Do you mind if I have a quick rant? Just a little one? OK, here we go.
There is a dearth of craft programmes in the UK, we generally only get an annoying estate agent who thinks she's a craft maven extraordinaire, so I was pretty excited to hear about Paul Martin's Handmade Revolution, a 2-week programme on the BBC. I have no idea who Paul Martin is or why he would want to revolt, but it seemed right up my alley so, with it being on during the day, I Sky plussed it and finished watching it last night.
The premise behind the programme was excellent. They got various amateur craftspeople in to show their work and talk about it, a winner was then selected from the 5 each day (10 programmes in all) to have their work on sale at the shop at the V&A. The variety and talent was astounding, though there were a few bizarre entrants (the guerilla knitter who submitted a large, ugly rectangle of fabric didn't really fit amongst the silversmiths, wood carvers and glass blowers!).
The problem? The judges. Mr Curator for the V&A was OK, it was the other too. An "entrepreneur" turned fabric designer and a snotty milliner. They were so rude about some of the pieces, and the pieces were excellent. One lady was told her crocheted bag (with the most stunning freeform crocheted fruit on it) was old-fashioned and no-one would want it, this was after the male presenter told her he'd been dreading seeing crochet work as he doesn't like it. Hmmm, biased at all?
One lady did the most amazing glass fusing but was told it was horrible! Seriously, this is from two people who'd shown no crafting talent themselves! A rival milliner was told by the milliner presenter her hat was "cheap looking" and the guy who made the most incredible sculpture of a robot from polymer clay was explained as using a "kiddie's play material". So tell that to the incredible polymer clay artists out there then... children indeed!
I think what got my back up was that they were outwardly encouraging everyone to have a go at crafts (the presenter tried a different craft each day) and get involved in the "handmade revolution" but were then criticising, quite personally, those that have already got involved. No, it wasn't constructive criticism, it was plain rude!
Did any one else see this programme? What did you think?
11 comments:
I am so glad that I am not the only one that found the judges confusing and at times rude. It actually made me glad that I hadnt filled the application in. I havent watched all of the programmes and I want to see peoples creative talent
Haven't seen it, wasn't even aware that it was on. Sounds like they are all trying to be the craft equivalent of Simon Cowell!
No I've not seen it...I will have to investigate!
Fleur xx
I don't think it's been on here in Aus but I think we can do without the judges.
well, that sounds like a terrible show. :(
Sounds like a show to avoid! I don't like this reality show theme of trying to out-rude and out-nasty the other judges or contestants. I don't watch shows like that. There's already enough meanness and bullying in the world!
No thank goodness I didn't see it by the sound of it, it sounds vile!
Really- a craft programme worse than Kirstie?! I find it hard to believe but I've not seen it, I wonder if it will be on the iplayer thingy
We don't have this show here but we have one called Craft Wars that I only saw one episode of. It's pretty intense b/c they basically tell you what they want you to do and you pick your supplies then there's a time limit on creating it. I would crack under the pressure!
I've only seen three of them, but I too was embarrassed at the rudeness of the judges. I loved the crocheted bag and cringed at how rude the man was and was proud of the lady's response to him. I only watched those as I can't handle the disrespect of it.
I'm part of a facebook group 'Crafters in Cardiff' and one of our members was on there, he was the sculptor. I had a stall next to his at a craft fair in Penarth once and boy was I over shadowed by his work, it's stunning!
I haven't watched it, but now I'm hoping that he wasn't too badly beaten down by it because his work is stunning, a true craft!
p.s. there's something about Kirstie's way of talking which makes me want to throw my cat at the telly. I don't even have a cat!
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