quote:

Originally posted by mod_ben:
What did you think of Art Attack with Lee Sandstead?

its a great concept...i was wondering if any network would be brave enough, open-minded enough to make a go of the subject. as for the host.. im not sure. i guess, he could grow on me..but maybe in the end, he is just a little off? but the more i think about it, the more i wonder why every host on travel channel is a white man. well, sorry, there are a few white women. i am an asian american woman, and generally speaking, i think asian women do get roles on tv. they are much better represented, then, say asian men. given the target demographic for travel channel, educated, reasonably affluent, i am very surprised that there are no asians anywhere on the network. i have man asian girlfriends.. and we talked about this the other day as we discussed some of the new shows. usually it doesnt bother me... but this time, i just started wondering about it. is it just me??

quote:

Originally posted by mod_ben:
What did you think of Art Attack with Lee Sandstead?

I was watching pilot week and saw this program on art. I liked the show concept a lot. Having an on-air expert in art history sharing his passion for art is a good idea. The host might be a little silyl for my taste, but the subject matter is great. But I wonder if the show will have enough mass appeal?

A show likes this makes me wonder why there can't be a show on the subject of Architecture. It seems to me you could have an on-air expert guiding viewers to see new buildings all over the world. Samantha Brown touches on it in some of her travels, but I bet a show that spent a little more time looking at the buildings would be enjoyable to see.

I know that there is a show on Discovery called "Build It Bigger" but to me, that show is more about engineering and construction. What about a show where we could just see some amazing buildings, like the Bilbao Museum in Spain, or the Thermal Baths in Switzerland. I think it would be a great show. Of course, me being an architect, I might be too biased?

While I liked the concept I too felt that this program was a bit to "cheezy flashy". But then again I am not as much of an art fan in my programming tastes.

What about an architectual show that focuses on architecture and takes you in to why something was created in the first place?

I think it would be awesome if you had a host who knew what he was talking about with architecture guiding people (novices in particular), through the points of a building from an architect's viewpoint. Why a building was built in the particular period, what were the trends at that time? Getting into the head of the original builder.

You should create something like that pretty easily I would imagine. In fact I would bet you've already considered it?

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I think it would be awesome if you had a host who knew what he was talking about with architecture guiding people (novices in particular), through the points of a building from an architect's viewpoint. Why a building was built in the particular period, what were the trends at that time? Getting into the head of the original builder.

Hey AD

You are totally right. I think the host should critique the building- point out cool things, what works and what doesnt. I definitely think the host should be an architect or at least someone who knows a LOT about it! I think whenyou deal with this type of subject matter, you can't just get some actor/model to read cue cards. You need a real expert. That would be cool. I think that's why this art show has potential. It makes complete sense to have an art historian passionately explaining the subject. Its also why shows like Bizarre Food with Amdrew Zimmern work for example. From what i understand, he is a chef and food critic. And it definitely comes across that way. Travel Channel should definitely consider doing this show. I think it would be awesome!

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UMM...

this thread is about Art Attack...

believe me I know how threads can go on tangents...
but this too is a great concept..

I think "Build It Bigger" on Discovery should replace the host with a a guy like Lee- one who has earned respect in his/her field...but an architect/designer who is more of a teacher then well you know...like their current host.

Art Attack really gets this concept across..I hope they pick up this show...

I'll keep this short since many of the posts here are quite detailed. With all the nonsense on television I would say Lee gets a thumbs up just for doing a show on art. From everything I know about Lee (he was successful before this show, you know) he isn't always over-hyped. That is the producer's theory of how Lee should be, or the show should be, presented. Maybe they will tone it down a bit when the show is picked up, then again - should they?

I have an art degree and have lived in and out of NYC for the past 50 years and I have never been tempted by Egyptian art, must less the huge display at the NY Met - right in my backyard. I am making immediate plans to see it shortly after what I learned from Lee. I think if I had Lee as a grade school teacher I would have wanted to become an art scholar and not someone who write reviews on forums.

Remember, what we learn from art reveals who we are as a people. It tells us in most descriptive forms what we feel, at least those of us who are honest enough, gifted enough, and determined enough to express it.

You should see what Lee can do with a camera. This guy is the real deal!

The title "Art Attack" tells you that this is not going to be your typical, dry arts program. Lee Sandstead is an accomplished art historian, photographer, and professor who makes art fun while he informs. He is so unique in the art world and gets rave reviews on his lectures from audiences all over the U.S. My 2 kids (10 & 15) loved this program, and I enjoyed it as well. This is a great show and I can't wait to see more museums with Lee.

Puttering around the house I had the TV on when I was stopped in my tracks ... it was Lee Sandstead's voice booming through the clips of the Travel Channel's promo of pilot week ... Whoa, what is this, Art Attack? Egyptians? the greatest masterpieces in the Met that I must see?!?

I was intrigued and cleared my schedule to make sure I caught this show ... then I was hooked! Sandstead was riveting. I felt like a kid in for the biggest and best surprise of my life watching Sandstead (and feeling like I was right there) run through the Met's corridors.

In the end, there are two things that I feel are critical to why this show should be made a regular series. First, Sandstead is over the top and silly ... but you know what, he is passionate and exuberant and thrilled about life and how art is an integral part of man's existance. Those who might not be comfortable with this style, are probably those who prefer learning about things from afar, because in this show Sandstead brought the viewer up close and personal ... to the art and to his passion. That might be a lot to handle, and is different from most mainstream TV hosting styles, but this is art that for too long has been mystified in the ivory towers of academia and protected by the staunch columns of museums.

Sandstead in Art Attack kicked down that door and made art accessible, relevant and pertinent to everyone, not just those with pedigrees.

This is the second reason this show should continue on. Before Art Attack, I might consider going to the Met to see the plethora masterpieces it has. I might make it a point to see the most well-known artists and study their masterpieces, admiring every brush stroke. But I'd have no connection, context and purpose to the piece.

Now, after seeing Art Attack, I can walk into the Met full confidence and understanding of 5 great pieces of art, AND feel an extraordinary emotional experience in standing before them.

Lee Sandstead takes art and makes it real to the average Joe and he also seems to have a knack for inspiring the viewer to look at art for insights into their own lives and aspirations. I want to see more of this ... I want to see what Lee Sandstead and Art Attack have in store for me in the next episode that could change my life forever!

And I'm also willing to bet, that if the pilot transitions into a regular series curators are going to see an increased attendance in certain wings of their galleries after Lee Sandstead airs his next top 5 picks!

All the critics of this show just go to prove the point - the Art world has been hijacked by a bunch of passionless bores. I'm not an art historian. I don't even like art historians. I'm far more likely to tune into myth-busters to watch them blow stuff up than anything on the travel channel.

Art Attack answers the question most guys have about art: Who gives a crap? Most of the art "experts" are so dull they don't appear to give a crap themselves so why should I? "Museum" and "Boring" have become synonymous.

Lee Sandstead is the complete opposite of all that. He's fired up for art. He gets viewers fired up to. I want to see him do the Louvre and the big Italian museums and maybe some that I've never even heard of.

How can you not be driven to discover more about Art after this show? Lee's passion is tremendous and 180 degrees from the usual critics who attempt to inform and educate, but who often leave you scratching you head ("what did he say?"). If this show leaves you wanting to explore more about art, then it is a big success - and everyone in the art world should celebrate that!

My mother doesn't really understand why I've become an Art Historian, and has never studied anything close to what I do. We watched the pilot together and both her and I love the energy that Lee Sandstead has and the way information was communicated. His passion and excitement for art is contagious. While watching the movie "Charlie Wilson's War", my mom recognized a painting in the background (a first), a Julia Roberts version of Madame X. She turns to me and says, "Isn't that by John Singer Sargent"?

I think it's great the Travel Channel wants to explore art. I've been waiting for something like this for years, and I love the idea that it's enjoyable to people who never studied art- giving people like my mom a chance to appreciate it as well. Keep the show, keep the host. i love it!

I think this program was great in appealing to a general audience and creating an interest in art. Lee discussed things about each piece that we could all relate to - things we will remember - he made it assessable. This isn't something that everyone can do. His enthusiasm was contagious. Loved the graphics!

ok, when do we get to see Art Attack visit the most sacred art holdings, Louvre, Vatican, ect. Your host, Lee Standstead could bring those places into eveyone's home in a way that the average Joe could actually learn something. Lee Sandstead makes a place for art in the hearts of the average guy.
when you go to Paris, have Lee bring along a French worker that shares his passion, a taxi driver, a street clearner, ect. When in Rome do the same. bring in a carbineri, pizza maker. The Italian men love the art of their country, ect. this would amplify your idea.
I really like where these ideas could go. I look forward to more episodes.

Lee Sandstead is definitelythe "Steve Irwin" of the art world: he is knowledgeable about his subject in the extreme and knows how to make art history exciting and fun! What's not to like? His program makes me excited about the idea of seeing great works of art, and, for a change, carrying the context of some really fantastic knowledge along with me!

For you folks out there who feel that Mr Sandstead is "over the top": you are part of the reason why Art is today considered a boring, lifeless, purely intellectual pursuit with no personal rewards whatsoever.

Today, Lee is the only antidote to this kind of attitude - and for my money, he'd be the best anyway. The excitement! The knowledge! And in a museum, for crying out loud!!!

Producers of the Travel Channel: thank you for making this show. If I only get to have the one episode I will consider it worth watching time and time again. But - may I have more, PLEASE??

>For you folks out there who feel that Mr Sandstead is "over the top": you are part of the reason why Art is today considered a boring, lifeless, purely intellectual pursuit with no personal rewards whatsoever.

LOL! I agree 100%. When I studied art history at George Washington University, I felt like the class was little more than slow torture. The slides were yellowed from age and grainy and the instructor spoke as if she thought so highly of herself it was beneath her to even have to teach.

In contrast, when I first heard Lee Sandstead speak, I felt like I was in the middle of the best mystery novel I had ever read. Just how did the Greeks come to discover realism in art? Why are their no books on Evelyn Beatrice Longman? Why was Daniel Chester French one of the last real examples of the Renaissance's impact in art? And most importantly, what role can art play in my life—just why art is fuel for a starved soul.

Through Lee, I discovered exactly what I had been missing for most of my adult life—art that reflected the best humanity has to offer. Gone was the cult of the ugly—in was beauty, strength and passion. Heady stuff? You bet.

I said it once and I'll say it again: the challenge the show's producers will face is living up to Sandstead as a host. I'm dying to see this show go to series and I'm really looking forward to seeing where it goes from there. Hands down I think it will make for some of the best stuff on TV today.