Redemption Inc., episode 6: art is the new crack
Redemption Inc. is getting serious: only five contestants remain and the challenges are becoming fancy (we guess Kevin O’Leary has decided the ex-cons are now fit to mix in with society). From $23,000 photographs and high-end galleries to mysterious orange cocktails and rich cougars, this week’s episode was all class. We also met our favourite boss of the season, a candid gallery owner who dares to butt heads with Kevin and compares art to crack. Check out all the details—and find out how Jeff did—after the jump.
The ex-cons looked especially nervous as they lined up under a huge metal installation in the Olga Korper Gallery—we wonder if the looming chain is dredging up bad memories of the clink, but it turns out just to be anxiety about dealing with rich folk in this week’s challenge. “I’ve never really stepped into that world of elegance,” said team leader Brian, evidently imagining art buyers as monocle and top hat-wearing snobs. Luckily, their boss, Olga Korper, turns out to be a very cool lady in possession of purple hair and a totally unpretentious attitude. She tells them selling art is the same thing as selling drugs because “we’re all addicted to the stuff.” (We’re addicted to Olga! Can she please come back next week?) Also, this sounds like the perfect career move for ex-crack house operator Alia.
Since the challenge is not on a boat, in a park, or in Mississauga, Kevin O’Leary deigns to show up, and he buys $35,000 worth of art with an airy wave of the hand (we get it, man, you’re rich). Meanwhile, Sam is charming the cougars (“You said you’re in your sixties? That’s the new forties.”), while Adam’s sales pitch seems to involve bringing people glasses of water. Only Jeff is struggling and we resort to yelling instructions at the screen: Stop telling people you’re an artist! Why are you wearing jeans? Please don’t roll up your pants to show the tattoo you did on yourself! Alas, he fails to heed our advice, which makes the elimination scene nerve-wracking. Thankfully, Adam’s conniving gets him sent home over Jeff (but not before Olga chides Kevin for only thinking about money—seriously, can she stay forever?).
• Number of times someone was accused of stealing sales, a.k.a. “cutting the grass”: 5
• Number of times we were nervous about the ex-cons dropping a piece of art: 4
• Number of pieces of art bought by Kevin O’Leary: 3
• Number of times patrons of the arts said patronizing things about ex-cons: 5
• Number of glasses of soda water Adam carried: 9
• Number of times we wanted to hang out with Olga: 451
. From $23,000 photographs and high-end galleries to mysterious orange cocktails and rich cougars, this week’s episode was all class. We also met our favourite boss of the season, a candid gallery owner who dares to butt heads with Kevin and compares art to crack. Check out all the details—and find out how Jeff did—after the jump.
The ex-cons looked especially nervous as they lined up under a huge metal installation in the Olga Korper Gallery—we wonder if the looming chain is dredging up bad memories of the clink, but it turns out just to be anxiety about dealing with rich folk in this week’s challenge. “I’ve never really stepped into that world of elegance,” said team leader Brian, evidently imagining art buyers as monocle and top hat-wearing snobs. Luckily, their boss, Olga Korper, turns out to be a very cool lady in possession of purple hair and a totally unpretentious attitude. She tells them selling art is the same thing as selling drugs because “we’re all addicted to the stuff.” (We’re addicted to Olga! Can she please come back next week?) Also, this sounds like the perfect career move for ex-crack house operator Alia.
Since the challenge is not on a boat, in a park, or in Mississauga, Kevin O’Leary deigns to show up, and he buys $35,000 worth of art with an airy wave of the hand (we get it, man, you’re rich). Meanwhile, Sam is charming the cougars (“You said you’re in your sixties? That’s the new forties.”), while Adam’s sales pitch seems to involve bringing people glasses of water. Only Jeff is struggling and we resort to yelling instructions at the screen: Stop telling people you’re an artist! Why are you wearing jeans? Please don’t roll up your pants to show the tattoo you did on yourself! Alas, he fails to heed our advice, which makes the elimination scene nerve-wracking. Thankfully, Adam’s conniving gets him sent home over Jeff (but not before Olga chides Kevin for only thinking about money—seriously, can she stay forever?).
• Number of times someone was accused of stealing sales, a.k.a. “cutting the grass”: 5
• Number of times we were nervous about the ex-cons dropping a piece of art: 4
• Number of pieces of art bought by Kevin O’Leary: 3
• Number of times patrons of the arts said patronizing things about ex-cons: 5
• Number of glasses of soda water Adam carried: 9
• Number of times we wanted to hang out with Olga: 451){kind=link}
Hi Frances,
We loved your article, and would like to extend an invitation for you to please come join us for cappuccino and cookies at the gallery whenever you’re free. Please call anytime, 416.538.8220
Olga
I’ll state the obvious first. Adam’s time was up. He was causing too much friction and is simply a cut below the four that are left.
I agree that Jeff broke rules of etiquette but I sense he just wanted to show he knows something about the business (though showing his leg was unnecessary).
One thing I did not agree with was Kevin showing up and effectively giving an advantage by buying the expensive stock, then chastising Alia for not selling enough. Of course he couldn’t base his decision on ‘metrics’ when he pulls that stunt.
Sam is still the star of this show and the favourite to win this but why do I get a sense the show is being set up for Alia to win?
Mr O’Leary
The decision to fire Adam was not just. Adam and Jeff were at equeal status when it came for your decision. But Adam had more sales, he should have stayed followed your more important criteria, MONEY. Further more Adam had to share two sales and the one with Samuel was Adam’s. That would have put Adam second or first in sales. Also you did not go see Adam first as he had requested.
If he is not like by the others just because he used to be a prison guard. Before Adam informed them, he was part of the “gang”. Now he has to suffer for the “code” immate have. If they want the general population to forgive them and forget what they did, they should do to same.
just because adam went to kevin first doesn’t mean the others can’t try to sell to him too. theyre not in 6th grade calling “dibs” on potential customers. besides kevin didnt even go to adam like he requested. im glad he’s gone. go alia
I’m addicted to Olga Korper! Does she have any other businesses for more episodes!
I agree it’s about the numbers. There is another number, number of clients in a business. Ms. Korper saw something in Alia, even though Alia sold the least, Ms. Korper still stated her case for Alia.
Remember the client’s wishes.
New Artist Find: Inc.is very good song.
Review: http://www.bitcandy.com/newFinds/newFindDedicated/new-artists-inc