Find the Next Great Artist’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Source: MTV
During MTV’s inception in 1981, the network showcased the art form of music videos, with The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” being the first to achieve mainstream exposure. From then until the late ’90s, the network focused on sharing music videos of all genres.
MTV has since introduced a new art form: reality TV. Viewers miss the days when music videos reigned supreme, but people have adjusted to their new normal.
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MTV’s flair for trendsetters hasn’t gone unnoticed by its viewers. So it’s not surprising that the network is going back to its roots in a way and has chosen to showcase art through the new documentary competition series The Exhibition: Finding the Next Great Artist.
The show, which will be hosted by a journalist and an on-air personality, Dometi Pongofeatures seven artists competing for $100,000 and an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
So who is Dometi Pongo? In an exclusive interview with TurnDometi has been candid about landing the hosting gig and how the docu-competition series has changed his perception of art and life.
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Source: Getty Images
Dometi Pongo is an award-winning journalist, speaker and presenter working for MTV, Sirius XM, The Smithsonian Channel and others.
Deciding to focus on social justice as a journalist is not an easy task. It not only comes with the requirement of compassion, knowledge and belonging, but also involves uncompromisingly pushing the needle on controversial issues that need to be discussed.
Here, award-winning journalist and on-air personality Dometi Pongo leads the field.
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Over the years, the 31-year-old Chicago native has used his love of pop culture and passion for social issues to build a successful career. In addition to red carpet events, Dometi hosts MTV’s documentary series real life crimes, MTV News You have to knowand various programs on the Smithsonian Channel, including conversations in context, addressing key moments in black history.
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Although Dometi’s resume speaks for itself, his most recent appearance as the host of MTV and the Smithsonian Channels joint series, The Exhibition: Finding the Next Great Artist, serves as an honor in itself, even if he admits he didn’t feel prepared for it at first.
While Dometi was “thrilled and super excited” to be on the show, he said he was a little upset by the last-minute announcement.
“Sometimes things go so fast in production. I got a call about two days before the first shoot,” Dometi said exclusively Turn. “I love art, I love black art, I love street art, I love things that just make me happy. But I don’t have the basic knowledge of European art or what counts as fine art. So I would have liked to have taken some time to familiarize myself with it.”
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Source: MTV
Interestingly, it was intentional that Dometi entered the room somewhat blindly. Dometi recalls a conversation with a producer who explained that his artistic knowledge reflects the mindset of the ordinary person watching the show.
“She says, ‘No, that’s the gift. They can serve as proxies for the layman, the ordinary, everyday person who asks, “Why is this piece compelling? Why does that matter?’” Dometi told us.
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Source: MTV
Dometi Pongo shares that Jennifer Warren’s article on gender norms hit the mark and changed the way he thinks.
In the premiere episode, all seven artists were commissioned to create art inspired by their take on gender norms. native Chicagoan Jennifer Goodsa talented oil painter, won the challenge.
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Interestingly, before creating the piece, Jennifer had an interesting conversation with her mother about gender norms in her family as a black woman, which spawned a deeper conversation on social media. And for Dometi, Jennifer’s story and artwork made him look back on his upbringing and worldview.
“I’m the youngest of three and I have two older sisters,” Dometi explained. “There’s a way I, my older and middle sisters have moved through the world that I think is partly due to the gender dynamics in our upbringing.”
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Dometi added, “When she drew this, it made me think about how this works [gender norms] are at play in my life. Both in a positive and in a negative way. And how do I use my position to make room for others where it played out in a non-progressive way?”
Aside from Jennifer’s piece, Dometi explained that other artworks displayed throughout the season caused him to reflect on his life.
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Dometi shared that “while art is subjective, it is only subjective up to a certain point”. As the spectators watch The Exhibition: Finding the Next Great ArtistDometi hopes that people will understand that “acquiring art doesn’t have to be a mystical, intimidating process and appreciating art doesn’t have to be an intimidating process for the average person”.
As Dometi’s accomplice and chief judge Melissa Chiu says, this show is all about “radical accessibility.”
Catch new episodes of The Exhibition: Finding the Next Great Artist Fridays at 10 p.m. EST on MTV.
https://www.distractify.com/p/dometi-pongo-the-exhibit-finding-the-next-great-artist Find the Next Great Artist’ (EXCLUSIVE)