=2005-03-04|work=Artforum.com|access-date=2017-11-20|language=en-US}} The program documents the selected artists as they interact with leading critics, curators, collectors, and artists in New York, while making new works as part of the collaborative exhibition.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/arts/television/reality-on-tv-reaches-art-world.html|title=Reality (on TV) Reaches Art World|last=Randy Kennedy|date=2005-03-02|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-11-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} ==Featured guest critics and artists== Critics/curators featured on the program include Barbara Pollack, Debra Singer, David Rimanelli, Carlo McCormick, RoseLee Goldberg, Cary Leitzes, [Alan Vega](/source/Alan_Vega), Yvonne Force, James Fuentes and Mark Fletcher. Established artists interacting with the selected emerging artists include [Jeff Koons](/source/Jeff_Koons), [Kehinde Wiley](/source/Kehinde_Wiley), [Jon Kessler](/source/Jon_Kessler), [Lee Quiñones](/source/Lee_Qui%C3%B1ones) and Steve Powers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.artforum.com/diary/id=10989|title=Reality Bites, Michael Wang on the first episode of Artstar|last=Wang|first=Michael|date=2006-05-17|work=artforum.com|access-date=2017-11-25|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.papermag.com/youre-either-in-or-youre-out-1425227363.html|title=You're Either In or You're Out|date=2006-06-12|work=Paper Magazine|access-date=2017-11-25|language=en}} ==Exhibition== In the second episode of the series, the Artstars were asked to participate in The Art Parade, a Deitch Projects event where artists, performers and designers were invited to create floats, placards, spectacles and street performances.{{Cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2006/06/bored_naked_desperate.html|title=Bored, Naked, Desperate|last=Petrovich|first=Dushko|date=2006-06-16|work=Slate|access-date=2017-11-25|language=en-US|issn=1091-2339}} The Artstars were less than enthusiastic about the prospect (Abigail Deville is quoted in ''The New York Times'' on May 28, 2006 as saying, "I mean, come on, a parade?"). Christian Dietkus, one of the other artists, confronted [Jeffrey Deitch](/source/Jeffrey_Deitch) about whether or not an actual Artstar exhibition would also be part of the television program, as originally promised. Deitch was vague about specifics at the time but promised that there would be a gallery show at some point. On February 9, 2006, Deitch Projects opened the Artstar exhibition to the public, showcasing the culminating product of the Artstars' individual efforts during the program. Anney Fresh created a giant polar bear with its head stuck in a crate. Visitors could comb the bear's hair and look into the crate to see the bear's dreams. Virgil Wong exhibited a [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014044635/http://artstar.tv/ twenty foot tall mural] depicting a walking figure composed of both paint and digital 3-D video projections. Visitors to the gallery could inject medical nanotechnology into the body using a video game controller, and a pool of moving MRI brain images reflected in a Zen-like garden. ==Biographies of the Artstars== [Virgil Wong](/source/Virgil_Wong) is an NEA grant recipient and a multimedia artist who creates installations, films, and paintings that visualize future medical technologies. Virgil received his fine arts degree in 2005 in illustration from the [Rhode Island School of Design](/source/Rhode_Island_School_of_Design) (RISD).{{Cite web|title=RISD XYZ Fall/Winter 2014/15|url=https://issuu.com/risd/docs/risdxyz_fall-winter_2014-15|last=|first=|date=24 November 2014|website=Issuu|publisher=Rhode Island School of Design|pages=2–3|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204112336/http://issuu.com:80/risd/docs/risdxyz_fall-winter_2014-15 |archive-date=2014-12-04 |access-date=2020-05-08}} Virgil earned a master's degree from [Danube University](/source/Danube_University_Krems) in Austria and continued studies towards a doctorate degree from [Teachers College. Columbia University](/source/Teachers_College%2C_Columbia_University).{{Cite web|title=Arts & Extras: Blacksburg native seeks to understand pain, healing through art|url=https://www.roanoke.com/arts_and_entertainment/columns_and_blogs/columns/arts_and_extras/arts-extras-blacksburg-native-seeks-to-understand-pain-healing-through-art/article_f5f54dc8-499f-52fa-9131-2975c9609ead.html|last=Allen|first=Mike|date=2014-09-02|website=Roanoke Times|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-08}} He started a company, ''Medical Avatar'', creating medical visualizing tools for the healthcare industry.{{Cite web|title=Meet Full Spectrum speakers Onyx Ashanti and Virgil Wong|url=https://blog.ted.com/meet-full-spectrum-speakers-onyx-ashanti-and-virgil-wong/|date=2011-05-30|website=TED Blog|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}{{Citation|title=Best of TED: Art + Visualization at the Heart of Human-Centric Healthcare Medical Avatar Virgil Wong| date=26 January 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Uab4Dq0j0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/J7Uab4Dq0j0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}{{cbignore}} [Bec Stupak](/source/Bec_Stupak) is an artist living and working in New York City, and is also the founding member of ''Honeygun Labs'', an experimental video project that after a few years blossomed into a collaborative effort that at any given time had several people creating and experimenting with different styles and techniques. [Anney Fresh](/source/Anney_Fresh) (Anney McKilligan) is an "Action Stylist" who has created enormous inflatables and other public art works with an artists collective called the Madagascar Institute. She is also a professional puppeteer and builder who has worked on Sesame Street, Johnny and The Sprites, ''Blue's Clues'', ''Chappelle's Show'', ''The Book of Pooh'', and ''Bear in the Big Blue House''. In 2007, Anney received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design/Styling, after three previous nominations for the same award. A regular at the [Loser's Lounge](/source/Loser's_Lounge), Anney can be seen singing on stage at Joe's Pub. [Zackary Drucker](/source/Zackary_Drucker) is a fine art photographer. A recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts, Zackary is now studying at the California Institute of the Arts (started the Fall of 2005), where she is pursuing an MFA degree in Photography and Media. Past group exhibitions include One Man Show, an exhibition curated by Isabelle Woodley in Cooper Union's Great Hall Gallery, and Mentors, at the Visual Arts Gallery. [Gigi Chen](/source/Gigi_Chen) was born in China and raised in New York, where she attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia high school, and studied fine arts techniques. From there, she went on to the [School of Visual Arts](/source/School_of_Visual_Arts), majoring in Traditional Animation. Gigi sold her first piece during the Artstar show. [Sy Colen](/source/Sy_Colen) is a retired social worker from Brownsville, New York, who creates wood and clay sculptures. Sy is the father of [Dan Colen](/source/Dan_Colen), a painter and sculptor whose work was included in the 2006 Whitney Biennial.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/aims-win-artstar-playing-gallery-article-1.638382|title=HE AIMS TO WIN 'ARTSTAR' BY PLAYING TO THE GALLERY|work=NY Daily News|access-date=2017-11-25|language=en}} [Christian Dietkus](/source/Christian_Dietkus) graduated from [Cooper Union](/source/Cooper_Union) in 2005, and received his M.F.A. in 2013 from Columbia University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.92y.org/instructor/christian-dietkus-lord.aspx|title=Christian Dietkus Lord|website=92y.org}} [Abigail DeVille](/source/Abigail_DeVille) graduated with a B.F.A. from [Fashion Institute of Technology](/source/Fashion_Institute_of_Technology) (FIT) in 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.recessart.org/invisible-men-abigail-deville/|title=Abigail DeVille: Invisible Men|date=2012|website=www.recessart.org}} Followed by receiving a 2011 M.F.A. graduate degree in painting at [Yale School of Art](/source/Yale_School_of_Art) at [Yale University](/source/Yale_University). Abigail is also the first Artstar artist to sell her work on the television show. ==Screenings and broadcasts== The pilot episode of Artstar was privately screened during the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. The first public screening was held at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City on May 12, 2006 at 8pm. Artstar premiered on Gallery HD on June 1, 2006 at 9pm. * ''Episode 1'' (June 1, 2006) - 400 artists appear on the coldest day of the year for an open call at Deitch Projects to compete for 8 spots on the program. * ''Episode 2'' (June 8, 2006) - The Artstars move into a huge studio space in Tribeca and must collaborate on a project for The Art Parade. * ''Episode 3'' (June 15, 2006) - The Artstars host a party at the [Soho Grand Hotel](/source/Soho_Grand_Hotel) rooftop penthouse and produce installations and performances. * ''Episode 4'' (June 22, 2006) - The Artstars are sent to Coney Island to paint signs with Artist Steve Powers. * ''Episode 5'' (June 29, 2006) - The Artstars are critiqued by art consultants and collectors Yvonne Force and Mark Fletcher—and decide on a project for The Art Parade. * ''Episode 6'' (July 5, 2006) - The Artstars work with graffiti artist Lee Quiñones and also visit the studios of artists [Kehinde Wiley](/source/Kehinde_Wiley), Marc Kessler, and [Jeff Koons](/source/Jeff_Koons). * ''Episode 7'' (July 12, 2006) - The Artstars collaborate on their project for The Art Parade and hold their open studio exhibition. * ''Episode 8'' (July 19, 2006) - The Art Parade launches into the streets of SoHo. The Artstar group exhibition opens at Deitch Projects. ==Criticism== Early episodes of Artstar have been criticized for being extended infomercials for Deitch Projects. Like [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) on [The Apprentice](/source/The_Apprentice_(American_TV_series)), art dealer [Jeffrey Deitch](/source/Jeffrey_Deitch) is described in glowingly positive terms, by other dealers and artists in this case, and there are constant references to the "exciting" work that happens in his gallery. Also, Deitch was quoted as saying, {{Blockquote|text="In the 1970s … no self-respecting artist would have stood in line to try to get on a television show," and critics have claimed that self-respecting artists were still declining Deitch's invitation today.|sign=|source=}} While some observers have appreciated the show's avoidance of reality television cliches like eliminating contestants each week and salacious personal dramas, others contend that Artstar should have been billed instead (and produced) as an art documentary. Some have also noted that many contestants already had previous ties to Deitch Projects, making the show more scripted than it had been advertised. (For example, Sy Colen is the father of a successful artist represented by the gallery, and Bec Stupak appeared multiple times in Deitch's 2005 book ''Live Through This'') == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{cite web|url=http://artstar.tv/ |title=Archive of "Official Artstar Web Site" |accessdate=2010-01-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014044635/http://artstar.tv/ |archivedate=2007-10-14 }} * [http://www.deitch.com/ Deitch Projects - Home Page] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060617132912/http://deitch.com/projects/sub.php?projId=161 Deitch Projects - Artstar Open Call] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060414015312/http://deitch.com/projects/sub.php?projId=171 Deitch Projects - The Art Parade 2005] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060904104924/http://www.deitch.com/projects/sub.php?projId=184 Deitch Projects - Artstar Exhibition] * [https://www.virgilwong.com/ VirgilWong.com] * [http://www.honeygunlabs.com HoneyGunLabs.com] * [http://www.anneyfresh.com AnneyFresh.com] * [http://www.zackarydrucker.com/ ZackaryDrucker.com] * [http://www.gigichen.com/ GigiChen.com] ===News articles=== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070119131952/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl%3A%2F%2FTONYWebArticles1%2F554%2Fout_there%2Fart_world_idol.xml "Art world Idol", ''TimeOut New York'', May 11, 2006] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060602201819/http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/tv/mmx-0606010019jun01%2C0%2C1515919.story?coll=mmx-television_heds "Stroke of genius? Artists to mix it up on reality TV", ''Chicago Tribune''] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030234448/http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=15967 "Reality Show Artstar to begin on the Dish Network", ''Art Daily''] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060624061836/http://villagevoice.com/screens/0619%2Ctv2%2C73153%2C28.html "Future, Unscripted Fall pilots: Real deal, or no deal?", ''Village Voice'', May 9, 2006] Category:2000s American reality television series Category:Television shows set in New York City Category:2006 American television series debuts Category:2006 American television series endings --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Artstar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artstar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artstar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.