Occasionally someone meets Norman Korpi and says this: "Wow, I can't believe you're a real artist."It's a sad commentary on "reality television" - a format Korpi helped launch in 1992 when he appeared on MTV's first season of "The Real World."
People often assume the show's producers made up his background and art credentials, says Korpi, 42, of Los Angeles. "People thought it was all fake."
Then again, the producers did fudge some facts, Korpi says. They made it sound like he was an aspiring artist instead of a successful one with his own clothing line. And they called him bisexual when he was very much gay - a move he says the network made to appease advertisers (Korpi was one of the country's first gay TV personalities).
"They just kind of wanted to spin it the way they wanted to spin it," he says.
Korpi is, in fact, a real artist. An exhibit of his recent art opens Saturday at Howl Gallery in downtown Fort Myers. Gallery owner Andy Howl knows Korpi from their hometown in Williamston, Mich. - a place where Korpi's murals decorated the high school's halls, and where he had the reputation as one of the best young artists in town.
"He was gifted from day one," Howl says.
The exhibit features Korpi's newest work inspired by the environment, numerology, astronomy and playing cards.
"Honey Bee," for example, shows a stylized bee painted on papier-maché with synthetic paint - including a metal-based pigment he allowed to rust.
The painting is meant as a comment on the ailing world environment. As nature's great pollinators die, they leave the future of mankind uncertain.
"I'm trying to choose iconic images - things in our world that our rusting and dematerializing in front of our eyes," Korpi says.
The series is only the latest in a long line of creative work since Korpi appeared on "The Real World." He worked for an ad agency. He helped found the Gay Entertainment Television network. And in 2003, he released a reality-show parody called "The Wedding Video."
Despite the false notes struck by producers and editors, Korpi says he joined "The Real World" for positive reasons. He wanted to show that - straight or gay - you can follow your own muse.
"I just wanted to portray something that was true," he says.
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If You Go
What: Norman Korpi art exhibit
When: Opens Saturday with a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. The artist will appear at a second reception 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, during Art Walk. The exhibit continues through Oct. 21.
Where: Howl Gallery, 1514 Broadway, Unit 1, downtown Fort Myers
Admission: Free
Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sunday by appointment
Info: Go to howlgallery.com or call 332-0161. For more in Korpi, go to normankorpi.com
News-Press Article By Charles Runnells
article link: http://www.news-press.com/article/20090918/ENT/909180345/1054
