ArtStars* 40 - RICHARD KERN

You don't need to tell us.
We've gained a reputation in the Toronto art world, which is why we're spreading our wings and venturing out on a world tour this summer. But in the meantime, we interviewed New York portrait photographer and filmmaker Richard Kern, who was in town earlier this month for a retrospective at STUDIO Gallery, which closes on Sunday.
We were told specifically by curator Rafi Ghanaghounian "to be nice" and to "take it easy on this one." We did. We showed him our tits.
Kern is a pervert -- or so he tells us.
The 56-year-old artist who shoots dazed-out, Lolita-esque teenagers has directed music videos for Sonic Youth and Marilyn Manson, maintains a sleazy porn site and has been followed by Vice magazine's channel, VBS.
Kern did a casting call in Toronto asking for girls who have "the Kern look" to apply. But what does that mean? One rejected applicant observes he doesn't like pussy Mohawks, or girls who are too skinny.
Whatever the "Kern look" is, we don't have it either -- although he photographed us (later he told us we "forced him" to do so on camera for the episode), he told us we wear too much makeup, he doesn't like dyed hair and to always arrive in your "hottest" outfit (definitely not a bedazzled jean jumpsuit).
We contacted him through his website and got our photo. Since then? We've cut out the ice cream sandwiches, started exercising and are keeping it blonde, thank you very much, as all divas do.

http://artstarstv.com/
Host and co-producer: Nadja Sayej
Editor and co-producer: Krzysztof Pospieszynski
Camera: Chris Yurkovich
Art Director: Jakob Pospieszynski
MO ArtStars*
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*SNAP*

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[linoleumbreathmint]

omg... petra. 

[MrNicholas81]

@rtgprd I think when Richard Kern decides to put his photos up on a wall in a public space and has invites printed encouraging the public to come see them, thats pretty much an invitation for people to come in and judge the work.. have you ever been to an art gallery before? Thats sort of the idea...

[BlueRosebuds]

Well, opinions against a situation are as valid as those for it, aren't they? And what if it had been a hot chick doing the interviews, would that then be ok?

[rtgprd]

of course the curator is afraid of you (you in singular!) ugly bitch! what gives you the right to judge mr. kern's brilliant work.. you are fucking ugly!

[91000Barnabys]

I love your do's and dont's.

[dpd326]

hipster bullshit

[1kpop1]

no snaps!