Art Talent Show – 27th Made in Prague Festival

Writer: Adela Komrzy

Directors: Tomas Bojar and Adela Komrzy

Every year, the Academy of Arts in Prague receives hundreds of applications. In a behind-the-scenes documentary, Art Talent Show, Tomas Bojar and Adela Komrzy examine how applicants become students. We follow Academy staff and would-be students as it is determined who will be good enough to secure a place in the Academy’s 2020 intake.

Referred to as “gatekeeping”, the selection process; exams played out over several rounds, is undeniably tough. The purpose of the exams – practical and theory – is to fundamentally challenge the applicant. Questions are flung fast and hard at the artists. The aim is not to puncture the applicant’s spirit, but to test their limits; query firmly-held beliefs, especially when the applicant can’t move beyond the generic. A girl coyly describes her art as “playing with provocation” and a boy rolls out his theory about artists tailoring their career according to market demands. When presented with examples such as Francis Bacon, who definitely did not, he’s not sure how to respond. In narrowing the field, seeing which applicants can broaden their point of view is crucial.

The film quickly identifies a generational divide: it seems art history isn’t the applicants’ strong point, while the tutors are aware of thinking about – and making – art within context. The pivotal question – why make art at all – feels seismic when presented to the young artists. To want to create isn’t enough. The applicants who operate in shock value find their daring ideas are nothing the tutors haven’t seen or heard before. But among the oddities there is an overriding sense of purpose. The documentary’s tone treads a fine line between gently teasing the applicants’ sincerity and acknowledging that the tutors are never looking for the finished article; potential not polish.

The documentary’s focus is not only taking in the intrinsic absurdities of grading art on a curve, but the actual assessments themselves. In a staff meeting, the tutors gather to discuss topics which will form creative inspiration for the practical exams. Kaca has come prepared and reels off a number of eclectic subjects including ‘Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent’ and ‘Running Through the Bush’, which is (very) literally interpreted by one applicant. There’s a neat editorial moment as the film juxtaposes this with the applicants’ ‘motivation letters’. Think wordy and over-earnest, but totally endearing. The film bridges both generations’ difficulty in making creative decisions, and getting it ‘right’ – whatever that looks like.

It is the balance struck, in poking fun at students and staff (including the God-like receptionist perched behind an all-seeing glass window), that makes Art Talent Show so enjoyable. One tutor admits to an applicant that the Academy is “filled with egoists” and he’s not wrong. The film is full of characters, and gives you a flavour of what a life-changing experience studying at the Academy would be. Art Talent Show is not just an affectionate portrait of an institution, it illustrates how making art – good art – is never the easy option. Getting through the door is just the start.

Art Talent Show is screening at the 27th Made in Prague Festival.