The “The Hills” As Art

I can’t quite tell you why, but I was pretty darn addicted to MTV’s “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills,” and, to a lesser degree, “The City.” Nothing ever actually happened on these shows and the conversations and “characters” were basically the opposite of fascinating, but maybe it was their incredible blandness that made it hard to turn away. I think I am going overboard trying to justify this particular  habit — I just like TV that temporarily lobotomizes me. Artist Karin Bubas is probably on my wavelength, because she’s created these portraits of “The Hills” stars at their most, um, poignant. I kind of dig the soft focus glow of them — they remind me of the ’80s Sweet Valley High book covers. I’m not saying I’m planning on buying one, but if someone gave me the drawing of Lauren with the single mascara-tainted tear stain on her cheek, I would make a space on my wall for it. [Karin Bubas via Buzzfeed]