Arte series 'Die Akademie' criticized for shallow art school portrayal

Camilla Guttner's series 'Die Akademie', airing on Arte on July 10 and available until October 7 in the Arte-Mediathek, follows new art student Jojo (Maja Bons) as she encounters eccentric professors and scheming peers. The show has been criticized for its conventional painting and lack of artistic depth, despite Guttner's own studies at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste München. The plot includes Jojo's breakup, indie concerts, and caring for her sick grandmother, with a cameo by Swiss singer Dagobert. The series opts for safe TV aesthetics rather than the trashy nightmare it could have been. A sympathetic twist sees Jojo rejecting quick gallery success to remain resistant, hinting at a deeper understanding of art production, but the film ultimately feels more like a high-school drama than a genuine exploration of art.