Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, February 13, 2013
36
Gah, I seem to be dealing with similar conversations this whole week. What's it with creative people turning out to be rabid bigots?
For example, the author of Ender's Game who is a huge homophobe and vocal supporter of Prop 8, recently got signed on to do a series of Superman comics. Now a bunch of my gay supportive geek friends have been debating in any way supporting this guy's work. Does the bigotry of the artist irreversibly taint the art?
I fell on the side of yes at the beginning. I'm a fan of Black Metal music and I take a real effort to avoid any groups that support Neo-Nazi movements or ideologies (it's a small but annoying vocal part of the genre). I don't want my money going to movements that make this world worse.
However my friends argued that to completely isolate bigots does not cure their bigotry. Also, it can become unwieldy to navigate the cultural landscape while maintaining constant attention to the sympathies of those you encounter.
I'm still not sure what my position on the issue is but based on that article and the comments section the guy sound like a total fucking tool. Unless he has some friends good enough to pull him out of the sewage he's immersed himself in he will only serve to taint others who associate with him.
For example, the author of Ender's Game who is a huge homophobe and vocal supporter of Prop 8, recently got signed on to do a series of Superman comics. Now a bunch of my gay supportive geek friends have been debating in any way supporting this guy's work. Does the bigotry of the artist irreversibly taint the art?
I fell on the side of yes at the beginning. I'm a fan of Black Metal music and I take a real effort to avoid any groups that support Neo-Nazi movements or ideologies (it's a small but annoying vocal part of the genre). I don't want my money going to movements that make this world worse.
However my friends argued that to completely isolate bigots does not cure their bigotry. Also, it can become unwieldy to navigate the cultural landscape while maintaining constant attention to the sympathies of those you encounter.
I'm still not sure what my position on the issue is but based on that article and the comments section the guy sound like a total fucking tool. Unless he has some friends good enough to pull him out of the sewage he's immersed himself in he will only serve to taint others who associate with him.
35
@33: Whaaaat? Art doesn't exist in a vacuum, especially if the art in question is social commentary. You don't have to like the artist or agree with him or whatever to appreciate the skill that went into the art, but the artist and the intent/message behind the pieces are inexorably linked. Intentionally pretending otherwise is willful blindness.
32
Everyone at a party I attended last night kept demanding to know what I was now going to do with my Charles Kraft collection. I love my Delft grenade and intend to keep it: it was bought in a spirit of irony which I found creepy and complex and compelling. I knew Kraft is a disturbing freak after unfortunately engaging with him at a show. I may, however, jettison the plate with a photo of flowers on it that was apparently taken by Hitler, because that is now not much more than abhorrent.
31
@10: I think you're being rather too harsh based purely on subject matter. It's an interesting visual juxtaposition; not only in the fact that it's a rabbit and a knife, but the ceramic style, the somewhat surreal mix of realistic and unrealistic components, and even the cultural associations inherent in the two combined objects. It's macabre and designed for some degree of shock value, yes, but it strikes me as much more intriguing and successful a piece than the somewhat flat pieces you linked, and some people simply like macabre art.
Were it a more realistic piece, with the rabbit reacting to being stabbed or even being rendered in such a way as to look like a real rabbit, calling it "mean spirited" would make more sense. As it is, though, the piece doesn't strike me as having anything directly to do with rabbits at all; it's all about imagery and evocation of clashing emotional responses.
I'm not from the area and not familiar with this particular artist, so my interpretation may be way off, but speaking as someone who would gladly display the piece in my home, that's how it appears to me.
Were it a more realistic piece, with the rabbit reacting to being stabbed or even being rendered in such a way as to look like a real rabbit, calling it "mean spirited" would make more sense. As it is, though, the piece doesn't strike me as having anything directly to do with rabbits at all; it's all about imagery and evocation of clashing emotional responses.
I'm not from the area and not familiar with this particular artist, so my interpretation may be way off, but speaking as someone who would gladly display the piece in my home, that's how it appears to me.
30
Also what happened to that other slog post about the discussion in the comments/facebook at the piece? Was I just imagining things.
27
Now I want to know what Terry thinks, since he chose the piece. Is this art less worthy because the artist appers to be a bad person? Or because the image is disturbing?
25
@21, and I was going to channel my late mother's insistence that a mantel is only properly called that when an actual fireplace is beneath. The sunlight on these objects suggests this what my mama would be willing to call a "mantelpiece" at most.
But for all I know Dan's takes after the famous mantel of the old Hollywood roué Robert Evans. He commissioned a window over his living room mantel, two chimneys venting through the columns either side.
But for all I know Dan's takes after the famous mantel of the old Hollywood roué Robert Evans. He commissioned a window over his living room mantel, two chimneys venting through the columns either side.
23
I like this version of Danny Boy (visuals NSFW due to violence):
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3m5l8_…
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3m5l8_…
22
YOU KNOW: You could sell these at auction, and donate the proceeds to some pro-humanity charity. Wouldn't that get little Hitler's panties in a twist?
21
BTW, that's your mantel, not your mantle. A mantle is a cloak, or the layer of the earth under the crust. Perhaps the word "lintel" can help you remember which is which.
19
My pearl handled Saturday night special fits nicely in my purse. Trade in that monster, unless you're a size Queen.
17
That revolver reminds us to defend our hard-won independence from the Netherlands.
Thus I'm also reminded of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ882QYzr…
Thus I'm also reminded of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ882QYzr…
16
Nice taste in art Dan, I have admired Krafft's work since I first saw it. I am quite envious of your collection.
15
The Delft revolver should match your teacup set nicely. Did it come with a sugar bowl, creamer and holster?
14
Mothers are like that. Yeah, they are!
Dan, post a video for us of the music box! In the mean time though, here's one of my favorite versions (so far) to tide us over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D…
Dan, post a video for us of the music box! In the mean time though, here's one of my favorite versions (so far) to tide us over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D…
10
I'd love to hear an explanation for the appeal of a ceramic rabbit with a knife in its back. To me, that's violent, mean-spirited, tasteless etc etc. If shock and thought provoking is what you want, I recommend Krafft's "Forgiveness" series.
http://www.charleskrafft.com/?p=253
http://www.charleskrafft.com/?p=253
8
My wife (beloved troll annoyer Lissa) is so going to covet that rabbit. The made by crazy holocaust denier may put her off a bit though. That S&W in the presentation case behind it, yeah we’re both going to covet that. Damn I hate it when people with ugly, repulsive beliefs make beautiful things I want to own. The cognitive dissonance it burns, it burns.
5
Dan, what did that ceramic rabbit ever do to you?
How the fuck long does it take to dust all your knick-knacks anyway?
How the fuck long does it take to dust all your knick-knacks anyway?
4
The problem here of course is that, while these pieces (I'm guessing the gun is from the "Disasterware" series?) don't include all the Nazi-symbolism, they are still quite clearly Cross' work.
OTOH, apparently Hitler's pre-Nazi art sells for more than one might expect, so there may still be a market for Cross after this blows over.
OTOH, apparently Hitler's pre-Nazi art sells for more than one might expect, so there may still be a market for Cross after this blows over.
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