So, some of you may have heard of this show on BRAVO called “Gallery Girls“? At first I thought it was going to be a clone of “A Work Of Art” which has its share of trumped up drama but ultimately gives real artists real exposure and critiques. Then, after seeing the promo videos and getting messages from various relatives suggesting it would be up my alley, I got the feeling it may be more along the lines of “The Devil Wears Prada” (catharsis for Personal Assistants everywhere). As it turns out, it’s more “GIRLS” than anything else (and appropriately titled) as immaturity dominates the editor’s cuts. It seams as though this show has more of the Jersey Shore in it than of a cast aspiring to gallerist stature.
What is most disturbing about this prime time event is that it is actually very difficult to get jobs in the arts. It is competitive, and to get a chance to succeed you really do need someone to give you a break – even for those with the most impeccable resume! Many professionals actually enter this field of work after having a career in business or higher degrees in art history, for example. The show acknowledges this challenge, but so far, rather than providing training and a program to refine the work of these women, it exploits their naiveté and watches while they struggle in the mire.
Particularly at this time right before the elections for the next US president when conversations regarding job creation and further training and education are hanging in the air, I find this show totally distasteful and untimely. Also, as a woman who is so thankful to have been given a good education and an opportunity to continue that education (in pursuit of not dissimilar career goals to some of the women in the show) I feel like banging my head against the wall when I behold the negative and downward-looking view in which they portray these women. I could name a dozen ladies who are on this career path who have more poise and wisdom – who are real WOMEN working hard in galleries whose lives and work deserve to be broadcast and applauded.
For a branch of our work force that is based on a history of expression, cultural preservation, philanthropy, and generally setting a tone for style – we as women need to demand better depictions of one another. We as Americans need to hold a more positive view of what that means for our identity or we will continue to be viewed on a global scale by these base versions of ourselves paraded around for vulgar amusement.
Here is a story of one who opted out of this media opportunity revealing the show for what it is – largely not about art. Let’s all opt-out of exploiting one another for cheap laughs, and congratulating ourselves that we are no longer 21, and that we feel more “together” than the depictions of these women. Go watch a documentary like “Who Does She Think She Is?” or “Miss Representation“. Remind yourself that there is not some strange underbelly of the United States where stupid people are bread for our amusement – it is through biased editing, over-indulgence of acting-out, or the lack of education that women end up looking this ridiculous, and you don’t have to take it!
Do not underestimate the power of syndication.
