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dear ms parker,
I hope you have a moment from your busy schedule as actress, arbiter of taste, purveyor of style, mother, wife and putzfrau to read my plea.
STOP THE MADNESS!!
Ms. Parker I am sure as a proud New Yorker you are thoroughly aware of this city's exuberant cultural life. In particular, New York City has, for over half a century, been a center of contemporary art. Although I am not familiar with your personal collection and your particular tastes and preferences, I must tell you that your time, money and efforts would be better spent in the simple supportive act of purchasing artworks you like and providing a lively for a genuine “next great artist".
if the title of your show weren't repulsive enough, the idea of imposing a reality show competitiveness to a field that is so ruthlessly competitive and cut-throat has totally backfired.
Whereas chefs, fashion designers and hair stylists MUST continue to work and produce to survive, such a small percentage of visual artists make their livelihood through their work that the artist has the ability to not work.
Isn't it better to wait two weeks, two months, two years even in order to produce a work that is genuine in its inception and completion? I admit having a deadline has been able to help complete tasks and work I'm doing in a timely manner, but many the deadline has come and gone before because it was "just not right".
issues of performing under time restraints aside, the idea of throwing a group of artists into a studio together and giving them specific projects or challenges is merely a high-end version of grad school. all reality shows are simulacrums of high school. you have broken this cardinal rule, intently I'm sure. not everyone has gone to grad school, let alone experienced the petty insincerity of the candidates for an MFA.
and what will be come of this new "great artist"? well from eight seasons of Project Runway has anyone become the next Mark Jacobs? Where does the winner of Top Chef season 5 work now?
I wish the finalists all the best in their final show. they are all interesting talent artists. And after you have publicly embarrassed, shamed and hurt two of the three of them, I kneel hope and pray we will not be made to see you drag the fine arts into the ring for mud wrestling.
thank you
Reuben Sandwich
Minnie Van Driver
Jonathan Leiter
1) The People - Montrealites (and Canadians in general) are more laid back and laissez-faire about life and work. Although totally cosmopolitan and vibrant, one doesn't get the "what the hell do you want from me" attitude that so many New Yorkers exude from their very pores. Mind you, New Yorkers, deep down want to be friendly and helpful, but they want to be that way SO bad that they end up just being pushy and arrogant about even that!
2) Marijuana - Montreal's air still wafts with the odor of joints and spliffs. It's a delightful odor, one that was highly present in New York until that "quality of life" Nazi Giuliani held sway over New York and made every pothead go underground. In Montreal, parks and street fairs carry the lovely smell of cannabis, and if cops are near by they simply do not care about it because it is a victimless crime.
3) Seediness - After Giuliani, New York simply lost its edge in this category. And its not just the Disney-ification of 42 Street. In Montreal, there are still seedy sides of town where strip clubs, bars and pedestrian malls converge in a bumptious way that has a vitality New York has lacked lately. Mind you, I was never a fan of being propositioned by hooker on Eighth Avenue, but I do miss feeling that one could catch someones eye on the subway or bus terminal, find yourself 15 minutes later doing the nasty, then getting back to your life with a wry smile and a sticky sense of satisfaction. I think it was best summed up by a tee-shirt I saw someone wearing one day that simply said "Possibly......".
4) $5 Tuesday - Any town that can have all its movie theaters offer $5 admission to the movies on a particular day of the week is alright with me!!
5) Vegepate - a staple of the vegetarian diet, there is nothing comparable down here that is available in almost every supermarket. Delish!!
6) Liberte Dulce de Leche Mediterranean style yogurt - I love this yogurt. 8 % milk fat and even though I thought the lemon and coconut were real finds here in the states (when you can find it) this stuff is heaven in a plastic container. Have some and you will be able to die happy!
7) Poutine - The last of the true Quebec specialites. Feve au lard and head cheese are harder to find these days, but this dish of french fries, cheese curds and gravy is still the perfect dish for ending a long night of partying.
8) Bagels - Ever since H&H cornered the market in the New York bagel market & Thomas' think they know what a bagel is, the Montreal bagel is a step above our average meager fare. Thinner, with a larger hole, most Montreal bagels are baked in wood burning ovens which give them a lovely toasty brown color and deep, rich taste. Their consistency is a throw-back to New York's old bagels and a pleasure to indulge in while on a visit.
9) Apartments - Unless you've been living on the Upper West Side for the past 30 years, Montreal apartments are still spacious and remarkably cheap. I know of no one in Montreal who lives in a studio apartment, let alone paying $2,000 a month for the privilege!
10) Porches - While on the topic of apartments, it never ceases to amaze me that almost every living space in Montreal has some sort of outdoor space. It may be large, it may be small, it may be in the front, in may be in back, but almost no one goes without outdoor space. When the weather warms up on this island in the middle of a river, the people throw open their windows, put on their flip-flops, buy some beer, gather their friends and enjoy life passing by. People smile, people wave, people act like people, not privileged individual.
Reports for Montreal: Le festival de Jazz, Robert Polidori, Betty Goodwin & Spring Hurlbut at the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, & 10 reasons to like Montreal over New York!!
