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News & ArtsMonday, June 22, 2009
Visual Art Not Helping
Posted by Jen Graves on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 11:38 AM
This is a painting at the National Portrait Gallery, intended to honor the founder of the Special Olympics. It had an unveiling and everything. The artist, David Lenz, portrays the founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, along with SO participants, including Lenz's son.
But does anybody else see the problem here?
THIS painting?
What, the people of the "differently abled" community don't have enough trouble without a retarded painting representing them? This is TERRIBLE!
1
retarded? sorry, but that term went out decades ago - in actual practice, most of our measures involve varying different scales - technically, it is possible to have someone with high levels of artistic/painting skills have various impediments like autism, physical or motor impacts, and so on.
2
Here's to calling out bad art when you see it. Thank you. It's a personal peeve of mine that all art is "of equal value". Nope. Some art is bad, lame, intellectually unengaging, or sloppy.
3
I see what you did there, you cunt faggot nigger. Oh, what, those words are deeply offensive to you, even in jest?
What, the people of the "differently abled" community don't have enough trouble without a retarded painting representing them?
4
So she's leading the retards to the beach to drown them? Or am I reading this wrong? Anyhow, love the midget William H. Macy. He's a nice touch.
5
What is your problem Jen? Are you trying to say you don't like the painting?
Can you speak about it, or are you going to do a Charles Mudede and expect everyone to read your mind?
And you really ought to stop using "retarded" especially on a subject like this. It shows how ignorant and stupid you are ---- not good qualities....
Can you speak about it, or are you going to do a Charles Mudede and expect everyone to read your mind?
And you really ought to stop using "retarded" especially on a subject like this. It shows how ignorant and stupid you are ---- not good qualities....
6
But you realize it is SO BAD it is GOOD. I've seen way worse. But I also shop for art at thrift stores and I <3 the OBAMA Room at Cafe Racer. Some of us just prefer ugly art. You are obviously not hip enough to realize the value.
7
Cannot see what you're referencing. Or is it like never wear pearls to the beach?? ritardando = gradually slowing in tempo...
8
Apparently they're all about to be sucked into a giant alien vortex of some sort, which the girl to the left is communicating with.
10
Whaaat the fuck? That is horrible on so many levels. I can't wait to see MOBA and the OBAMA room get in a bidding war over it.
And please, ask Dan: the proper term for this painting is "leotarded."
And please, ask Dan: the proper term for this painting is "leotarded."
11
@1: Don't be a retard, she was using the word to contrast "differently abled" while making a point. There's a big difference between being differently abled and being retarded. Everyone knows and understands this, just like "lame" and "handicapped" aren't the same (anymore), and "lame" is used in ways that does not reflect on handicapped people. This is how language evolves. Retard.
13
I love how will in seattle has become the new troll. He is the new douchewaffle around here. I wonder what he does when he isn't pissing people off.
14
Wow, you're right about the painting... holy crap. Many levels of badness there, all in excess of the "hipness" that Andy perceives. A trivial point (but one that distracts so much) is the fact that the little girl's disability seems to be that she has no bones in her giant arm -- like those waving balloon men at car dealers -- and that the fingers spring directly from said arm without the bother of a hand.
15
@11 you are a fucking asshole. that's as bad as the people that say, "i dont have a problem with black people. there are niggers and then there are black people" or substitute nigger for faggot and black for gay. look, I'm as guilty as anyone of using the word "retarded" I'm a child of the 80s afterall, but it's still not cool
18
not only is that painting retarded, it's gay AND retarded...
The Overly PC Police Department is also lame and dumb...
The Overly PC Police Department is also lame and dumb...
19
@15 and others ...
Get over yourselves.
Retard was an insult to the mentally able because "retard" means slow. Which is why it stopped being used as a term for the "mentally able." Therefore how is using it as an insult, like calling someone an Asshole, so incredibly offensive. As long as you are not directing the term at someone that is mentally able right? An insult is an insult is an insult. If you want to entirely weed insults out of your righteous vocabulary than go for it, but don't place your moral dilemmas on everyone else.
Besides, you can say other things and have the same venom behind your stabs. Like you calling @ 11 an asshole, sure sounded like you really wanted to tell her how superior you are because you don't have "retard" in your vocabulary anymore.
Just because the high and mighty PC police have taken it out of their vocab doesn't mean other words, with the same intended meaning, haven't already replaced it. Like "Mental" that's a big one making a comeback in the insult vocab these days.
Get over yourselves.
Retard was an insult to the mentally able because "retard" means slow. Which is why it stopped being used as a term for the "mentally able." Therefore how is using it as an insult, like calling someone an Asshole, so incredibly offensive. As long as you are not directing the term at someone that is mentally able right? An insult is an insult is an insult. If you want to entirely weed insults out of your righteous vocabulary than go for it, but don't place your moral dilemmas on everyone else.
Besides, you can say other things and have the same venom behind your stabs. Like you calling @ 11 an asshole, sure sounded like you really wanted to tell her how superior you are because you don't have "retard" in your vocabulary anymore.
Just because the high and mighty PC police have taken it out of their vocab doesn't mean other words, with the same intended meaning, haven't already replaced it. Like "Mental" that's a big one making a comeback in the insult vocab these days.
21
Assholes work very hard for very little compensation...quit denigrating the asshole, and show them some love.
And, that painting IS an abomination...
And, that painting IS an abomination...
24
For those of us who work with individuals who have developmental disablities, your language is not helping. All i know is that i am sick and tired of reading about DD folks getting raped, beaten, exploited and harassed. When you use the word "retard" in a pejorative sense, you feed right into the notion that DD individuals are less than human. If you already know this, and dont' care and want to keep using that word, then YOU are the one with the problem, and you need to get your head checked.
25
I think Jen meant that the painting has been treated with fire retardant. As we all know, one of the exciting things about paintings is their flammable, hence ephemeral, nature. Therefore one that has been made flame retardant has lost that spark of danger. And why would one want a retarded painting, one lacking its ephemeral and dangerous nature, representing them?
Or she just meant the damn thing is ugly and looks like it was painted by Trig.
Or she just meant the damn thing is ugly and looks like it was painted by Trig.
26
I feel bad for everyone involved. I could do better in Photoshop. And I don't even have Photoshop.
27
@11 and @19 -- a simple test to see if something is hitting a nerve is to ask the people who are involved --- here "retardrd" folks.
The American Asociation on Mental Retardation just changed its name to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities because enough people with these diabilties said they found "retard" offensive.
And language does evolve, but "retarded" as an insult hasn't changed yet. It'll be decades before it loses its baggage.
It isn't about being politically correct. It's about being sensitive, clear and allowing self-determination for a specific group of people.
Jen still hasn't said anything about the painting except that she thinks it's awful. That is being a learned art critic???
And @25 --- shut up.
The American Asociation on Mental Retardation just changed its name to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities because enough people with these diabilties said they found "retard" offensive.
And language does evolve, but "retarded" as an insult hasn't changed yet. It'll be decades before it loses its baggage.
It isn't about being politically correct. It's about being sensitive, clear and allowing self-determination for a specific group of people.
Jen still hasn't said anything about the painting except that she thinks it's awful. That is being a learned art critic???
And @25 --- shut up.
29
"differently abled" is the stupidest phrase ever. isn't everyone in the universe differently abled?
30
I think Michael Jackson's upset that he didn't have this thing commissioned with himself in Ms. Shriver's place.
31
Truly a horrible "painting." I can't get over the vampiric leer/smile on Eunice's face. Creepy. Like she's going to suck the life energy out of the guy on the right.
32
So what about "idiots", "imbeciles", and "morons"? They were all once used to describe particular levels of mental age, but I imagine they've fallen out of general use in any context except to insult general stupidity.
35
It doesn't matter what you call people with mental problems, that term will become an insult:
"What are you, a moron?"
"What are you, retarded?"
"What are you, special?"
"What are you, differently-abled?"
See how that works? The term is an insult precisely because it started life as a euphemism for 'idiot'. You can ban 'retard' but whatever term is chosen to replace it will be used in exactly the same way 'retard' is.
Language police cannot change this simple fact.
"What are you, a moron?"
"What are you, retarded?"
"What are you, special?"
"What are you, differently-abled?"
See how that works? The term is an insult precisely because it started life as a euphemism for 'idiot'. You can ban 'retard' but whatever term is chosen to replace it will be used in exactly the same way 'retard' is.
Language police cannot change this simple fact.
37
@32 and @35 --- Context is everything. Inject some gradation into meaning and tings will become more interesting.
See how far you can get using common words like "white" ---- That's mighty white of you!
See how far you can get using common words like "white" ---- That's mighty white of you!
39
"Brown" friends?
Really?
If I was "brown" and your friend, I'd have to de-friend you and probably beat the crap out of you.
Really?
If I was "brown" and your friend, I'd have to de-friend you and probably beat the crap out of you.
41
"Moron." "Imbecile." "Retard." Would you folks please stop talking about Charles behind his back?
43
"See how that works? The term is an insult precisely because it started life as a euphemism for 'idiot'. You can ban 'retard' but whatever term is chosen to replace it will be used in exactly the same way 'retard' is.
Language police cannot change this simple fact. "
"Idiot" is also a term not used anymore in the same manner.
Language police cannot change this simple fact. "
"Idiot" is also a term not used anymore in the same manner.
44
@ 28 ftw! I thought the same exact thing at first. I actually had to look at it several times to realize it wasn't.
45
I have seen the painting in person at the National Portrait Gallery. It is really quite stunning and a fitting tribute to Kennedy Shriver's work.
46
@38 - when I was a little kid in Texas, that's what they were called.
And no, not the current "brown", this is the one you used to call "black".
Terms change. But face it, you just wanted an excuse to say bad things about someone who isn't like you.
Is it good art? No. That's the jury that messed that choice up.
And no, not the current "brown", this is the one you used to call "black".
Terms change. But face it, you just wanted an excuse to say bad things about someone who isn't like you.
Is it good art? No. That's the jury that messed that choice up.
47
Jen Graves (the original post), The artist’s son is in fact not in the painting. How do you expect us to take seriously your opinion when you cannot get even the most basic facts correct?
I too have seen the painting in person, and it is a sensitive and moving tribute to a truly great person, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It is clear from @4, @16, @18, @25 that there are a lot of people out there who still don’t understand, it is clear you don’t have an ounce of compassion or kindness in your souls.
I too have seen the painting in person, and it is a sensitive and moving tribute to a truly great person, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It is clear from @4, @16, @18, @25 that there are a lot of people out there who still don’t understand, it is clear you don’t have an ounce of compassion or kindness in your souls.
48
@8, That “alien vertex” is actually God looking down upon the earth. (The Halo around the sun represents God, get it?) So everyone getting sucked into that would be a good thing. The young girl on the left sees it, recognizes it, and is trying to get you to understand too. That would mean she is a sort of a prophet, and you seem to be “blind” to her message.
Before criticizing something, you really should take just a minute to try to understand it, or you make yourself look like a fool.
Before criticizing something, you really should take just a minute to try to understand it, or you make yourself look like a fool.
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