Good day fellow members!
This is my first post in this forum and It will certainly not be my last. I’m from South Africa, and a school student here recently displayed the works of art as seen in the link below as his/her admission for what I understand is their art thesis or a general exhibition.
https://zululandobserver.co.za/201572/watch-grantleigh-scholars-artwork-...
The comments are, expectedly, very much against the way the art depicts god, and torn up pieces of bibles were also used to form part of it.
What is your take on the matter? Art is expressive, and it should be able to explore controversial subject matter, but do you think this is a bit extreme? Where is the line between expression and just pure disrespect to someone’s
beliefs? Would this type of art be acceptable in a more neutral platform? This is, after all, a school.
I’m interested to hear your thoughts.
Thanks guys!
Edit: I failed to mention it was a video, and a very small part of the video is in Afrikaans, but 95% is in English.
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@Cleanfader: I saw what appeared to be some sculls among bits of paper for a moment and then some man speaking. If it is skulls and bits of bible, it makes sense to me. Religions have killed millions. I really like the last supper.
I think the guy has a great idea. If you don't like it,,, "Don't come to the school."
Guy is a religious idiot. How much is the Last Supper selling for? Is it on paper or canvas. Charcoal, pencil, ink?
"What does it teach our children about the greatness of god? What does it teach our children to fear god?"
Those were in the summation of the commentator near the very end.
The problem is that (please correct me if I am incorrect) that Grantleigh is an independent christian school.
Personally, I appreciate the inventiveness of your friend's work, and how it provokes thought. And I am confident in believing that the majority of parents in this school do not want to appreciate such art. Unfortunately, your friend just pissed into the wind.
I mentor some eracers, and one thing I tell them is to pick and choose your fights. Your friend just picked a fight at the wrong time and with the wrong people.
@Cognostic: I cannot say, as I am in now way affiliated to the artist- but I’m sure they’d be willing to sell it if the price was right XD
@David Killens: I do not know the artist at all, and I also do not carry any information about the school self- it was a link that a cousin of mine shared on a WhatsApp group.
I am going to assume that this body of work forms part of an assignment where the lecturer (or teacher) wanted students interpretation of a particular subject. Regardless of the subject, though, it may not be a good idea to rip up bibles considering the vast majority of people see it as sacred.
I couldn’t care less- I appreciate the art for what it is. Being an artist myself, I can appreciate It purely on the merit of the skill required to do so.
If the artist wanted to provoke a reaction out of people, then mission accomplished, but considering the person is a student in a school that (apparently) advocates Christian values, it may not have been the best place to do it.
It will have adverse consequences to the student and he or she will surely be subject to predujice from other students, parents and School staff alike... possibly public since it has made its rounds in local news outlets
I like it, it is good art, but it is also provocative. It will guarantee a reaction.
Good art does that, it provokes the viewer to stop, look, and think.
@ Cognostic. I did a Google for "ronald mcdonald as god" and found some of those pics.
Ronald MacDonald as God at the last supper. That is an artistic statement if ever I saw one. Unfortunately, the artist should not have used the figure of Ronald. A clown of her own should have been used. IMO. I would not put RMD on a wall in my home. I didn't get a good look at it the first time I guess/ I still like the idea and of course I'm curious to the other characters.
I'd like to see Ronald MacDonald with Jesus, Buddah, Krishna, Muhamad, Xenu, Joseph Smith, Zarathustra, Martin Luther, Saint Paul, Tin Man, Bat Man, and a waitress from Hooters.
(Before reading other replies.)
Re: Artwork in link
WHERE CAN I BUY SOME OF THOSE PICTURES? I didn't watch the whole video, but the few drawings I saw were awesome and hilarious.... LMAO... And the guy giving the "tour" really needs to take a chill pill... *chuckle*...
By the way, welcome to the AR, Cleanfader! In case you haven't noticed, I am a big fan of that type of art... *chuckle*...
" Where is the line between expression and just pure disrespect to someone’s beliefs? "
In art there are no "lines" …… nor should there be …… to paraphrase Sir Terry Pratchett …..
the space between an art work and the viewers eyes is a holy place and officialdom should trample all over it at their peril …..
if the viewer is offended then he/she can look away ….. no-one has the right not to be offended.
If its the religious portrayals that disturb …
I suggest you check out the images of the works of Heronimus Bosch
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=heronimus+bosch&FORM=HDRSC2
@watchman Re: "if the viewer is offended then he/she can look away ….. no-one has the right not to be offended"
BINGO! Very nicely put. Bravo!... *clapping*...
We have a saying in Oz ; "get over yerself", which I'd aim at the 'upset' (read 'hysterical') gentleman.
I can't claim to like a lot of modern art, and seldom understand performance art. However, I do not set myself up as a judge on what is art, or good or bad art.
He's upset? So fucking what ? He can complain, remove his child, that's his right. However, he doesn't get to decide anything for other people.
The artist would probably be pleased at such an hysterical reaction to his art. I paint , and would be thrilled to have such a reaction to something I had produced. People who see my stuff are usually far too polite to say anything.
I agree with you all, in that artistic expression shouldn’t be stifled- especially on account of people’s personal opinions.
South Africa, much like America, has a terrible past with racism (apartheid ended 1994, but apartheid of the mind is still prevalent in many)
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.timeslive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2...
The above link treads on similar grounds in that this artist had created a work that quite literally says “F*** white people”
The equality court actually ruled it to be artistic expression and not as hate speech- you can read the article for more information. How do you feel about this piece? Do you (I’m directing this to people of the relevant race) find this to be offensive? If you do, would you also accept that it is “artistic expression”? What if you understood the artists symbolism and had more context, would you be open to accepting the piece then?
You, as an opened minded group of individuals, very well May accept it, but the vast majority of the population would probably find it offensive.
In summation, it’s not as clear cut when the subject matter hits home, in that, it actually relates to you. Again, I stress that I am in favour of artistic expression, but the artist does have to understand that the backlash is real. Should a student risk subjecting themselves to this type of attacks?
The best art is always controversial, imo.
@Gotta Agree. Fuck white people is not hate speech. It may be ignorant and bigoted and it might have come from a place of hate but the simple expression "Furck white people." Is not hate. The expression is so general that no direct target can be identified. "Fuck" is not a direct threat of any kind. "Fuck white people" is little more that a personal opinion. Everyone is entitled to have one and free speech says they are allowed to express it. Another's freedom of speech is my freedom of speech. If we limit others, we are only asking for our own expressions of the freedom of speech to be limited. Tolerate what you can. When you can not tolerate it. walk away. If you are prevented from walking away, NOW YOU HAVE SOMEONE ENGAGED IN HATE.
I am not a fan of rap, although I do understand it is a form of expression, thus art. I may not understand it, or agree with the lyrics. In fact, some lyrics definitely offend me. But I understand it is the artist's right to say what they say.
But I don't get in a huff and demand retaliation, I just don't listen to rap.
Heck, Michelangelo's, “The Last Judgement,” painted on the ceiling of the Vatican was controversial.
@David Killens: Lying sack of shit. I've got the video. 029.
Davld Killens recently escaped from authorities while at a pool party with his band. They were performing their hit song "You Don't Gnome Me" when David's pet T-rex escaped the fenced in area of the swimming pool, ate half the band members and marred 42 rapping virgins. David, who was reading a book in the bathroom when the GBI arrived on scene, was able to escape out a bathroom window. However, he was caught fleeing the scene on a security cam and the Gnome Bureau of Investigation is currently tracking him down. There is a pot of gold waiting at the end of the rainbow for anyone with information leading to the capture and arrest of David Killens. 1 (800) GPA TROL Thats `800 G patrol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KRpo4ssqnc
WARNING: Suspect may be armed and dangerous.
“You don’t Gnome me”
The pheGnomenals
Yo- ah, this is ja boy Davey “killings it” Killens. How we do. Yo yo
I might say I’m not down with the rap/
But Ill slap, the lyrics hard like bible bashers on attack/
My T-Rex will have you shaking like you’ve seen a ghost/
I’m the book reading shitter- the gnome you fella’s like the most/
From coast to coast, I’m wanted but they’ll never find me/
I’m dodging the bureau as if they’re all walking blindly/
My band and I are so lit we don’t need no lights fool/
Too bad they’re gone now, my T-Rex chowed them at the pool/
But I’m not stressing, Im too busy here impressing/
The ladies with the cladded bikinis, now they’re undressing!/
So It’s a lesson, you better understand this game/
The pot of gold is mine, that, and all the fame/
You don’t gnome me, homey, you’re just a fake G/
Kindly ignore my swagger as I deliberately/
‘Cause a ruckus, fuck this I’ve done this too long to be a wanna be/
I’ve found my band members arm in my pets shit, you wanna come and see?
So I’m out- come find me if you can/
You don’t gnome me- I’m that guy, I’m that man/
@Cleanfader Re: Killens rap
LMAO... Damn, dude, that was great! Hope you hang around awhile. You fit in quite well around here... *chuckle*...
Lovely- thank you for the sentiment. I intend to do just that.
Damn that was great.
Oh shit, now I must respond with my own rap.
Roses are red
Voilets are blue
Jesus sucks
And ...
(jk)
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@David K. Re: Jesus rap poem
Ahhhh... YES! Genius! Minimalist Art. Simple, direct, and very thought provoking. Bravo!... *golf clap*...
Tin-Man, less is more.
Looks like mine was more crap than rap
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