Big Brother elevated to art form for Turner Prize

A video artist who is making a documentary about reality TV shows is on the shortlist for this year's Turner Prize.

Phil Collins, one of four artists nominated for modern art's most prestigious prize, has set up a production office at Tate Britain to make the show, called The Return Of The Real. In a move which will revive the debate about whether genuine art is on show at the Turner Prize, Glasgow-based Collins has employed three researchers and producers to make the programme.

It is understood that a press conference will be held next month at Tate Britain, at which Collins will present former contestants from British reality TV shows such as Big Brother or Wife Swap.

Collins has set up a company called Shady Lane Productions to make the programme which will be operational at Tate Britain during the two-month Turner Prize exhibition.

The artist said of his project: "In 50 years, when people look back on this period in terms of the tensions between America and the Middle East, it will be noted that a large proportion of the British population like nothing more than watching people on television, sitting around, doing nothing."

Collins is also submitting a similar documentary he made in Turkey last year where he invited persons who felt their lives had been ruined by reality shows to tell their stories at a press conference.

Tate Britain, which runs the Turner Prize, defended Collins's work. Curator Katharine Stout said: "It's a form of performance art. Contemporary art has a role in questioning and reflecting what happens in our society."

Other works competing for the £25,000 prize includes a series of unfired bronze figures by Rebecca Warren including neon-lit f luff, exploded sculptures showing breasts and phalluses, and work inspired by Degas.

Installationist Mark Titchner has submitted a whirling kinetic sculpture consisting of two spinning discs and a subliminal video screen displaying all Acts passed by Parliament since 1999 that pressure group Liberty has deemed to be infringing upon human rights. His work also includes hand-chiselled machines.

Painter Tomma Abts completes the shortlist. Her abstract works belong to no movement and have no agenda. The German-born artist has said of her paintings: "The forms don't symbolise anything or describe anything. They represent themselves."

The Turner Prize winner will be announced at Tate Britain on 4 December.