THE OPENING!

2010-08-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

My show at the Brooklyn Museum of Art opened this past Saturday. I wanted to hang out at the museum all day; I figured, when would be the next time I had a show at a major museum. I was not expecting too many people, since it was a normal day for the museum; normal admission rates applying, but it was a straight up party! The amount of people was astounding! There were so many people that the guards had to reach into the curatorial closet and pull out some stanchions to control guest traffic. Other cast members still in NY came out, looking fly, China Chow was there for hours, almost all my good friends from Penn, and even my old studio mate from high school, Susie Little, who lives in Brooklyn, was there! I hadn't seen her in 5 years. My painting and sculpture teachers from HS were there and my printmaking teacher from college surprised the heck out of me. It was as if every sphere of my life was beautifully converging. It was simultaneously the end and beginning of testaments of my life (not that there will only be two), and I am insanely optimistic for what this upcoming year has in store (dont ask me what that is). While I am so happy about the last year and all that working with WOA entailed, I am even more excited for what I am going to do next. I have what I learned in the competition to thank for that. I wish all the critics of the show could see all the excitement and love that was jammed into the 5th floor of the Brooklyn museum. Actually all that positivity might cause them to hate even more. Some people just don't want to be happy, and while they supposedly love forests, strangely they hate trees. Good thing I make art for myself and all the people that shared that most beautiful day in my life.

Leap Year

2010-07-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

A year ago this past Saturday was the anniversary of the New York auditions for Work of Art. What a difference a year makes. What a crazy and awesome day that was. The whole week leading up to that day I was in the print shop at Penn running prints to show at the audition. I had no Idea what to expect. I kept noticing that a good friend of mine, Susan, was also in the print shop everyday. For the first few days the two of us worked, the only two people in the shop in mid july, without saying a word to each other. Finally, Susan said, "Abdi.... I'm trying out for a reality show." We busted laughing!

I got on the Megabus to New York at 6:30, sweating, running to catch the bus. In classic abdi fashion I was still printing out 8x10s for my portfolio at 6am. Settling in on the bus I saw a black kid get on who was stylishly dressed with a super cool hair cut. I was sure he was going to the audition. DANG! He was going to be the black guy on the show! I was intimidated already. I thought I was smart getting to New York at 8:30 for the 10 am auditions. Figured I would get there early and stake out some prime real estate in the line. I arrived at the White Collumns gallery at 9am the line was already three block long! And not three short number street New York blocks, but three LONG avenue sized blocks! Every person I walked past already waiting in line caused my heart to sink further an further into my chest. I had worn a neon green Lacoste shirt, a brite red tie, and some black and orange sneakers, but there was NO WAY that any one was going to notice me in this throng of beautiful eccentric people! I had already payed to come to the city so I figured I would stay in line just for a good story or two. It turned out to be one of the best days of my life (understatement!). Me and the people in line near me had a ball laughing at crazy artists, and taking turns getting water. I found out later that my fellow competitor Jaclyn Santos was only a few people behind me in line. Good thing I was so far back cause in my rushing I had forgotten to fill out my application, which was actually quite rigorous for a reality tv show. Good thing I now had 7 hours to fill it out!

After being in line for only a few minutes I was approached by a journalist asking us auditioners our thoughts on the art world and the potential show. My responses to her questions are now the source of much embarrassment and are a blaring reminder of how much of a little pipsqueak punk I was a year ago!

As follows is my complete interview with Sarah Douglas from Art Info:

You're so young! Have you studied art?
I was a fine arts major at the University of Pennsylvania. I went to an art magnet high school and middle school.

Wouldn't you be nervous to be on TV?
Not at all. It would only make me nervous if I did something stupid. Or lost in the first round.

Which artists are overrated?
Definitely Luc Tuymans. ... Also John Currin, Elizabeth Peyton, and Kehinde Wiley. I like them and I'm sure they're great people, but they are not as awesome as people think they are.

Who would be the ideal judges, or host, for this show?
John Waters would be amazing. He's too cool to be a host, but maybe he could be a judge — that would be pretty sweet. Maybe Jeff Koons? He's pretty crazy as well. But he's pretty overrated too.

My answer to everyone of these questions has dramatically altered in the last year. Allow me the privilege of submitting my revision. First, none of my previous education qualifies me in the least to be an artist. Education is essential to being the best artist one can be, provided that person is an artist! I am an artist, but not because of any stamp on my resume.

Two: after going through the gaunlet of hurdles that commenced after the initial round of auditions in New York no artist that made it to the final 14 and on the show should feel embarrassed in the least at any time they exited the show whether first or second to last.

Three: If I learned one thing this past year it is that art is hard, very hard, and thusly I am convinced that while I might not enjoy the work of every artist, there are very few if any artists that have been successful in the mainstream art world that are overrated. In fact all artists are underated! We all think something is easy until we strap up and do. We all think we can lace up some kicks and run with Michael Jordan, or take a hit from Mike Tyson. We are all delusional. For the longest time I had hidden behind a natural talent, but really did not develope my talents as an actual artist. I am convinced that being an artist is one of the most difficult and downright excruciating professions in the world. I like most of the non artists in world choose to ignore and avoid this truth. My time on Work of Art was a rude awakening of how difficult and slippery the word art is. I will forever be grateful for what started a year ago this past Saturday.

Abdi Farah

THE OPENING!

Leap Year